(_Halithæa aculeata_.)
The Sea-Mouse is found in the European seas, and when in its native
element is singularly beautiful, the hair with which it is partially
covered being equal in splendour to the colours on the tail of a
peacock.
[Illustration: _Halithæa aculeata._]
_ORDER ANNULATA APODA_,
(_Footless Annulose Animals_.)
The greater portion of the Annulose animals, namely those already
described, are furnished with small projecting points on the sides
of their body, which assist them in their motions, and which may,
consequently, be considered as supplying the place of feet; but those
we have yet to notice have no similar appendages, and, therefore, they
are called footless. They are all very lively in their movements, and
live either in moist earth, or the mud at the bottom of ponds. We
find among the footless Annulata two well-known genera, namely, the
Earth-worm and the Leech.