264 Jfew Publications. ^April, 



out of the upward line by the peculiar vital powers of the species. 

 The rotifera are decidedly crustacean in type. The bryozoa, or 

 flustroid polyps are allied to the tunicata. It is a side-develop- 

 ment from the imaginary line, which connects the infusoria with 

 the tunicated molluscs. The entozoa afford other examples, one 

 branch of them passing into Crustacea, through the lernaeidffi and 

 caligidaB, and the other into the annelida. 



" These remarks are intended to support no monad or lamarckian 

 theory, but only to elucidate the established principle that there 

 are in nature certain distinct systems or types of developments. 

 Each species is developed with some reference to one or the other 

 of these systems, but, through the agency of the vital forces pe- 

 culiar to it — forces which, there is reason to believe, only crea- 

 tive power can change. 



" Again, the animal kingdom is throughout a network of affilia- 

 tions, yet there are main trunks and larger branches, to which the 

 smaller anastomosing ramifications are subordinate. Systems of 

 3s and 5s, look pretty to the mathematical eye, and have some 

 foundation in nature; yet, in tracing affinities, it is better first 

 actually to ascertain relations, and then to map them out, rather 

 than force the devious windings of nature into circles large and 

 small." 



In the foregoing notice of Mr. Dana's work, we have by no 

 means attempted to give anything like a complete analysis. How 

 much we may have desired this, the sphere in which our journal 

 moves would hardly permit the details which it would require. 

 We were desirous, however, of doing something to assist in its 

 circulation and make known its value to our friends; besides, we 

 wish on all occasions to recommend the study of the natural 

 sciences, to excite a taste for them, and bespeak a regard for 

 them in all parts of our country. It is proper to observe, in con- 

 clusion, that the work under consideration is merely an introduc- 

 tion to a still larger work upon Zoophytes, and which is, as we 

 are informed, illustrated by numerous colored plates. 



