110 supplp:ment 



They all appear to feed upon animal substances, whether 

 in the living state, or in a state of putrefaction more or 

 less advanced. M. Bosc, who has observed the manners of 

 some species on the coasts of the United States, tells us posi- 

 tively that these animals feed upon polypi and small worms, 

 on which they throw themselves, by darting the anterior part 

 of their body, which they have first contracted. Otho Fabri- 

 cius tells us of some species of spio, or nereides with tubes, 

 that they seize the planarise, on which they feed, by means 

 of their long tentacula. 



No observations appear to have been made on the mode of 

 reproduction in animals of this genus, and it is easy to con- 

 ceive that such observations must be very difficult to be 

 made. It appears merely probable that the eggs must be 

 very numerous, and that they issue from each ring, for the 

 ovaries have been remarked to have filled the emarginations 

 made by the gastric enlargements. 



It has not, we believe, been at all observed that the nereides 

 were hurtful animals ; the larger species are, on the contrary, 

 regarded by fishermen as forming an excellent bait, which 

 causes them to be sought after pretty carefully on the coasts 

 of the Channel. It is generally women and children who at 

 low tide gather them in the muddy or sandy places, and in 

 the intervals of shingles, with a sort of trident. 



We have already had occasion to mention that the distinc- 

 tion of the species of the nereides was but little advanced be- 

 fore the labours of M. Savigny, notwithstanding that Pallas, 

 Muller, and especially Otho Fabricius, had given us some 

 excellent descriptions of those which live on the coasts of the 

 northern seas. It must be allowed that it is difficult enough 

 when a careful study is not given to each part, composing the 

 appendages, which is not always so easy to be done, as cer- 

 tain of these parts may be more or less retracted, when the 

 animal appears in our collections. 



