Apparently despairing of its efforts, though still oftener repeated, being eventually prosperous, the poor Annelid literally 'turned tail,' and very coolly proceeded to elongate the opposite end of its dwelling. This operation did not last long; for in the course of a few hours, on peering again into the vessel, I saw that the humble and insignificant worm had mustered up courage to 'face the enemy' once more, and had, in fact, apparently conceived a new idea, the wisdom of which was soon made palpable; for slowly, but surely, most of the arenaceous particles were eaten, and nothing being left but the pebble, it was speedily and triumphantly ejected from the tube, and the sand soon after employed for building purposes. The Terebella having completed its laborious and well-executed task, seemed to be quite exhausted, and lay to all appearance lifeless for the succeeding four and twenty hours.
When walking along the sandy beach, myriads of peculiar objects may be seen swayed to and fro by the roll of the waves. Frequently, when the tide has receded, these tubes remain sticking out of the sand to the height of two or three inches, each terminating in a tuft, like the end of a piece of cord that had been teazed out.
Within such a fragile habitation dwells the Terebella littoralis, the most common species of the marine tubiculous Annelids. I have very often tried, by aid of my fingers only, or a strong spade, to capture one of these creatures, but have never been successful, even in a solitary instance. Yet several authors tell their readers the task is perfectly easy. Mr. Lewes, for instance, made me feel ashamed of my previous manipulative efforts when I read his vivid description of a Terebella hunt, and caused me lately to journey a distance of six miles to try my hand again, with no better result than hitherto.
I have lately seen a specimen of T. littoralis which a friend of mine was so fortunate as to capture. The tube of the animal, instead of being in its usual position, was situated in a pool, and offered a most rare prize to its discoverer, it being the only one he had ever caught. The tube, being of great length, was cut down to about six inches and transferred to a shallow glass tank, in which was introduced some pounded shells. The beautiful Annelid soon made itself at home, and commenced to repair the damage done to its habitation by collecting these particles, by means of its tentacula, which were thrown out to an extraordinary distance in all directions.
The result of the animal's labours was soon apparent by a most amusing white patch being added to each end of its dark tube.
As soon as this operation was completed mon ami carefully tore up the patched garment, and ejected the defenceless Terebella into the vessel, wherein was placed a piece of glass tube that measured an inch in length. Strange to state, the animal instantly crept into this object, and soon made itself quite at home and comfortable. When the building materials were placed near, they were collected and attached to each end of the glass cylinder by the little architect, who doubtless was the first of its 'family' who could boast of such a noble mansion,—which ultimately assumed a very remarkable aspect from the variously-coloured 'mortar' that was employed in its construction. Above and below the transparent centre came patches of red, white, and blue material, composed respectively of broken tile, pounded shells, and coloured glass. Such a 'concourse of atoms' was surely never before combined, either 'fortuitously' or otherwise, in the construction of so common an object as the tube of an Annelid.
The branchiæ of the above mentioned specimen presented a most exquisite appearance, resembling the perfect skeleton of a leaf, supposing that to be dyed a brilliant crimson colour, and made to exhibit incessant life-like motion even in its most delicate and minute ramifications.