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LIFE, IE ITS LOWER FORMS. 
CHAPTER XII. 
Echinodermata (i Star-fishes ). 
Continued. 
We have already, in the course of these pages, brought 
before the reader some singular phases and conditions of 
Life ; and have shewn that its forms and conditions are 
not at all confined to those limits which circumscribe it 
in the nobler creatures. One of tlio most remarkable of 
such curiosities of vitality now comes before our notice in 
the existence of certain organs, so unique in their forms 
and functions, so apparently independent of the animal’s 
will in their movements, that it was long a matter of dis- 
pute whether they were truly organic appendages or 
merely parasitic intruders. We refer to the Pedicellarim 
of the Urchins and Star-fishes. 
If we look at a Sea-urchin disporting himself in his 
clear element, we shall presently see among the spines 
and suckers, even with the naked eye, objects that are 
distinct from either. We had better apply a lens to them, 
however, when we shall discover their appearance and 
actions distinctly. They are very numerous, crowded 
irregularly on most parts of the skin, but especially around 
the mouth. There are several forms ; but in general they 
