298 THE AQUARIAN NATURALIST. 



parts, prepares to lay its eggs, and thus to perpetuate 

 wonders such as those we have been witnessing. 



TEREBELLA FIGULUS. " The Potter." 



Another species of Terebella met with on our 

 coasts is generally called "The Potter," and is re- 

 cognizable from the preceding by the great length of 

 the cephalic tentacula, as also from the circumstance 

 that, in fabricating its dwelling, it gives an evident 

 preference to mud as the most suitable material. 



If the Terebella figulus be dislodged from its tube, 

 the body becomes closely coiled up ; but the tentacula 

 speedily begin to search round, sweeping up every- 

 thing within their reach, and. if the materials are 

 abundant, a covering is speedily formed. Like the 

 former, after the temporary repose of the morning, 

 its restlessness is displayed through much of the day, 

 and becomes augmented as evening approaches. At 

 this period an active search for building-materials 

 begins. Some tentacula secure particles of mud, 

 others are withdrawing grains of sand, and several 

 seize on shelly fragments. Much industry is mani- 

 fested, and all these various collections are gradually 

 brought in by the contraction of the respective organs 

 retaining them. While the tentacula are thus em- 

 ployed, an undulatory action, like repeated inflation 

 of the upper part of the body, is repeated fifteen or 

 twenty times in a minute, the movement advancing 

 in an upward direction, as towards the orifice of the 

 tube. Next, ten or twelve particles are discharged, 

 perhaps from the mouth, after having undergone 



