Resembling in appearance the shell of a Serpula; but the organization of
the animal caused this to be made a distinct genus.
Its shells are usually found grouped together or intertwined with each
other, and are very remarkable for being attached to marine bodies by
the attenuated and pointed extremity of the spire.
Shell conical, tubular, thin, involute spirally, more or less close,
with whorls almost completely disunited; free or adherent by
intertwining; aperture straight, circular, with edges sharp and
complete; several partitions not perforated towards the summit;
operculum horny and complete.
_V. lumbricales._ The wormlike Vermetus. Pl. 23, fig. 3.
A flexuous shell, with a spiral, acute tip, very much resembling a
corkscrew; colour reddish brown, sometimes clouded with a darker shade.