42 Mr. G. Hodge on the Development of a Species of Pycnogon. 
true position, especially by Quatrefages*, I think, if anything 
were wanting to show their connexion with the Crustacea, the 
mere phases in their development would be sufficient to decide 
the matter, and convince those who wish to remove them from 
this class of their error. 
The teachings of development must ever exercise a powerful 
voice in classification ; and when we see so many instances of the 
degradation of some animals and elevation of others, in con- 
sequence of the increase of our knowledge in this direction, we 
must all allow that, until we are fully conversant with the life- 
history of an animal, no matter how profound our other acquaint- 
ance with it may be, we have still much to learn. Nearly every 
animal that we can,name possesses some wonderful story which 
requires unfolding as to its early life; and as our knowledge 
in this direction is extended, we trace step by step the con- 
nexion of one form with another, and prove that forms now 
regarded by zoologists as fully matured, and therefore described 
as so many distinct species, are but the varied phases assumed 
by some one animal during the singular stages of its develop- 
ment. Hence the value of the study of development—that 
great law of life, everywhere seen and everywhere at work, silent 
but sure, teeming with beauty, and elevating all who rightly 
ponder and study the manifold mercies and wisdom of the great 
Creator who has made so many and such varied forms of life— 
varied in form, varied in habit, and varied in usefulness, but all 
showing a marvellous beauty of design and adaptation of form 
and habits to the several circumstances of their lives. 
In conclusion, I have to express my thanks to my esteemed 
friend the Rev. A. M. Norman for the valuable advice and assist- 
ance he has so kindly afforded me during my investigations and 
in the preparation of this paper. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 
Puate IV. 
Fig. 1. Early appearance of larva of Phoxichilidium coccineum, removed 
from ovum attached to female. 
Figs. 2 & 3. Further stages, showing the early appearance of foot-jaws and 
rudimentary legs. 
Fig. 4. Well-developed larval stage, with foot-jaws, rudimentary legs, and 
their filamentous appendages. 
Fig. 5. The same, more highly magnified, and showing more distinctly the 
several parts. 
Fig. 6. Branch of Coryne eximia, with sacs of various forms, and in several 
of the positions they occupy upon the polypary. 
Fig. 7. Branch of C. eximia, with a sac at the extremity of a stem, anda 
young polype in course of formation at the extremity of another 
stem. 
_* See Quatrefages in ‘ Annales des Sciences Naturelles.’ 
