334 TOILERS IN THE SEA. 



are seen descending between the roots of the fans 

 towards the trowels, while another organ, perhaps 

 the mouth, is also occupied, it may be in compound- 

 ing the preparation with adhesive matter. Still does 

 the partial or complete revolution of the plume 

 above, and of the body within the tube continue ; 

 the bulk of the muddy mass diminishes, activity 

 abates ; it is succeeded by repose, when the tube is 

 found to have received evident prolongation." 



There is no permanent or organic connexion 

 between the worm and its tube, but the worm never 

 leaves it, except under circumstances which threaten 

 a slow death. Removed from the tube by accident, 

 the tenant cannot reoccupy it, nor reproduce another 

 to cover its nakedness. But it lies exposed, ill at 

 ease, and incapable of any motion beyond a painful 

 writhing ; casts off its ornaments ; becomes weaker, 

 and dies gradually downwards, that is, the lower 

 portion of the body retains life for some time after 

 the upper has been dead, and begun to decompose. 

 But so long as it remains within its tube there is no 

 worm more tenacious of life, nor more richly en- 

 dowed with the power of repairing wounds and 

 losses. The beautiful tufts on the head are occa- 

 sionally cast away, as if they were merely parts of 

 its holiday attire; and the worm replaces them, with 

 marvellous promptitude, with a pair not inferior to 

 the first in beauty. A large proportion of the body 



