It thus appears that there are three preservative methods, which, according to experience, will save timber piles from the ravages of the worms, viz.: 1st. By using woods able to resist unaided their attacks. 2nd. The mechanical method, which is, by covering the piles with scupper nails, &c. This process is, however, very expensive, especially as the four sides of the pile must be covered; and, moreover, it affords no protection to the timber from internal rot or decay. 3rd. The chemical, or “creosoting” method. This process is cheaper than the last; it preserves the wood from decay, and no worms will touch it. When unprepared piles are placed in the sea, there is every probability, sooner or later, of their being attacked by the _teredo_. This animal, however, is not left in peaceable enjoyment of the dwelling which it has constructed, and the food which it loves, but is liable to be attacked by an enemy, an _annelide_, to which the late M. de Haan has given the name of _Lycoris fucata_. This animal is to be found wherever the _teredo_ exists, indeed its eggs and larva are to be met with in the midst of those of the mollusc. M. Kater has remarked that the adult _lycoris_ dwelling in the mud which it enters during winter, and into which the piles are driven, climbs up the pile to the hole formed by the _teredo_, where, in some manner, it sucks or eats its victim; then having enlarged the entrance to the hole, it enters and rests in the place of the _teredo_. After a time it goes back to the entrance, and commences to seek for fresh prey. The _lycoris_ is narrow and not very long, provided laterally with a great many little feet terminating in points and covered with hair, and having in front a pair of hard superior jaws, pointed horns, and the inferior jaws bent round in the form of hooks. Behind the head are four pairs of tubuliform gills. It is with these arms that this little animal pursues and devours the _teredo_. One day M. Kater was fortunately able to observe the operations of the _lycoris_, One of these animals coming out of a hole in the wood which he inhabited, seized upon a _teredo_, which M. Kater had previously deposited at the bottom of the vessel containing the wood. He saw the _annelide_ seize the _teredo_, hurry away with it to the hole which he occupied, and so completely devour it that he finally left only the two valves of the shell. Our illustrations of the _teredo_ and _lycoris_ are derived from the works of Mr. Paton and M. Forestier; and our own sketches. If the _lycoris_ would only destroy the _teredo_, when the mollusc was in its infancy, what an invaluable little annelide it would be!