Two typical characters of the Hemichordata that can be observed and used to identify them are:
i) Soft, worm-like or short unsegmented body.
ii) Body is divided into a (i) proboscis (ii) collar and (iii) trunk which are distinguishably visible.
Two more typical features can be seen only after dissecting a hemichordate. These are
i) A 'notochord' like projection at the anterior end. It is endodermal in origin and not a notochord (which is mesodermal in origin).
ii) An intra-epidermal nervous system.