EVOLUTION. 7 



Balanoglossus , which has characteristics of both 

 divisions, and appears to be an intermediate form or 

 Hnk between them. 



The radiates, or rayed animals, as the starfishes, 

 are also connected with the articulates by worm-like 

 forms uniting peculiarities of both ; and through the 

 sponges we find the radiates connected with the pro- 

 tozoans, or first forms of life, such as corals and sea 

 animalcules. 



Ascending from the fish, the lowest of the verte- 

 brates, we find animals between the fish and the frog, 

 and between frog and lizard, that link fishes and rep- 

 tiles. The differences between reptiles and birds are 

 very marked, and it would seem at first thought that 

 no connection could be found between them, but the 

 fossil archa;opteryx,2i\\ ancient winged bird with a long, 

 jointed tail and with teeth, is pronounced by Prof. 

 Vogt to be an undoubted intermediate form between 

 reptiles and birds. Fossils of flying reptiles are 

 found, and of land reptiles that approach the struct- 

 ure of birds. 



Birds and mammals are connected by living forms 

 found in Australia. The duck-billed water-mole has 

 webbed feet and a duck's bill, and the fur and tail of a 

 beaver, and has teeth. It has no teats, but forces 

 milk from little holes in one spot of its body. The 

 Echidna makes a little advance upon this by having 

 a pouch over these holes, and the kangaroo gives us 

 a still more advanced form. A great distinction 



