PLATE CXVlll. 



element, and can be comprehended under one general family, ^he 

 denominates Amphilrites. Those Amphitrites have the tube mem- 

 branaceous or horny, and are more or less arenaceous. The animal 

 has the branchiae disposed at the anterior extemity, and are not divided 

 or covered with an operculum. 



The Amphitrites he separates into four divisions,the first of which 

 are distinguished by having the branchiae short, and never advanced, 

 and the ten taenia short or wanting. This section includes the Pectinaire 

 and the Sabellaire, In the second family, the tentacula are of a very 

 large size, and advance in front in the form of an aigrette, or as a 

 fan shaped plume ; this comprises the Terehella, and the section to 

 which the former name of Amphitrite is retained. This arrangement 

 so far as it proceeds appears satisfactorily, and it is for this reason 

 that we adopt the Pectinaire as agenerical distinction, for the new 

 species, that is the immediate object of our present discussion- 

 It has been already stated that this animal inhabits the deep 

 waters of the sea. The length is two inches and three lines ; the 

 body pale, somewhat gelatinous and attenuated behind ; feet on each 

 side fourteen, and terminating in tufts of bristles of a splendid golden 

 colour : scutum of the head somewhat heart-shaped and radiated, 

 and which, when the animal lies within its arenaceous covering, 

 serves as a shield or protection tothe opening* 



* In Pectinaria Capensis we observe some provision of nature analogous 

 to this; it is not a true operculum, but the obtuse front, that presenting 

 itself at the opening of the shell, is of sufficient strength to protect the 

 animal within. 



