312 FOSSIL ECHINO DEEMS. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Proof of Design in the Structure of Fossil Radiated Animals, 

 or Zoophytes. 



The same difficulties which we have felt in selecting from 

 other grand Divisions of the animal kingdom, subjects of 

 comparison between the extinct and living forms of their re- 

 spective Classes, Orders, and Families, embarrass our choice 

 also from the last Division that remains for consideration. 

 Volumes might be filled with descriptions of fossil species of 

 those beautiful genera of Radiated Animals, whose living 

 representatives crowd the waters of our present seas. 



The result of all comparisons between the living and fossil 

 species of these families would be, that the latter differ al- 

 most always in species, and often in genus, fi'om those 

 which actually exist ; but that all are so similarly constructed 

 on one and tlie same general Type, and show such perfect 

 Unity of Design throughout the infinitely varied medica- 

 tions, under which they now perform, and ever have per- 

 formed the functions allotted to them, that we can find no 

 explanation of such otherwise mysterious Uniformity, than 

 by referring it to the agency of one and the same Creative 

 Intelligence. 



SECTION I. 



FOSSIL ENCHINODERMS. 



The animals that compose this highest Class in the grand 

 division of Radiated animals, viz. Echinidans, Stelleridans, 

 and Crinoideans, have, till lately, been considered as made 



