I:-M llfUS 1 .;: 



!' . XXXI II 



Shell directed of the pinea, upper surface. 



Cnder portion of the shell divested of the spines. 

 6, 7. Sucker* enlarged. 

 8. DIK of the racker, magnified. 



I" Ee*i*t p*liiu (EcKnocyemv), shell, back aftr nature. 



11. Front. 



12. Surface of fig. 10, enlarged. 



It is rattu-r from compliance with the usage of modem naturalist*, 

 than from conviction of its utility, that I have introduced the subject 

 >f the present section under the name and character of Echinodtrmata. 



Possibly, my researches being limited, I have viewed such an ar- 

 rangement on too confined a scale to allow its full scope and ell 

 there appears little reason to expect cither its general adoption, or it- 

 stability. 



Uing could be productive of greater convenience, indeed, than 

 the permanent concentration in groups, or families, of the innumerable 

 animated beings dispersed throughout the universe. 



Rut the union must be founded on features pointed out by Nature, 

 distrusting those the arbitrary choice of mankind. 



Though Nature does not always speak in intelligible language, in- 

 at least to our humble capacities, while disguised by metaphor, 

 redundance, or defect, let as persevere in patient investigation, awaiting 

 explanations, sometimes reluctantly given. 



To sanction the formation of groups or families, the relation of ani- 

 mals should be seen in prominent features, readily and unequivocally 

 exposed, even to grosser sense. Here, the majority of observers will 

 be better satisfied with finding sufficient external distinctions, than 

 remitted to a search for such mysteries as dissection may reveal. 



We cannot confidently affirm that those definite conditions, 

 tuting a separate group, subsist in the preceding species ; that some pro- 



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