Pridpvlus caiidattis. 



SPOON-WORM. Thalassema Neptuni. 

 Syrinx nudus. 



Sipunmhis Bernhardit*. 

 (Two figures.) 



having a little round knob at the extremity of the point. They proceed to the sands at 

 low water, and drop one of these rods into each burrow, where they leave it for twelve 

 hours. During this time the Sipunculus is sure to swallow the button, and as the 

 elastic tissues contract it is unable to release itself ; and when the tide has again retreated, 

 the rod, with the Sipunculus attached, is drawn out of the burrow by the fishermen. 



The species which we are now examining is very careful of its own comfort, and in 

 order to make the entrance of its shell exactly suitable to its own size it stops up the 

 aperture with sand and similar substances. The individual which is represented in 

 the illustration, and which was drawn from a living specimen, had used both sand and 

 small pebbles in this work. 



LYING by the side of the sipunculus is a rather curious creature, represented as lying 

 on the ground, and notable for the long tuft-like appendage at its extremity. This is the 

 TAILED PEIAPULUS, a species which is found in the southern seas, and occasionally taken off 

 our own coasts. The curious bundle of threads at its extremity is supposed to serve the 

 purpose of respiratory organs. It has a retractile proboscis, but no tentacles round the 

 mouth. 



The SYKINX is distinguished from the Sipuneulus by the proboscis, which in these 

 creatures is rather short, and has an indented tentacular fold round the mouth. The 

 figure shows an example with the proboscis protruded. The generic name, Syrinx, is 

 derived from the resemblance of the creature to the reed from which the ancient pipes 

 were made. 



IN the middle of the illustration are seen two smaller figures of different shapes. 

 These, however, represent the same species, and are here given in order to show the 

 wonderful capacity for changing its shape. The SPOON-WOKM is so called on account of 

 the spoon-like appendage to the proboscis. Behind the proboscis are two shining hook- 

 like bristles. All the members of this genus are remarkable for the wonderful power of 

 contraction and expansion possessed by the skin, and the extraordinary manner in which 



