THE SEA-MOUSE. 159 



It is Dot in its form that we must look for any 

 peculiar elegance, for it is a flattened -worm, of an 

 oval outline bluntly pointed at each end ; — nor in its 

 general colour, for this is that of the pale brown sedi- 

 ment that water deposits. But it is in the clothing of 

 long silky hair which covers each side, and which 

 reflects the most brilliant and refulgent hues, equal- 

 ling the splendours of the Humming-birds, or the 

 Diamond-beetles. Hence Lamarck gave it the appel- 

 lation of Halithea, or Sea-goddess ; and Linnaeus 

 before him had conferred on it the name of the god- 

 dess of beauty. Aphrodite, the Greek title of Venus. 

 The great master of Natural History thus expresses his 

 admiration of this sea-worm. " The Aphrodite acule- 

 ata, reflecting the sun-beams from the depths of the 

 sea, exhibits as vivid colours as the peacock itself, 

 spreading its jewelled train." 



In the Aquarium the Sea-mouse crawls restlessly 

 to and fro, and round the margin oi the bottom ; 

 once or twice I have seen it essay to burrow under th^ 

 fine gravel, but generally it lives exposed. It is un- 

 interesting in its manners, though the brilliance of 

 its changing colours will always attract admiration. 

 Perhaps it is most beautiful by candle-light, when red 

 and orange reflections predominate ; by day, pearly 

 greens and blues prevail. This difference is owing to 

 the position of the light, and the angle at which it is 

 reflected. Thus, if the eye glance along the bristles 

 towards the light, which is reflected at an obtuse 

 angle, the reflected rays will be lilac, passing into 

 ultramarine ; if the angle of reflection be a right- 

 angle, the rays will be green ; if the light be between 



