WORMS. 
The animals which we have considered so far. represent 
only iwo sub-kingdoms or phyla, viz. the phylum ur {he 
Vertebrates (Mammals, Bird?, Reptiles, Amphibians and Fishes) 
and that of the Arthropuda (Insects, Centipedes and Millipedes, 
Spiders and Scorpions, and Crustaceans). The worms or Vermes 
constitute the next phylum, and at the first glance they w^ould 
appear to form a well-circumscribed group. But whatever little 
fiitificuity there may be in characterizing creatures like the Com- 
mon Earthworm, the task is almost an impossible one when at- 
tempting tu give a comprehensive definition of all the animals 
which for the sake of convenience have been placed amongst the 
Vermes. Wc shortly pass m review only four classes of them, 
BRISTLE-BEARING WORMS 
(Atinelida,) 
The Annelids comprise thuse kinds which are best 
known as * worms * in common parlance. They have a more or 
less elongated cylindrical body w^hich is distinctly segmented 
and bears bristles. In the order OUgnchaetac the bristles may 
be few and microscopic, as in the Common Earthworm (Lumbri- 
CHs), or they may be greatly developed, as in the order 
Polychactae. They are then borne on stump-like processes of 
the body which on account of their resemblance to feet are 
called ' parapodia * and are occasionally developed to such a 
degree that they form a thick hairy covering of the sides of the 
body* as in the Sea-mouse. 
The largest of local polychaete worms, which are ali 
marine, is Eunice gigantea. The two specimens exhibited were 
caught on the coral reef at Blakang Mati, in They were 
found coiled up in the crevices of blocks of coral, and it required 
much patience to haul them out in perfect condition. For all 
these worms are exceedingly fragile, and these particular speci- 
mens kept on contracting and expanding tike pieces of india 
rubber. The larger of the two measured close on 4 feet when 
alive. A short and broad species, with dense masses of yellow 
