[19] The best published description of the structure of the shell of a sessile Cirripede, is given by Dr. Coldstream, in the ‘Encyclopædia of Anatomy and Physiology,’ article ‘Cirrhopoda.’
Structure of Shell.
When the shell of a sessile Cirripede or barnacle, for instance, of a [Balanus], is first examined, the structure appears extremely complicated; but this can hardly be considered as really the case. The structure will, I think, be best understood by recalling to mind that of Pollicipes,—the oldest known genus, from which, in one sense, all ordinary Cirripedes, both sessile and pedunculated, seem to radiate. I must premise, and the fact in itself deserves early notice, that the homologies of the several parts in the pedunculated and sessile Cirripedes admits of no doubt,—that is, if amongst the pedunculated, the genus Pollicipes, or certain species of Scalpellum, be taken as a standard of comparison.[20] The peduncle corresponds with the basis, as may be clearly seen, if a Pollicipes with a short peduncle, and a [Balanus], with a deep cup-formed or cylindrical basis be compared, for the contained parts are similar, and both grow at their upper edges upwards and outwards. Secondly, the valves round the lower part of the capitulum of a Pollicipes, though generally much more numerous, and forming more than one whorl or circle, and not so closely packed together, answer to the compartments forming the shell of a sessile Cirripede; this is shown by their lateral and downward growth, by their upper ends generally projecting freely above the cavity in which the animal’s body is lodged; and in the case Pollicipes mitella, by an actual resemblance in outline, some being triangular, some broad at the upper end, and some sub-rhomboidal, and, lastly, in the manner in which they slightly overlap and indent each other: moreover further resemblances in the relative position and even in the size of the several valves, will hereafter be pointed out between certain sessile genera amongst the [Chthamalinæ] and certain genera of the Lepadidæ. Thirdly, the scuta and terga in Pollicipes, so strikingly resemble in manner of growth in position relatively to the animal’s body—in shape—and even in being articulated together, the valves which form the operculum or lid of sessile Cirripedes, that their identity is at once obvious.
[20] Dr. J. E. Gray long ago observed these homologies. If Lepas be taken, the comparison is not quite so simple, owing to the growth of all the valves in that genus being upwards; but in several species of Scalpellum we may see the intermediate steps between the normal downward growth of the valves in Pollicipes, and the abnormal upward growth in Lepas.
It may be well here further to premise, that apparently none of the sutures in the shells of Cirripedes correspond with the articulations between the three archetype cephalic segments, of which the whole shell is formed; or with the eight elemental pieces, of which each separate segment in the archetype crustacean is known to consist. But, as I believe, the several valves in the shell of a Cirripede are homologous, or at least analogous, with the sclerodermic plates,[21] of which the carapace of the Podophthalmia is formed; with this difference, that in the latter they become, after their first formation, united together into a single piece, and are thus moulted as a whole; whereas in Cirripedes, the valves or sclerodermic plates are not moulted, but continue to be added to throughout life.
[21] Milne Edwards, ‘Annales des Sciences Naturelles,’ tom. xviii, (1852), p. 236.
In Pollicipes, there is no difficulty in understanding the growth of the lower valves of the capitulum, especially if a species be taken in which these valves stand a little way apart: at each period of growth, they are added to at their basal edges and a little way up both sides; at the same time, a new membrane connecting them together is formed, the old membrane disintegrating, or being left hanging in tatters to the last zone of growth. Now if we look at the shell of a sessile Cirripede, there is no essential difference in the growth of the compartments or valves; all grow downwards and laterally; but they overlap each other much more laterally than in Pollicipes, and the connecting membrane is in most parts reduced to a mere film jammed in between the valves; but, in the case of the opercular membrane, it still remains wide, and is periodically moulted.
In the annexed woodcut (fig. [1]), of the rostrum of [Balanus Hameri], the downward growth and the lateral growth on both sides is plain. The modified sides (rr) for convenience sake, have been called the radii; they invariably overlap the adjoining compartments. The middle part (p), has been called the wall, or parietal portion: in the specimen figured, the walls and radii are distinctly separated, but in some cases, especially amongst the [Chthamalinæ], the lines of growth are absolutely continuous from one to the other. In fig. [2] of a Lateral compartment of the same Balanus, we have the same essential structure; but the left side (a) is more protuberant, and is hollowed out in its lower half; it is, also, more distinctly separated from the parietal portion: this side has for convenience been called the ala; it is invariably overlapped by the adjoining compartment: in some few cases, as in [Pachylasma], the ala is not hollowed out in its lower part, and from being added to in a straight line along its whole edge, with the lines of growth continuous with those on the wall, it differs hardly at all in appearance from a radius. Lastly, in fig. [3] of the carina, or compartment facing the rostrum, we have alæ (aa) on both sides; these being, as in all cases, overlapped by the adjoining compartments.
Fig. 1.