Palolo is the native name of a species of sea-worm (_Palolo viridis_),
which is found in some parts of Samoa, the Navigator’s Islands, in the
South Pacific Ocean--and of which the following singular account is
given by the Rev. J. B. Stair, of the South Sea Missions. They come
regularly in the months of October and November, during portions of
two days in each month, viz: the day before and the day on which the
moon is in her last quarter. They appear in much greater numbers on the
second than on the first day of their rising, and are only observed
for two or three hours in the early part of each morning of their
appearance. At the first dawn of day, they may be felt by the hand
swimming on the surface of the water; and as the day advances their
numbers increase, so that by the time the sun has risen, thousands may
be observed in a very small space, sporting merrily during their short
visit to the surface of the ocean. On the second day they appear at
the same time, and in a similar manner, but in such countless myriads,
that the surface of the ocean is covered with them for a considerable
extent. On each day, after sporting for an hour or two, they disappear
until the next season, and not one is ever observed during the
intervening time. In size they may be compared to a very fine straw,
and are of various colours and lengths, green, brown, white, and
speckled, and in appearance and mode of swimming, resemble very small
snakes. They are exceedingly brittle, and if broken into many pieces,
each piece swims off as though it were an entire worm. The natives are
exceedingly fond of them, and calculate with great exactness the time
of their appearance, which is looked forward to with great interest.
The worms are caught in small baskets, beautifully made, and when
taken on shore are tied up in leaves in small bundles, and baked.
Great quantities are eaten undressed; but either dressed or undressed,
are esteemed a great delicacy. Such is the desire to eat Palolo by
all classes, that immediately the fishing parties reach the shore,
messengers are dispatched in all directions with quantities to parts of
the island on which none appear.’
At a recent exhibition of paintings, a lady and her son were regarding
with much interest a picture which the catalogue designated as _Luther
at the Diet of Worms_. Having descanted at some length upon its merits,
the boy remarked, ‘Mother, I see Luther and the table, but where are
the worms?’