16 NEPHTHYS (LSECA. 



represented in Fig. 2. Similar advanced stages were procured in the Bay of Kiel by 

 Leschke in November and December. 



De Saint Joseph says that, like Nephthys scolopendroides, N. cseca is mature from 

 November to April. 



Habits. — Abundant in sand near low water-mark along with Mag dona and other 

 forms, and it bores through the moist sand with great rapidity. It is likewise procured 

 in considerable numbers under stones on a sandy and gravelly (shell) surface with a 

 slight coating of mud, in company with a few specimens of Girratulus. In a vessel 

 of sea-water the branchiae are borne in a loop at each side, and now and then jerked 

 a little. 



It forms an excellent bait for flat and other fishes, and is used whenever it can be 

 obtained. As might be anticipated, therefore, it is not uncommon in the stomachs 

 of cod and haddock. 



The Dutch author Seba 1 (1734) figures what has been considered a Nephthys, 

 but as it is from Amboina and resembles an Amphinome or Hermodice, the interpretation 

 is somewhat doubtful. 



The early description of 0. Fabricius (1779) is fairly accurate, both in regard to 

 external appearance and habits, but he represents two caudal cirri in his figure — an 

 error probably due to the artist. 



Colonel Montagu (1808) in all probability represents this species (MS. vol. Linn. 

 Soc, Plate VIII, fig. 3) as Nereis cseca. 



Savigny (1820) simply copied the observations of Fabricius, but he saw that a 

 new genus was necessary. 



Dr. Gr. Johnston (1835) corrected several points in the earlier descriptions, and 

 increased our knowledge of its habits and haunts. He thought the lamellae of the 

 feet were useful in swimming, which probably they are, though the powerful muscles 

 of the body-wall are even more important. 



CErsted (1845) made further improvements in the description and figures, and 

 differentiated the species from N. Hombergii. The finer characters of the bristles 

 escaped him. 



Busch's fig. 6, Taf. VIII s (1851), shows a young larva of Nephthys or Nereis with 

 the hook-like tuft of cilia on each side in front of the eyes, and two posterior papillae. It 

 may however relate to another form, as the tufts are behind the eyes in those figured by 

 other authors. Fig. 5 of the same memoir would seem to be a younger stage. 



The Nereis (Nephthys) hirsuta of Daly ell 3 may be a small example of this species or of 

 an allied form. 



De Quatrefages (1865) seemed to be in considerable perplexity concerning this form 

 — of which he made three species, viz. N. margaritacea, N. CErsteclii, and Portelia cseca. 

 He had perhaps relied too much on uncertain figures. From the same author's descrip- 

 tion and the remarks of M. Malaquin," N. bononensis, De Quatref ., is probably the same 



species. 



1 ' Thesaurus/ i, pi. lxxxi, fig. 7. 



2 ' Beobach. u. Anat. u. Entwickel. Wirb. Seethiere/ 



3 < Pow. Great./ ii, p. 145, pi. xxi, fig. 1—3, 1853. 



