[ S3° ] 



THE HAIR-WORMS. 



These animals are inhabitants" chiefly of stagnant 

 waters. Their bodies are round, thread-shaped, 

 equal throughout, and smooth. 



THE COMMON HAIR-WORM*. * 



This worm is about the thickness of a horse'3 

 hair, and, when full grown, is ten or twelve inches 

 in length. Its skin is somewhat glossy, and of a pale 

 yellowish white, except the head and tail, which are 

 black. It is common in our fresh waters, and par- 

 ticularly in such where the bottom is composed of 

 soft clay, through which it passes as a fish does 

 through water f . 



Its popular name arose from the idea that it was 

 produced from the hair of horses and other animals 

 that were accidentally dropped into the water ; an 

 idea that is even yet prevalent among the lower class 

 of the people, Its Linnean name of Gordius origi- 

 nated in the habit that it has of twisting itself into 

 such peculiar contortions as to resemble a compli- 

 cated gordian knot. In this state it often continues 

 for a considerable time, and then slowly disengaging 

 itself extends its body to the full length. 



Sometimes it moves in the water with a tolerably 

 quick undulating motion, like that of a leech 3 and 



* Synonyms. — Gordius aquaticus. Linn. — i — Water Hair-worm., 

 . — Barbut. 



i Barbut' s Genera Vermium, p. 7. tab. 1. 



