CHAP. XIV - Functions and Instincts. Entomostracan Condylopes

Summary

We are now arrived at a great branch of the animal kingdom, which, in its higher tribes, exhibits Divine Wisdom, acting, in and by the instincts of creatures, small indeed in bulk, but mighty in operation, in a way truly admirable, indicating, in a most striking manner, the source from which it proceeds.

Some modern zoologists do not regard this vast and interesting branch as forming a group by itself, but have associated with it, under a common name, several of the preceding classes. Carus, in his Class of Articulated Animals, includes Lamarck's Worms and Annelidans; and Dr. Grant, in his Sub-kingdom, bearing the same appellation, adds to these the Wheel-animalcules and Cirripedes.

I cannot help thinking, however—taking the whole of their organization and structure into consideration, particularly their powers and means of locomotion and prehension—that it is best to regard those animals having jointed legs, and, mostly, a body formed of two or more segments, as constituting a separate Sub-kingdom. This is the view that my late illustrious and lamented friend, Latreille, has taken of this great group, named by him, from the above circumstance, Condylopes, which term, since that of Annulose animals, sometimes used, is synonymous with Annelidans I shall adopt in the present work.