338 TOILERS IN THE SEA. 



Most common of all, is the Spirorbis (belonging 

 to several species, but usually 5. nautiloides\ the 

 little tubes of which, without their tenants, may be 

 seen dotted over nearly every stranded frond or tuft 

 of sea-weed, or dead shell. The tube is chalky white, 

 and coiled round in a spiral, so as to resemble the 

 shell of a tiny mollusk, and its whole diameter 

 scarcely exceeds that of the head of a good-sized pin. 

 If found, whilst still living, the small tuft of branchiae, 

 and tiny operculum, may be distinguished by means 

 of a pocket lens. 1 



Many persons have a feeling of repugnance towards 

 worms, and by them it is possible that the perusal of 

 the present chapter may be omitted. And yet there 

 are more marvels, and mysteries, associated with 

 these despised creatures than we have hinted at. 

 The microscopist, pure and simple, with no special 

 proclivities, will find the study of the bristles an 

 occupation of considerable time and interest. John- 

 ston has devoted several pages to them in his volume, 

 and these merely suggestive, and not exhaustive, 

 which he concludes thus : " Let me ask the naturalist 

 to count the number (of bristles) which may be re- 

 quired to furnish the garniture of a single individual. 

 There are annelids which have five hundred feet on 



1 See Dr. Philippi, " Observations on the Genus Serpula," in 

 "Annals Nat. Hist.," ist series, vol xiv. (1844), p. 153.- 



