154 LAMINATED NEREIS. 



where you are crouched in the fond idea that you are 

 thus getting shelter from the rain. 



On this occasion, my friend and I, being soaked to 

 the skin, started up from our unpleasant position, and 

 boldly daring the rain to do its worst, proceeded to 

 hunt after any object of interest that might by chance 

 be lying stranded near. 



After an hour's search, two objects, among many 

 others of more or less interest, were captured, that 

 fully repaid us for our uncomfortable 'ducking/ 

 The first was an elegant Actinia (A. Dianthus), 

 which seemed to be exquisitely modelled in the 

 finest virgin wax. The second was a specimen of 

 the Laminated Nereis (Phyllodoce Laminosd), a 

 wonderfully beautiful worm ! 



Fair reader, start not nor curl that rosy lip of 

 thine at the expression, ' beautiful/ being applied to 

 such an humble creature, for indeed the title is a just 

 and true one. 



This Annelid is generally found coiled up and 

 attached to the under part of stones situated near low 

 water mark. Its general colour is emerald green, 

 excepting along the centre of the back, which is 

 iridescent, and reflects a brilliant blue, changing into 

 purple and other hues, only equalled in beauty by 

 the enamelled corslet of the brightest beetle, or the 

 flashing tints that dance upon the plumage of the 

 humming-bird. 



The body of the P. Laminosa, like that of all 



