19th century Deyrolle sandworm model

An anatomical model of the sandworm, unsigned, but attributed to e. Deyrolle (1838-1917). The model is made of polychrome painted wood, on an ebonized plate.The sandworm is the common representative of the Polychaeta, which is a paraphyletic class of generally marine annelid worms, commonly called bristle worms. Each body segment has a pair of fleshy protrusions called parapodia that bear many bristles, called chaetae. More than 10,000 species are described in this class. Common representatives include the lugworm (Arenicola marina) and the sandworm or clam worm Alitta.Dimensions 42 x 55 x 13 cm.