THE SEA MOUSR 



101 



goes forth to seek an independent life. Sometimes it happens that a second and a third 

 are thus formed before the first is separated, and M. Milne-Edwards has seen a row of six 

 young Nereids thus attached to their parent. 



The CIERHATULUS derives its name from the numerous cirrhi, or thread-like appendages* 

 which project from its sides, and which serve for legs as well as organs of respiration. 

 These curious appendages arise from the alternate segments of the body, and are 

 continued in two rows along the back almost to the very end of the body. 



If placed under a good microscope, the transparent walls of these cirrhi permit the 

 blood to be seen coursing through them. This is not, however, a very easy operation, as 

 the creature is very timid, and when touched will contract the cirrhi into a shapeless 

 bundle. When, however, the Cirrhatulus is quite at its ease, recumbent in its rocky home, 



Syllia maculosa. 



Cirrn&tulus Landrckii. 



it permits the cirrhi to lie flat on the ground, where they surround it like a mass of red 

 worms continually writhing and twining throughout their length. 



It is one of the light-hating creatures, always seeking a retreat under some stone or in 

 a cleft of a marine rock ; and it is, moreover, protected by a mass of sand, mud, and 

 slime, which it collects around its body, so as effectually to disguise its shape. The 

 length of the Cirrhatulus is about four inches, and its colour is mostly red, with a tinge of 

 brown. 



THE members of the genus STLLIS may be easily distinguished by the shape of the 

 tentacles, which are jointed in such a manner as to resemble closely the beads of a 

 necklace. The number of the tentacles is always uneven, and this fact serves to separate 

 them from an allied genus, where their number is even. 



THE strange hair-covered grub which is shown in the following illustration appears a 

 very ordinary being when merely depicted in the plain black and white of the printer ; 

 3. z z 



