462 CLASSIFICATIONS OF ZOOPHYTES. 



the Hydrolda^ Asteroida, and Helianthoida, names which have 

 been adopted by British naturalists in general. 



Very recently it has been proposed to divide our radiated 

 zoophytes into two classes, the Hi/drozoa, equivalent to the 

 order Z. Hydroida, and the Anthozoa, which is made to in- 

 clude the orders Asteroida and Helianthoida.* The proposal 

 seems to me a retrograde step in classification ; and in this 

 edition of my work I adhere to the system adopted in the 

 first, with a very few and immaterial changes. To the pri- 

 mary sections I have given the names to which they are enti- 

 tled on the claims of priority ; and I have followed the sug- 

 gestion of M. Gervais in dividing the ascidioida or polyzoan 

 tribes into two orders, the constituents of one being entirely 

 marine, while those of the other are as exclusively the deni- 

 zens of fresh water. 



" And now, should it be asked, granting all this to be true, to 

 what end has so much labour been bestowed in the demonstration ? 

 I can only answer, that as to me these disquisitions have opened new 

 scenes of wonder and astonishment, in contemplating how variously, 

 how extensively life is distributed through the universe of things : 

 so it is possible, that the facts here related, and these instances of 

 nature animated in a part hitherto unsuspected, may excite the like 

 pleasing ideas in others ; and in minds more capacious and penetrat- 

 ing, lead to farther discoveries, farther proofs (should such be want- 

 ing), that One infinitely wise, good, all-powerful Being has made, 

 and still upholds, the whole of what is good and perfect ; and hence 

 we may learn, that, if creatures of so low an order in the great scale 

 of nature are endued with faculties that enable them to fill up their 

 sphere of action with such propriety ; we likewise, who are advanced 

 so many gradations above them, owe to ourselves, and to Him who 

 made us and all things, a constant application to acquire that degree 

 of rectitude and perfection, to which we also are endued with facul- 

 ties of attaining." — Ellis. 



• Owen's Lectures, p. 86, 87. Lond. 1843. 



