lilNN^AN SYSTEM. VERMES. 



160 



into an intelligible shape this immense assemblage of 

 animals^ we subjoin the characters he gives to the five 

 principal divisions or orders under which he arranged 

 the whole. However faulty they may now be thought, 

 scientifically, we cannot but admire the ray of genius 

 which he has cast over them. 



I. Intestine. Intestinal Worms are of a formation 

 the most simple, and live, some within other animals, 

 some in water, and a few in the earth. The Gordius 

 (hair-worm) perforates clay to give a passage to springs 

 and water ; the Lumbricus (or earth-worm) pierces the 

 earth, that it may be exposed to the action of the air 

 and moisture ; in like manner the Teredo penetrates 

 wood, and the Pholas and Mytilus rocks, to effect their 

 dissolution. 



II. MoLLuscA. Pulpy Worms. These are naked, fur- 

 nished with tentacula or arms, for the most part inha- 

 bitants of the sea, and by their phosphorous quality 

 illuminate the dark abyss of waters, reflecting their light 

 to the firmament : thus what is beneath the water cor- 

 responds with that which is above. 



III. Testacea. Shell-fish. These are Mollusca co- 

 vered with calcareous habitations or shells, which they 

 carry about with them, themselves producing and often 

 penetrating calcareous bodies : like insects, they are 

 multiplied into a vast number of species and varieties, 

 and both in form and colours exhibit splendid ex- 

 amples of the Almighty Artificer. 



IV. ZooPHYTA {Coralline Wo7-ms) are composite ani- 

 mals, holding a medium between animals and vegetables. 

 Most of them take root and grow up into stems, mul- 

 tiplying hfe in their branches and deciduous buds, and 

 in the transformation of their animated blossoms or 

 polypes which are endowed with spontaneous motion. 

 Plants, therefore, resemble zoophytes, but are destitute 

 of animation and the power of locomotion ; and zoo- 

 phytes are, as it were, plants, but furnished with 

 sensation and the organs of spontaneous motion. Of 

 these some are soft and naked, and are called Zoophytes ; 



m'3 



