404 HOMES WITHOUT HA.NDS. 



hardening under water into a gelatinous substance. The union 

 of these two materials — namely, the gelatinous secretion and the 

 shells which are fastened to it — gives to the tube the two needful 

 qualities of strength and flexibility. 



Small particles of shell are generally affixed by the whole of 

 their surface, but the large pieces are only fastened by one edge, 

 so that a tube that is made wholly of large fragments looks as if 

 it were covered with scales, like those of a serpent. 



It is a remarkable fact that the Terebella does not form tubes 

 during the early portions of its life, but swims about freely, like 

 the nereis and other marine annelids. It has a head, eyes, feet, 

 and antennae, and roams about at will ; whereas, in its perfect 

 state, it has neither head, nor eyes, nor antennce, nor true feet, 

 the last-mentioned organs being modified into the tufts of hooks, 

 and bristles, by means of which it moves up and down its tube. 

 The reader may perhaps remember that the barnacles and many 

 other stationary marine animals are free during their preliminary 

 epochs, and only become fixed when they attain the perfect 

 form. To our minds, the former seems the more perfect, and 

 certainly the more agreeable state of existence ; but we cannot 

 measure the feelings of such an animal by our own, and may be 

 sure that the creature enjoys existence as much while shut up in 

 a tube, as when roaming the ocean at liberty. 



Another species, Terebella figuhis, sometimes called the 

 PoTTEE, prefers mud as the material for its dwelling, and con- 

 trives to make the dark sea-mud so adhesive that it is capable 

 of being formed into a tube. 



As may be easily imagined, this tube is extremely fragile, and 

 cannot be removed entire from the water without the exercise of 

 much care, its own weight being mostly sufficient to tear it 

 asunder. The walls of the tube are tolerably thick, and the tube 

 itself is of some size, measuring nearly half an inch across, and 

 is always found to be protected by the earth upon which it is 

 placed. It is a rather curious fact that the tentacles of this 

 species are of extraordinary length, extending for some eight or 

 nine inches beyond the entrance of the tube, the animal itself 

 measuring little more than four inches in length. 



The last species of Terebella that will be mentioned, is a very 

 small and very remarkable species. It has been appropriately 



