84 ANNELIDA. 



Aphrodita and Sabella on the one hand, and Chi- 

 tonellus and Dentalium on the other), and even 

 with the Fishes (through Myxine and Amphioxus). 

 These indications are enough to show the complex 

 character of the grand plan of created existence, 

 which, instead of resembling a chain, (" the chain 

 of being,") may rather be likened to a coat of 

 chain-mail, in which every link is united with 

 many surrounding links. 



The Worms present many points of popular 

 interest. One is the great splendour of colour 

 displayed by many of them. The Serpulce and 

 Sabellce exhibit in their radiating coronets of 

 breathing-organs, not only the most exquisite forms 

 and the most beautiful arrangement, but often 

 glowing hues, usually disposed in bands or lines of 

 spots. The Pectinaria carries on his head a pair 

 of combs, that seem made of burnished gold. The 

 Phyllodoces are of various tints of green, sometimes 

 very bright, relieved by refulgent blue, as of 

 tempered steel. But it is in the rainbow-hues that 

 are reflected from many members of this Class, that 

 their chief glory lies ; for the bodies of many of 

 the Eunicida and the Nereidce glow with changing 

 colours of great brilliance, and their inferior sur- 

 face displays the softer tints of the opal or the 

 pearl. The Sea-mouse (Aphrodita}, one of the 

 most common as well as the largest of our Worms, 

 is clothed with a dense coat of long bristles, which 

 are fully as resplendent as the plumage of the 

 Humming-bird. 



The variety of form and construction, of posi- 

 tion and arrangement, in the breathing organs of 

 the Worms is a matter well worthy of study. In 

 some, no express organs for respiration exist, but 



