230 



LOWER INVERTEBRATES. 



have already given various instances in the sections referring to parasitic species 

 among the lower worms. In 2'omopterig, a pretty, transparent, pelagic creature, the 



false feet are very long and thick, while two long cirri spring 

 from the first segment so that the outline of the animal is 

 bizarre. 



Another type altogether is shown by the scale-bearing 

 annelids, Apheoditid^ ; the upper parapodia, or false feet, 

 carry large scales, which lie over the back of the animal 

 and form an imbricated covering, serving the double pur- 

 pose of protection and respiration. The most common of 

 our species in New England is probably the Lepidonotits 

 squamatiis, which inhabits the rocky shores of bays and 

 sounds, where they 

 may be found hiding 

 in crevices or on the 

 under side of stones. 

 It has twelve pairs of 

 rough scales on its 

 back, while its cousin 

 Zi. sublevis has the 

 same number, but 

 smooth, and is found, 

 though less abund- 

 antly, in the same lo- 

 calities as the first- 

 mentioned species. 

 In many members of 

 this family, however, the bristles are greatly de- 

 veloped, in Hermione so as to partially, in Aphro- 

 dite so as to completely, hide the scales under a 

 felting of hair. Nothing can exceed the splendor 

 of the colors that ornament some of these hairs ; 

 " they yield, indeed, in no respect to the most gor- 

 geous tints of tropical birds, or to the brilliant 

 decorations of insects : green, yellow, and orange, 

 blue, purple, and scarlet — all the hues of Iris 

 play upon them with the changing light." In Aphrodite the respiratory function of 

 the scales is evident ; they exhibit periodical movements of elevation and depression ; 

 as they are overspread by a coating of felting, readily permeable to the water, the 

 space between the scales is filled with filtered water while they are elevated ; when 

 they are again depressed the water is forcibly emitted at the posterior end of the 

 body, and the back, which serves as an organ of respiration, is thus washed by fresh 

 water. Although these animals are not active, yet they are highly organized, and 

 are to be considered the tip-top of the world of worms, no slight dignity. They 

 are rather inactive compared with many of their relatives, and are usually very dirty, 

 so that repeated washings are necessary to uncover their natural beauties. Among 

 worms, also, high rank does not ensure personal cleanliness. 



Fig. 226 — Auiolytus comutus, 

 male. 



Fie. 227. — Hermione hystrix. 



