198 Mr. H. J* Carter on the Value of the " Villi " 



battery, or is analogous to a galvanic battery of many small pairs ; 

 for (1) the body consists of many segments; (2) there are nearly 

 as many nervous ganglions as segments (normally as many) ; 

 and (3) the animals in the more typical species have extreme 

 rapidity of movement and high instincts. The small number 

 of ganglions in most Spiders is evidently due to a coalescence of 

 several in the one central thoracic ganglion, as in Crabs. 



In the highest Mollusks, the Cephalopods (Cuttle-fish, &c.), 

 the Invertebrate quantity-battery reaches its greatest power. 



Vertebrates also appear to correspond to a quantity-battery 

 (as shown by the simplicity of the nervous system), but to one 

 admitting of vastly greater power. 



XX. — On the Value of the " Villi" on the surface o/ Amoeba as 

 a Specific Distinction. By H. J. Carter, F.R.S. &c. 



In Article XIII. of the ^Annals^ for August 1863, vol. xii. p. Ill, 

 Dr. Wallich calls upon me to account for many things — more 

 than I have time now to answer. 



I rejoice, however, to see that he has taken up the study of 

 the freshwater Rhizopoda so zealously, and hope that he may 

 make much progress in it ; for, regarding a correct knowledge 

 of these elementary forms of life as, at present, the alphabet, so 

 to write, of organized creation, I shall not be found wanting in 

 gratitude to him for every moment that he may devote, and for 

 the smallest trifle that he may add, to our information respecting 

 the Amoeba ; while, if I fail in this, or am guilty of the opposite, 

 viz. of detracting from him, which has not been, nor ever will be, 

 done intentionally, I am certain, on the other hand, that he will 

 obtain that justice and be allowed that priority from those 

 acquainted with the subject, which truth and right in the end 

 always secure in matters patent to public scrutiny. But not 

 being particularly ambitious of such awards myself (as I am for 

 the most part satisfied if I can obtain the publication of anything 

 which I think may be useful, in a truthful form and to the best 

 of my ability), I may perhaps on this account be backward in 

 acknowledging the assistance that I derive from others, where 

 this does not appear to me to be absolutely necessary for the 

 subject on which I may be writing. 



I would, however, wish it to be understood that my remarks 

 on Amoeba princeps ('Annals' for July 1863, p. 30) were chiefly 

 derived from observations made on this species of Amoiba, in 

 Devonshire, in April last ; while those by Dr. Wallich were made 

 in London about the same time on an Amoeba which he then 

 considered to be such " a well-marked species " that he adds 



