THE MERMAID'S TEA SERVICE. 23 



are themselves gay with color ; indeed, the sea 

 folk in general delight in rich and delicate hues, 

 if we may judge from their beautifully painted 

 bodies and dwellings. 



The tubelike homes which these gay sea 

 worms inhabit, are of their own construction 

 from lime and cement which their bodies se- 

 crete, and each is furnished with a curious 

 door which the owner of the fortress is able to 

 close upon the slightest alarm with lightning 

 rapidity. 



The different varieties of Serpula are inter- 

 esting and attractive embellishments to our 

 aquariums, and the marvelous arrangement of 

 delicate membranes and muscular fibers of 

 these extremely sensitive organisms well repay 

 our study. 



