142 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 
THE PALEONTOLOGIC RECORD. III 
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY IN INVERTEBRATE EX- 
TINCT ORGANISMS 
By RUDOLF RUEDEMANN 
STATH MUSEUM, ALBANY, N. Y. 
HE inquiry into the position of anatomy and physiology in in- 
vertebrate paleontology seems very appropriate at present, since 
paleontology is steadily becoming more closely affiliated to zoology, and 
the sphere of zoology is at present dominated by comparative anatomy 
and physiology. 
Since, however, invertebrate paleontology has only the hard parts, 
mostly outer shells, at its disposal, the view still prevailing among 
zoologists that little is to be expected from it in regard to the solution 
of the problems of anatomy and physiology of the lower animals seems 
natural. Nevertheless, the results already attained prove that if paleon- 
tologists do not approach their material with a geological knowledge 
only, as has been done in the past altogether too often, most gratifying 
results may be obtained, at least in some classes, for it must be con- 
ceded that the connection of the hard parts with the fleshy parts is very 
unlike in different classes; it is very intimate in some, as the crinoids 
and brachiopods, and again more indifferent, as in the gastropods. 
But it is not claiming too much for invertebrate paleontology if we 
say that where the hard parts are of great structural importance, 
paleontology has earlier taken cognizance of this fact and consequently 
gone ahead of zoology. As an instance I may cite Zittel’s investigations 
of the skeleton of the hexactinellid sponges which have taught the 
fundamental importance of the form of the spicules and the structure 
of the skeleton in that class and whose results have been readily 
adopted by zoologists. In classes which, as the brachiopods and crinoids, 
are to-day mere shadows of their former greatness, paleontology has its 
greatest chance, and it would fail in its task if it would there not be- 
come the instructor of the affiliated science; and it is gratifying to see 
that this fact is finding recognition, as, for instance, in Ray Lankester’s 
“Treatise of Zoology,” where the chapter on the crinoids has been 
entrusted to Bather, a paleontologist and one of the best authorities on 
crinoids. 
It is apparent that in such classes as those just mentioned, of which 
only the last ends of the branches are still alive, the origin and nature 
