SKELETON OF VERTEBRATA. 407 



and containing the principal organs of the senses. 

 Further correspondences have been likewise 

 traced in the minuter anatomy of these parts, 

 which it would here occupy too much space to 

 examine in detail. 



An approximation is evidently made towards 

 an internal skeleton in the cephalopodous mol- 

 lusca; where we find a central body, cartila- 

 ginous in some species, calcareous in others. 

 In the Loligo it has a long and slender shape, 

 and is pointed at the end like the blade of a 

 sword ; it bears, as we shall hereafter notice, some 

 resemblance to the cartilaginous spine of the 

 fish called the Myxine, or Gastrobranchus, which 

 does not enclose the spinal marrow, but only 

 admits it to pass along a groove in its upper 

 edge. 



All these multiplied instances, when weighed 

 together, and united in a comprehensive view, 

 are sufficient to prove, that there exist very per- 

 ceptible links of connexion among all the classes 

 of created beings, even in those apparently the 

 most remote from one another. They render it 

 clear to the discerning eye of the philosophic 

 naturalist, that all the races of animated beings 

 are members of one family, and the offspring of 

 the same provident parent, who has matured all 

 his plans on a deeply premeditated system, and 

 who dispenses all his gifts with the most salutary 

 regard to the general welfare of his creatures. 



