GREAT EUNICE, Eunice gigantea. 

 LUG-WORM. Arenicola pitcatfrnim. 



Along the sides runs a double row of the wonderful bristles by means of which the 

 creature is enabled to propel itself through the sand, and projecting from the back are 

 thirteen pairs of light scarlet tufts, which, on examination, are found to be the gills of the 

 worm. These are most beautiful organs, and when magnified are seen to be composed of 

 many tufts, like the branches of a thick shrub. 



The Lug-worm has some of the habits of the tube-making annelids, for, although it 

 is perfectly free and able to move where it likes, it does not push its way through the sand 

 at random, but forms a tunnel of moderate strength, through which it can pass and repass 

 at pleasure. As it bores its way through the sand, it pours out a small quantity of the 

 glutinous matter which has already been mentioned in the Terebella, and thus cements 

 the sides of the tunnel together in a manner somewhat resembling the brickwork of a 

 railway tunnel like that work of engineering skill, moreover, the tube of the Lug- 

 worm cannot bear removal, breaking up when it is unsupported by the surrounding 

 earth. It is, however, amply strong enough for its use, and will withstand the beatings of 

 ordinary waves without yielding. 



In the whole of the genus Arenicola there are no eyes nor jaws, and the head is not 

 distinct. Several species of this genus are known. 



THE second figure in the illustration represents another annelid closely allied to the 

 Nereidse. In this family the body is very long and composed of numerous segments. 

 The proboscis has, at least, seven, and sometimes nine, pairs of horny jaws. The species 

 which is given in the illustration will sometimes attain a length of more than four feet, 

 and comprise upwards of four hundred segments in its body, each segment furnished with 

 its paddles, some seventeen hundred or more in number. 



When in a living state, this is a most lovely creature, winding along its serpentine 

 course with easy grace, and gleaming with all the colours of the rainbow as the sunbeams 

 fall on its polished surface and active propellers. 



AN example of the beautiful genus Nereis is now given. The Nereidse have both 

 tentacles and eyes, and the proboscis is large, often being furnished with a single pair of 



