Cit vr bh ER. Xe 
THE CIRRHOPODA. 
EVEN supposing that we had reached the limit of our subject, and 
had chronicled the wonders of the ocean life, enough has been said 
to show that the sea is far more prolific in variety of forms, and in 
curiosities of organisation, than the world which is above the 
waters. But more remains to be recorded, and as we advance, 
each step brings us to curious forms which excite our wonder and 
elicit our admiration. None of the animals we have examined are 
perhaps more remarkable than those which occupy the transition 
state between annelids and the crustaceans. 
The Axatifera partake of the characteristics of both, and yet 
have a physiognomy peculiarly their own. This construction will 
at once be understood by a glance at the bunch of barnacles in 
the engraving. A shell, much in the shape of a mitre, composed 
of five pieces, two on each side and one on its back, is supported 
on a remarkably thick stalk; this stalk is hollow and flexible, 
possessing the ring formation of the annelids. 
Since the anatifera are unable to move, we pronounce their 
organisation to be of a lower type than that of either of their 
neighbours, for it would not be in accordance with that wisdom 
which is “over all his works,” if quicker and finer sensibilities were 
bestowed upon a creature which did not enjoy the power of loco- 
motion. There is a fine balance and adjustment in everything, 
and where we find activity of limb and rapidity of motion, they 
are sure to be accompanied by a lively sensibility ; but where, as 
in the kingdom of vegetation, and in many of the animals, the 
creature is unable to move from its fixed position—unable to 
flee from danger, or to go from an unpleasant or uncongenial 
neighbourhood—there we find that it either exhibits no signs of 
sensibility at all, or else its perceptions are of the very lowest 
degree. Therefore, we may justly conclude that a fixed creature, 
