16 
It appears capable of elongating itself, something in the 
manner of a leech. The mouth is situated half an inch 
distant from the apex, and forms a longitudinal aperture of 
three-quarters of an inch in length (to us it did not appear 
to be above a quarter of an inch) . Motion very slow. * 
“ This animal is frequently dredged up by the fishermen 
at Newhaven in the Frith of Forth. If plunged whilst living 
into alcohol, it contracts, and appears to be irregularly an- 
nulated. When permitted to remain in the same water 
many days, the posterior extremity becomes putrid and 
decomposed, whilst the other part remains entire and ca- 
pable of motion. It is so fragile that the entire animal has 
not yet been procured. A detached piece measured twelve 
feet, and the fishermen at Newhaven assert that they have 
met with pieces more than as many fathom in length.” 
The above description was taken from the MSS. of Mr, 
T. W. Simmons of Edinburgh, to whom I am indebted for 
specimens of this extraordinary animal. 
