7 o 4 THE LAMINATED NEREIS. 



Let me here recommend every reader to sketch, however rudely, each novelty that 

 he finds ; always to note the colors, and, if possible, to tint the sketch itself. Those 

 who cannot draw may always get a correct outline by means of the camera lucida, but 

 it is better to give the rudest imaginable sketch rather than none at all. The value of 

 such notes is incalculable ; and though at the time they may seem to be of little ser- 

 vice, it continually happens that some casual remark is made, and some peculiarity of 

 structure noted, which serve afterwards to settle the most important controversies. 



There is scarcely any instrument more generally useful than the camera lucida as 

 adapted to the microscope, for it cannot only be used with that instrument, but may be 

 removed, and, by a very simple arrangement, will enable the possessor to take a sketch 

 of a landscape, a house, or an insect, even to copy an illustration from a book, without 

 the least knowledge of drawing. An account of this invaluable instrument, and the 

 method of arranging it to suit various purposes, will be found in my little work on the 

 " Microscope," published by Messrs. Routledge and Co. 



THERE are very many species of these interesting worms, no few of which are found 

 on the British coasts, among which we may mention GLOW-WORM NEREIS (Nereis 

 noctiluca\ a little species seldom more than an inch in length, but which is remarkable 

 for its power of emitting phosphorescent light in a manner that reminds the observer of 

 the luminous centipede already described. There is also the PEARLY NEREK (Nereis 

 margaritacea), so-called on account of its pearly white color. This is a much larger and 

 more handsome species, measuring eight or ten inches in length when fully grown. 

 Another species, the SHINING or IRIDESCENT NEREIS (Nereis fulgens}, is remarkable 

 from the fact that it constructs a tube of very thin silken texture transparent in itself, 

 but often being studded with particles of sand. It seldom exceeds seven inches in 

 length, and is of a deep orange-red color, with a blackish line running along the back. 

 Like most of the Nereids, it is iridescent on the surface, 



Another magnificent species, called the LAMINATED NEREIS (Phyllodoce laminata), 

 deserves a passing notice. This fine species sometimes attains the length of two feet, 

 and is certainly the finest example of the family that is to be found in the British seas. 

 Its color is shining iridescent green, having a bluish tinge on the back, and changing 

 gradually to a more leaf-green hue on the sides. There are no less than four hundred 

 segments in the body of a full-grown Phyllodoce, and, consequently, eight hundred 

 paddles and sets of bristles, by means of which it can swim throught the water or crawl 

 upon the sand with equal ease and grace. 



As Mr. T. Rymer Jones well remarks : " The mechanism of this creature, its parts 

 and their powers, are to be ranked among the more conspicuous and admirable works 

 of creation, nor can they be contemplated without wonder. Issuing forth from its 

 retreat, it swims by an undulating serpentine motion. Its unwieldy body, gradually 

 withdrawn from its hiding-place, has its multiplied organs unfolded in regular order and 

 arrangement, so that, whether intertwined or free, they never present any appearance 

 of intricacy or confusion each part performs its own proper functions, and the general 

 effect is produced by the united exercise of the whole. When inactive, the lateral 

 paddles are laid close over the back, but when in activity they spread widely out, 

 acting like so many oars to aid the animal's course by their united impulse on the 

 water. 



It is a pleasant thing to see a well-manned boat glide over the smooth surface of the 

 sea, to watch the long array of oars as silently they simultaneously tip and rise again, 

 all flashing in the evening sunshine. But such a sight is but a paltry spectacle com- 

 pared with that afforded by these gorgeous worms ; four hundred pairs of oars, instinct 

 with life, harmoniously respond in play, so active that the eye can scarcely trace their 

 movements, save by the hues of iridescent splendor violet and blue, and green and 

 gold, the very rainbow's tints that indicate their course." 



It is a remarkable fact, that in the Nereids their young are often produced by the 

 simple process of breaking off a piece from the end of the body. The last ring but one 

 becomes, swollen and lengthens, and by degrees assumes the appearance of a young 

 Nereid, with its eyes and antennae. When it is sufficiently strong it is broken off, and 



