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SUPPLEMENT 
They all appear to feed upon animal substances, whether 
in the living state, or in a state of putrefaction more or 
less advanced. M. Bose, who has observed the manners of 
some species on the coasts of the United States, tells us posi- 
tively that these animals feed upon polypi and small worms, 
on which they throw themselves, by darting the anterior part 
of their body, which they have first contracted. Otho Fabri- 
cius tells us of some species of spio, or nereides with tubes, 
that they seize the planariae, on which they feed, by means 
of their long tentacula. 
No observations appear to have been made on the mode of 
reproduction in animals of this genus, and it is easy to con- 
ceive that such observations must be very difficult to be 
made. It appears merely probable that the eggs must be 
very numerous, and that they issue from each ring, for the 
ovaries have been remarked to have filled the emarginations 
made by the gastric enlargements. 
It has not, we believe, been at all observed that the nereides 
were hurtful animals ; the larger species are, on the contrary, 
regarded by fishermen as forming an excellent bait, which 
causes them to be sought after pretty carefully on the coasts 
of the Channel. It is generally women and children who at 
low tide gather them in the muddy or sandy places, and in 
the intervals of shingles, with a sort of trident. 
We have already had occasion to mention that the distinc- 
tion of the species of the nereides was but little advanced be- 
fore the labours of M. Savigny, notwithstanding that Pallas, 
Muller, and especially Otho Fabricius, had given us some 
excellent descriptions of those which live on the coasts of the 
northern seas. It must be allowed that it is difficult enough 
when a careful study is not given to each part, composing the 
appendages, which is not always so easy to be done, as cer- 
tain of these parts may be more or less retracted, when the 
animal appears in our collections. 
