10 GRAND DIVISIONS. 



The process of reproduction among this di- 

 vision of animals resembles that of plants with 

 perfect flowers, Some of them may be propaga- 

 ted by cuttings like plants. In this^ and in some 

 other particulars, they seem to partake of the na- 

 ture of plants and animals ; and are therefore cal- 

 led zoophytes, or animal-plants. They are the 

 most simple in their organization, and seem to 

 have been some of the earliest inhabitants of the 

 earth ; as some of the species are found in the 

 oldest rocks, which contain any petrifactions. 



Example. Sea-hedghog, starfish, sea-nettle, 

 corals, corallines, animalcule, tape-worm. 



II. MOLLUSCOUS ANIMALS. 



In this division the sentient principle is lodged 

 in a number of medullary masses, dispersed in 

 different parts of a soft body. Ani though the 

 medullary masses are not always united by nervous 

 filaments, the organs of sense and motion are ar- 

 ranged more or less on two sides of a nervous aww 

 or longitudinal series of medullary masses. 



The principal medullary mass is situated upon 

 the throat. The circulatory system is considera- 

 bly 7 complicated ; much more so than that of the 

 articulated division. The blood is dark colour- 

 ed or blue. Fibrin appears more abundant thau 

 in vertebral animals. Their muscles are attach- 

 ed to many parts of the skin, forming a tissue 

 more or less complicated and compact. By va- 

 rious contractions and elongations they move^ 

 swim, and perform other motions. They have 

 considerable irratibility 5 the naked skin is rery 



