Mr H. Goodsir on the Sexes of the Cirripeds, Sfc, 95 



a circumstance which must now entirely decide the question 

 as to the crustaceological character of the Cirriped. 



As to the objections which may be raised against this animal 

 being the male of the Balanus, it may be asked, why has it 

 not been observed before ? This question may be met in more 

 ways than one. It is a fact consistent with our knowledge of 

 the Crustacea, that the males of many species become visible 

 during certain seasons only; also, that one impregnation is 

 suflScient for several generations. Now, these very facts are 

 known, and have been proved to take place amongst the very 

 species of Crustaceans with which the Cirriped must be 

 arranged. These facts must serve to strengthen our opinion 

 as to the natural arrangement of the Cirripeds in the animal 

 kingdom. 



The male of the Balanus becomes visible, without doubt, at 

 certain seasons only. During the season of love, the posterior 

 portion of the body which seems to contain the organs of gene- 

 ration, is much enlarged ; and after the act of impregnation 

 has been fulfilled, these organs become atrophied for a season. 

 Looking upon this suggestion, then, as the true one, it cannot 

 be wondered at that the anterior part of the body, which is so 

 very minute, should escape observation within the body of the 

 female animal. It is also a curious fact, and supports the 

 above suggestions, namely, that in those specimens where the 

 ova have reached the mantle, the male is not seen, having 

 only been found in those as yet apparently unimpregnated. 

 Since there are many points of similitude between this animal 

 and others of the Crustacea, it may be well to direct attention 

 to some of these. 



To the Lernseje, in general, it has many points of connec- 

 tion, but to none so nearly as to those belonging to the 

 " Tribes dcs Ergasiliens" of M. Edwards, and to the only 

 species of the genus Nicothoa of that tribe it has a most strik- 

 ing likeness. The Cirripeds, however, are analogically con- 

 nected to this tribe in many respects. The larvae of the Ler- 

 nseae and Cirripeds resemble one another very closely in their 

 internal as well as external structure. The larvae of both are 

 free animals; but as they arrive at maturity, the females become 

 permanently fixed and monstrous, and the males are attached 

 to the body of the female, upon or near to the organs of gene- 



