SEA-ANEMONES: THEIR WEAPONS -421 



incline to the hypothesis that the cavity of the ecthorceum, 

 in its primal inverted condition, while it yet remains coiled 

 up in the cnida, is occupied with the potent fluid in ques- 

 tion, and that it is poured out gradually within the tissues 

 of the victim, as the evolving tip of the wire penetrates 

 further and further into the wound." 



I do not think that the whole range of organic exist- 

 ence affords a more wonderful example than this of the 

 minute workmanship and elaboration of the parts; the 

 extraordinary modes in which certain prescribed ends are 

 attained, and the perfect adaptation of the contrivance to 

 the work which it has to do. We must remember that all 

 this complexity is found in an animal which it is customary 

 to consider as of excessively simple structure. But the 

 ways of Grod are past finding out. These are but parts 

 of His ways. 



