96 



MYRIAPODA. 



of grains of sand, fragments of shell, or even whole shells, 

 small stones, and similar sub- 

 stances, which they glue to- 

 gether, and thus construct a 

 beautiful tube, represented in 

 the engraving (Fig. 66). This 

 is effected by means of the ten- 

 tacula that surround its head, 

 which are extended in every di- 

 rection in search of appropriate 

 materials for the construction of 

 their residence. 



The Sabella * Alveolaris 

 often covers wide surfaces 

 of rock near low water-mark, 

 with its aggregated tubes. 

 When the flood recedes, nothing 

 is seen but the closed orifices, 

 but when covered with the 

 rising waters the sandy surface 

 transforms itself into a beauti- 

 ful picture. From each aper- 

 ture stretches forth a neck ornamented with concentric 

 rings of golden hair, terminating in a head embellished 

 with a tiara of delicately- tinted tentacula, so that the whole 

 looks like a garden-bed, enamelled with gay flowers of 

 elegant forms and variegated colours. 



FlG. 66. TE RE BELLA MEDUSA. 



CHAPTER X. 



MYRTAPODA.t 



THE Annelidans examined in the last chapter, with 

 the singular exception of the earth-worm, are only 

 adapted to an aquatic life. The soft integument 

 which forms their outer framework, and the feeble 

 organs appended to the numerous segments of their 

 lengthy bodies, are far too weak to support their 



* A proper name. 



f fjLvpids, murias, innumerable ; ir6vs, pous, a foot. 



