Wishing to test the powers and intelligence of my specimen, I dropped within its tube, which was curved in shape lengthways, some particles of sand, and a pebble which nearly filled up the 'bore' of the cylinder. The great annoyance occasioned by this intrusion to the master of the house was painfully evident. For a whole day the Terebella endeavoured to push out the objectionable matter by means of its head and cephalic tentacula, but without success; for although the mass frequently neared, it never touched or toppled over the mouth of the aperture, and consequently fell to its original position at the bottom of the tube as soon as the animal removed the pressure. Apparently despairing of its efforts, though still oftener repeated, being eventually prosperous, the poor Annelid literally 'turned tail,' and very coolly proceeded to elongate the opposite end of its dwelling. This operation did not last long; for in the course of a few hours, on peering again into the vessel, I saw that the humble and insignificant worm had mustered up courage to 'face the enemy' once more, and had, in fact, apparently conceived a new idea, the wisdom of which was soon made palpable; for slowly, but surely, most of the arenaceous particles were eaten, and nothing being left but the pebble, it was speedily and triumphantly ejected from the tube, and the sand soon after employed for building purposes. The Terebella having completed its laborious and well-executed task, seemed to be quite exhausted, and lay to all appearance lifeless for the succeeding four and twenty hours. When walking along the sandy beach, myriads of peculiar objects may be seen swayed to and fro by the roll of the waves. Frequently, when the tide has receded, these tubes remain sticking out of the sand to the height of two or three inches, each terminating in a tuft, like the end of a piece of cord that had been teazed out. Within such a fragile habitation dwells the _Terebella littoralis_, the most common species of the marine tubiculous Annelids. I have very often tried, by aid of my fingers only, or a strong spade, to capture one of these creatures, but have never been successful, even in a solitary instance. Yet several authors tell their readers the task is perfectly easy. Mr. Lewes, for instance, made me feel ashamed of my previous manipulative efforts when I read his vivid description of a Terebella hunt, and caused me lately to journey a distance of six miles to try my hand again, with no better result than hitherto.