WONDER WORMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1923, Page 1

WONDER WORMS.

ARCHITECTS OK THE SEA-BED. The completion in his Both, year by Professor Mclntosh of a “Monograph of the British Marine Annelids” (worms), of which lie published the first part 50 years ago is referred to in congratulatory terms in the current number of Nature.

The sea worms have been a life study with the now aged professor, who has just published the last two parts of the monograph. They are profound reading for the layman, hut the popular mind will appreciate the wonder of one of the families of worms to which the terms “mason and “potter” have been applied in explaining its character and habits.

“Nothing could be more appropriate, for this animal is alike distinguished by address and perseverance in producing works of art, ’ was the trbute of Sir John Dalycll (another .student of marine worms), whom the professor quotes in some descriptive paragraphs. It is a family of tube-builders, each worm inhabitating a tube the basis of which is a secretion of the skin glands which hardens often to the consistency of parchment. On the outer surface ol’ this tube, which is still solt, the worm embeds all manner of foreign bodies which it collects. The walls of the tube may be said to have a parallel in the stucco of human dwellings. One of the marvels of the worm is •the extraordinary number of different tasks it can do, using its countless tentacles at one time with complete success. With a lens a multitude of particles can he detected moving along the groove on the surface ol ■each tentacle towards lhe mouth, there to he kneaded, and Professor Mclntosh endorses Dalyell’s description of an amazing dexterity as seen through the lens. Nothing is more surprising than the attention of so humble an artist being directed towards such a variety of operations at one time. Many tontai.ala are searching after the materials niaiiy bearing them to the edifice — some quitting their hold—others recovering the load—while the architect himself seems occupied in kneading masses in its mouth, disgorging them successively, or in polishing the rude workmanship resulting from its labours. . . . The particular worm thus described at work Dalycll called the “potter.” Its tubes are built of mud. Prolessor Mclntosh mentions others which use (Trains of sand or carefully selected fragments of liell ; while some Jiipangather pine needles and stick them lengthwise in the tube. KITE.NT 11 1 '1C FISHING. LONDON. Oct. J. Fishermen of the tut tire may be saved from a great deal of unnecessary work in locating lish as a result of resarelies which are being carried out at the Marine Biological T.nhorntorv at Plymouth. The life-history ol certain fishes from the egg stage to maturity, is being carefully studied and investigations are also being made into their loud, and the manner in which it is affected by various conditions. It is hoped that as a result ol the researches scientists may be able in time to give Fishermen information as to where lisli may be found at lertain Limes. The niiiiiiKM' in uhieh the temperature of the water ufleets tin’ movement's ot lish is :«lso hrinjj; studio*!.