THE 



COMMON GORDIUS, 



OR . 



HAIR-WORM. 



Generic Character. 

 Body filiform, equal, fmooth. 



Specific Character, &c. 



PALE - BROWN GORDIUS with dark extre- 

 mities. 



THE COMMON HAIR-WORM. 



The Gordius aquaticus or common Hair- Worm is 

 principally an inhabitant of foft ftagnant waters, and 

 may be found during the greater!: part of the year, but 

 is moft plentiful in the mmmer months. It grows to 

 the length of five or fix inches, but is not very often 

 feen of more than about four inches. Its moft general 

 colour is a palilh brown, with the extremities blackiih a 

 or at leaf! darker than the other parts. It has obtained 

 the generic name of Gordius, from its having a habit 

 of fometimes twirling itfelf into fuch peculiar con- 

 tortions as to referable a complicated or Gordian knot. 

 In this Hate it often continues for a confiderable fpace ; 



and 



