320 



MANUAL OF ZOOLOGY, 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



PTEROPODA. 



Class III. Pteropoda. — The Pteropoda are defined by being 

 free and pelagic, swimming by means of two wing-like appen- 

 dages (epipodia), developed from each side of the anterior 

 extremity of the body. The flexure of the intestine is neural. 



As to the position of the Pteropoda in the Molluscan scale, 

 they must be looked upon as inferior in organisation to any of 

 the Gasteropoda, of which class they are often regarded as the 

 lowest division. They permanently represent, in fact, the tran- 

 sient larval stage of the sea-snails. 



Fig. J14.- 



-Pteropoda. a Ciei'dorn pyramidaia ; b Cuvieria columtttUa, 

 (After Woodward.) 



The Pteropods are all of small size, and are found swim- 

 ming at the surface of the open ocean, often in enormous 

 numbers. Locomotion is eifected by two wing-like fins, devel- 

 oped from the sides of the head, and composed of the greatly 

 developed " epipodia." The true " foot " is rudimentary and 

 rarely distinct, but the " metapodium " is sometimes provided 

 with an operculum. There is usually a symmetrical glassy 

 shell (fig. 1 14), either consisting of a dorsal and ventral plate 

 united, or forming a spiral, but in some cases the body is 

 naked. The head is rudimentary, and bears the mouth, which 

 is occasionally tentaculate, and which is furnished with an 

 odontophore. There is a muscular stomach and a well-devel- 

 oped liver ; and the flexure of the intestine is neural, so that 

 the anus is situated on the ventral surface of the body. 



The heart consists of an auricle and ventricle. The respi- 

 ratory organ is very rudimentary, and consists of a ciliated 

 surface, which is either entirely unprotected, or may be con- 

 tained in a branchial chamber. 



The ganglia of the nervous system " are concentrated into 



