WORMS. 



Ml 



Nais, the last segment of the body increases in size, and 

 becomes marked with segments, which grow more and 

 more distinct ; in time, a head begins to form at the ante- 

 rior end, which is furnished with antennae. At length 

 this strangely-made animal breaks off from the parent, 

 and enters upon *an independent existence. The facts 

 have been denied ; but we can give the testimony of per- 

 sonal observation to their truth, having witnessed the 

 process in both the genera above mentioned. 



Many of the marine Worms are remarkable for gor- 

 geousness of colouring ; and not a few display opaline 

 reflections and metallic changes of hue of great splendour. 

 There is a species, by no means rare on our coasts, called 

 the Sea-Mouse [Aphrodite), which rivals the humming- 

 birds in the magnificence of its array. It is a curious 

 animal in many respects. The form is unusual, at least 

 in this class, being somewhat oval ; it is a flattened, un- 

 shapely creature, about an inch and a half in breadth, 

 and some three or four inches long, of a dusky brown hue, 

 except at the sides, which are clothed with a dense coat 

 of long, slender bristles. It is in these that the creature's 

 glory resides. This clothing reflects the most glowing 

 prismatic colours, crimson, scarlet, orange, yellow, green, 

 blue, and purple, ever varying according to the angle at 

 which the rays are reflected to the observer's eye. Thus 

 are verified the lines so familiar to our infancy : 



" Let me be dress'cl fine as I will, 

 Flies, worms, and flowers, exceed me still." 



In another allied species the side bristles exhibit a 

 structure, which admirably adapts them for weapons of 

 defence. The tip of each bristle is a barbed spear, being 



