420 
COROPHXIDjE. 
sprinkled over the surface ; these upon examination are 
found to possess a more or less stellate condition, which 
gradually increases as the animal grows older, until it 
ultimately spreads over the entire surface, which appears 
of a uniform rich red colour. It was on this account no 
doubt that Col. Montagu gave the animal its character- 
istic specific name. 
This animal generally lives in a nest of its own con- 
struction. Its common resting-place is at the roots of 
Laminaria and other plants, or on the under sides of 
stones, at the bottom of the sea in a few fathoms of 
water, seeking some secure nook or quiet corner in which 
to dwell in peace and safety. Some specimens which we 
kept alive built for themselves nests against the surface 
of the glass vessel in which they were confined. On the 
side of the vessel grew young fronds of weed. Each 
position which was selected by one of the animals for 
its abode was swept clean for a distance round the nest 
by the long antennae, proving distinctly that the animal 
reaches out and collects material to assist in the con- 
struction of its cell. Upon placing one of these newly- 
constructed dwelling-places under the microscope we 
found that the many bits of weed, chiefly green ulva, 
were matted together by some exquisitely delicate 
fibres. This fibrous material possessed the appearance 
of having been spun or twisted, since frequently small 
loops were formed by a fibre having been twisted upon 
itself. 
We have not been able to discover whether this 
thread-like web be excreted by the mouth, or whether 
or not there be an especial organ for its production, but 
we hope that it will not be long before some naturalist 
will be able to throw some light upon this curious and 
interesting subject. 
