2J4 FUNCTIONS AND INSTINCTS. 



mals would be rather an incumbrance to an 

 Echinidan, as well as a deformity; it is therefore 

 furnished with a set of organs better adapted to 

 its peculiar station, wants, and functions, in a 

 numerous set of retractile tubes 1 capable of the 

 necessary extension, fitted at their extremity with 

 a cup acting as a cupping-glass or sucker, and 

 enabling the animal to adhere, with irresistible 

 force, to any substance to which it applies them, 

 and discharging at the same time the functions 

 of hands to lay hold of their prey and convey it 

 to their mouth, of legs and feet to stay themselves 

 upon, and of lungs to assist in their respiration. 



The workmanship also in these animal struc- 

 tures is as beautiful and striking as the contri- 

 vance manifested in them is wonderful. Their 

 protuberances, especially in the mammillary 

 sea-urchin, their variously sculptured spines, 

 their tentacular suckers, all by their perfect 

 finish and admirable forms declare The hand 

 that made us is divine since they exceed in all 

 these respects the most elaborate human works. 



The third and last section of the Echinoderms, 

 or spiny-skinned Radiaries, are the Fistulidam* 

 Amongst these we may notice the Sea-anemonics* 

 marine animals, fixing themselves to the rocks, 

 but having the power of locomotion, which from 

 a common base send forth what appear to be a 



1 PLATE III. FIG. 5. 2 Fistulides, Lam. 



3 Actinia. 



