THE ARCHIPELAGO OF BREIIAT. Ill 



which the painter's art alone could convey even a 

 feeble idea. 



We have hitherto examined only the exterior of 

 our Annelids. Let us now proceed to consider their 

 organisation. Look at this Eunice sanguinea, a 

 magnificent creature of common occurrence at 

 Brehat, where it may sometimes be found measuring 

 more than two feet and a half in length.* You 

 might suppose perhaps that in consequence of its 

 size, very little difficulty would be experienced in 

 making a detailed dissection of this animal. But if 

 you make the attempt you will soon perceive your 

 error. The body is divided into rings, which are 

 not above a line and a half in length, although they 

 measure from eight to ten lines in width. It is no 

 easy task, I can assure you, to seek within this limited 

 space the muscles which move the animal, the intes- 

 tine which receives its food, the vessels which nou- 

 rish it, and the nerves which animate it : while, to add 

 to the difficulty, you will find that all these tissues 

 bear the closest resemblance to each other. But do 

 not be discouraged ; fix your Annelid upon a piece 

 of black wax, cover it with a shallow layer of water, 

 take a simple lens, and provide yourself with a de- 

 licate pair of pincers and cataract needles to serve the 

 purpose of the scalpel. Remove the richly iridescent 

 skin, whose intertwined net-work, as you will 



* Eunice sanguined belongs to the group of the errant Annelids. 

 This is the largest species of our coast. I have frequently met with 

 specimens two feet in length, but in the Indian Seas they are often 

 five or six feet long, on which account the Indian species is known 

 as the Eunice gigantca. 



