400 PECULIARITIES OF THE SHORT SUN-FISH. 



column is still a problem,* and must be sought for, probably, 

 as a circumstance connected with, the development. What- 

 ever it may be, it must be considered as the means of adapt- 

 ing the structure of the animal to some peculiarity in its 

 habits or economy. 



* I have not assumed the short spinal cord of the Orthagoriscus inola as 

 the cause of the stunting of the osseous column, as there are contradictory 

 facts which must be explained before we can connect the length of the latter 

 in the embryonic and adult series with the length of the former. 



