THE BAY OF BISCAY. 175 



of living jelly, whilst the Planarias and the greater 

 number of Intestinal Worms in their estimation con- 

 sist of little else than Parenchyma. In their eyes, 

 this simplification of the organisms was carried to 

 such an extent that whole classes of animals were 

 regarded as altogether devoid of a nervous system. 



In France and Germany, these opposite doctrines 

 were attacked and supported with much heat and 

 asperity. The discussion was commenced without a 

 clear understanding on either side as to what is to be 

 understood by the expression inferior animals ! and 

 consequently it soon led to much exaggeration and 

 error. Various works published during the last few 

 years present the subject in its true aspect. Many 

 points of detail undoubtedly still need elucidation, 

 but it may be stated generally, that wherever we 

 study even the lowest animals with care and exact- 

 ness, the results of our investigations will show us 

 that even in their case a very decided organic com- 

 plication is apparent. The advocates of organic sim- 

 plicity are daily losing ground, and at present they 

 are unable to defend themselves except by having 

 recourse to the negative results yielded by the Infu- 

 soria ; that is to say, by beings whose excessive 

 minuteness places the majority beyond our means of 

 investigation. 



Amongst the most warmly discussed points of 

 fact or theory in this quarrel, we must place that of 

 the existence of distinct organs of the senses, and 

 more especially of eyes, in a great number of animals 

 which belong to the three divisions of the Mollusca, 

 Articulata, and Radiata, 



