GG SEA-SIDE STUDIES. 



very moment of writing tlii.s, I have two Naids in separate 

 vessels, who have reproduced their heads and probosces 

 under the following circumstances. The two worms were 

 first cut in half, the fragments which bore the heads were 

 thrown away, and those which bore the tails were placed in 

 vessels, with nothing but water and a little mud, in which, 

 as I had scrupulously ascertained, no worm or other visible 

 animal was concealed. In a few days the complete heads 

 were formed ; and, what is more, the heads were examined 

 daily during their formation. When the animals were quite 

 perfect I once more cut them in two, threw away the head- 

 fragments, and replaced the tail-fragments in their vessels. 

 A second time the heads were formed. A third time the 

 experiment was repeated ; and the worms are now lively, 

 after their fourth section, so that before this passage is 

 printed, I have little doubt they will present the fourth 

 reproduction of head and proboscis.* 



Amateurs are not fond of worms ; nor, until they have 

 seen Serpulce, Sahellcv, and Terebellce expanding and waving 

 their beautiful tentacles in the water, can they understand 

 why we should take so much trouble to secure them. And 

 yet, apart from their beauty, the worms deserve our study. 

 Their structure is full of interest. 



Let us for a moment consider their blood. That some 

 animals have red blood, and others blood not red (which 

 made Aristotle say that some have blood and others none 

 at all), you know perfectly mcII ; but that the worms 



• Ono died a few days afterwards, but the other made itself a new Lead a.s 

 before ; it died, however, after a fifth division. 



