CONCLUDING SUMMAET. 
569 
appearing to present the same kind of transition from Sponges towards Foraminifera, 
that, if my view he correct, is afforded by Carpenteria from Foraminifera towards 
Sponges. 
233. The above reasons appear to me so strongly in favour of that idea of the essen- 
tially spongeous nature of the animal of Carpenteria, which had been from the first 
entertained by Dr. J. E. Gray, as to leave me little room for hesitation in the belief that 
such is its real character; so that, until the contrary shall be proved, we seem justified 
in regarding this curious organism as a Ehizopod which in virtue of its shell is 
foraminiferous, whilst in virtue of the animal body which that shell contains it is 
spongeous. 
Concluding Summary. 
[Added during the printing of the Paper.] 
234. In bringing to a close the present series of Researches on the Organization of 
the Foraminifera, I think it desirable to combine a summary of the most important 
results which I have obtained, with some remarks on their bearing, not merely on the 
method to be followed in the attempt to frame a natural classification of this group, but 
upon some of those higher questions relating to the origin and value of differential 
characters generally, which have recently been brought prominently under the consider- 
ation of the scientific world. In so doing it is my desire to confine myself strictly to the 
scientific and practical aspect of these questions ; seeking in the first place to determine, 
on the legitimate basis of induction, what general principles may be either certainly or 
probably educed from the comparison of the large body of facts which have been 
brought together by myself and others as regards the mutual relations of Foraminifera ; 
and then briefly inquiring how far the results of similar comparisons made upon other 
types of organized structure justify the extension of the same principles to the Animal 
and Vegetable kingdoms at large. 
235. It may be well for me to advert in limine to certain features in this inquuy, that 
render the group to which it relates singularly adapted for a comparison at once minute 
and comprehensive amongst a wide range of individual forms. — The size of the greater 
part of these organisms is so small, that many hundreds, thousands, or even tens of 
thousands of them may be contained in a pill-box ; and yet it is usually not too minute 
to prevent the practised observer from distinguishing the most important peculiarities of 
each individual by a hand-magnifier alone, or fi’oni dealing with it separately by a very 
simple kind of manipulation. Hence the systematist can easily select and arrange in 
series such of his specimens as display sufficient mutual conformity, whilst he sets apart 
such as are transitional or osculant ; and an extensive range of varieties may thus be 
displayed within so small a compass, that the most divergent and the connecting forms 
are all recognizable nearly in the same glance. I am not acquainted with any other 
were transmitted by Mr. Macdoxald to the Admiralty. I have not yet succeeded, however, in obtaining 
a sight of them. 
MDCCCLX. 4 F 
