ECIIIXODERMATA. 55 



by Mr. Peach at the York ]\Iecting of the British Associa- 

 tion, in 1844, bears the singular name of "the nigger," 

 from its dark colour, and the "cotton-spinner," from its 

 long white threads.* 



The members of the sixth family {SipuncuUdce) in external 

 appearance resemble worms ; but, from an examination of their 

 internal structure, it is ascertained that they must, in reality, 

 be classed among the Star-fishes. They are not furnished 

 with suckers, nor do they exhibit any quinary arrangement of 

 parts; and their movements are so entirely those of worms, 

 that they are, with great propriety, termed " Vennigrade 

 Echinodermata.'' Some are found under stones, some burrow 

 in sand, and some select as their mansion an empty univalve 

 shell; their habits, however, are as yet imperfectly known. 



We have now completed our proposed sketch of the radiate 

 annuals, commencing with the microscopic animalcules, and 

 advancing to those in which the radiated structure attains its 

 highest perfection. To all we may apply the remark witli 

 which Professor Forbes concludes the excellent work from 

 which we have so largely quoted. 



" Among the British Echiuodermata we have seen some of 

 the most extraordinary forms in the animal kingdom; some of 

 tlie most wonderful structures and of the strangest habits. 

 Much yet remains to be done towards their elucidation, and 

 the investigation of them, both structurally and formally, pre- 

 sents a wide field of inquiry to the student of nature, as yet 

 but imperfectly explored. The great naturalist of Denmark, 



• THr. C. "W. Peach is one of those lovers of natural history whose 

 ardour in the pursuit surmounts all difficulties. At the time we first 

 made his acquaintance, in 1841, he held a very subordinate situation in 

 the coast guard, and liad a numerous family dependent on his scanty 

 pay. He was the schoolmaster of his own children, and the superin- 

 tendent of the Sunday school of the \'illage of Goran Haven, Cornwall, 

 where he then resided. Yet, notwithstanding his ceaseless avocations, 

 and the laborious night and day duties of his situation, natural history 

 was never neglected ; and in his solitary rides alpng the beach, his eye, 

 trained to obse^^•e, was ever on the alert. Thus he collected the mate- 

 rials for several communications on Geologj- and Zoology, made by him 

 at successive meetings of the British Association. We are happy to 

 add that some of the influential members of that botly, appreciating his 

 exertions, represented them to government in such colours, that he was 

 appointed to a situation of comparative ease and comfort in the custom- 

 house at Fowey. He has since been promoted, and is now at 

 Wick, Caithness-sliirc. 



