430 HOMES WITHOUT HANDS. 



"During these operations the muddy materials are seen descend- 

 ing between the roots of the fans toward the trowels, while another 

 organ, perhaps the mouth, is also occupied, it may be, in com- 

 pounding the preparation with adhesive matter. As the bulk of 

 the muddy mass diminishes, the activity of the worm abates ; it 

 is soon succeeded by repose, and then the tube is found to have 

 received evident prolongation." 



The gill-fans of this species are most lovely, forming a nearly 

 complete funnel by their regularly radiating arrangement, and 

 being colored gorgeously with scarlet, green, brown, and gold. 



Then there is the Funnel Amphitrite {Amphitrite infundi- 

 bulum), so called because the tentacles are so perfect in shape that, 

 when fully spread, they form a circular funnel, in which scarcely 

 the slightest break is perceptible. This funnel is rendered more 

 complete by the curious fact that in each half of the fan the 

 tentacles are united by a delicate and transparent web, reaching 

 nearly to their tips. The prevailing color of these beautiful fans 

 is purple, darkest toward the tips, and changing gradually to 

 chestnut at the base. 



This is not a plentiful species, and is mostly obtained by means 

 of the dredge or drag, which tears up a portion of the ground, 

 and brings with it the Funnel Amphitrite and its dwelling. This 

 is of a tubular shape, and generally black, with a slight mixture 

 of green. The color, however, is very variable, and depends much 

 upon the age of the tube; for, when freshly made, it is nearly as 

 transparent as that of the previous species. There are other spe- 

 cies of Amphitrite, all of which are interesting, but which our 

 diminished space will not admit. 



Should the reader happen to be an entomologist, he will readily 

 call to mind the tiny cylindrical cases that are made by certain 

 lepidopteran larvee, belonging to the great family Tineidre, and 

 which are found so plentifully upon the leaves of oak, hazel, and 

 other trees. If he should happen to be something of an aquarian 

 naturalist, and fond of looking for marine curiosities, he may find 

 attached to submarine plants certain little cylindrical cases which 

 are wonderfully like those of the moths. They are very small ' 

 indeed, scarcely thicker than the shaft of an ordinary pin, and 

 measuring scarcely more than the eighth of an inch in length. 

 Their color is pale brown, their surface is rough, and they are 

 stuck upon the sea-weed in great confusion, without the least at- 

 tempt at arrangement. 



