CIRRIPEDES

There is a class of animals defended by multivalve shells, separated from the Molluscans not only by the more complex structure of their shells, but also by very material differences in the organization of the creatures that inhabit them. These Linné considered as forming a single genus, which he named Lepas, a word derived from the Greek lexicographers, and explained by Hesychius as meaning a kind of shell-fish that adheres to the rocks. In this country these animals are known by the general name of Barnacles. Lamarck, I believe, was the first who regarded them as entitled to the rank of a class, which he denominated Cirrhipeda, not conscious, that by the insertion of the aspirate, he made his term, like Monoculus, half Greek and half Latin: later writers who have adopted the class, to avoid this barbarism, have changed the term to Cirrhopoda, but as this gives a different meaning to the word, changing fringed or tendril-legs, very happily expressing the most striking character of the animals intended, into yellow-legs, which does not indicate any prominent feature, I shall, after Dr. Leach and Mr. W. S. Mac Leay, omitting the aspirate, call them Cirripeda, or Cirripedes.

These animals have a soft body, protected by a multivalve shell. They are without eyes, or any distinct head; have no powers of locomotion, but are fixed to various substances.