The last peculiarity in the cirri at all worth mentioning, is in the sub-genus [Acasta], in which, differently from in all other known Cirripedes, the anterior ramus of the fourth pair does not absolutely resemble the rami of the fifth and sixth pairs; in most of the species, the spines on this anterior ramus are more crowded together, are larger, and are mingled with some short thick points; and the spines in the dorsal tufts are also longer than in the two posterior pairs of cirri; but in [A. sulcata] (Pl. [29], fig. [2]), and in a lesser degree in [A. cyathus] and [A. purpurata], the front margins of the lower segments of this anterior ramus, and of the upper segment of the pedicel, are developed into strong, downwardly curved teeth: it is very remarkable that so beautiful a structure should be extremely variable, as it certainly is in [Acasta sulcata].
Caudal Appendages.
With extremely few exceptions, these are present in all the Lepadidæ and [Verrucidæ]; whereas amongst the [Balanidæ] they occur only in the two species of [Pachylasma], and in one species of [Catophragmus]; these being the genera most closely allied to the Lepadidæ, and where, consequently, their presence might have been anticipated. These appendages are seated close together over the anus; they are multiarticulate, each segment being sub-cylindrical, with a few small bristles round its upper edge.
Alimentary Canal.
I have not much on this head to add to what I have said under the Lepadidæ. As in that family, the strong internal membrane of the œsophagus terminates in a remarkable, bell-shaped expansion (Pl. [26], fig. [3], g′), which, as observed by M. St. Ange, serves to keep the upper broad end of the stomach expanded. The œsophagus is well furnished with constrictor and radiating muscles for closing and opening it; and it is thus capable of a strong swallowing movement. The stomach runs down to the lower end of the prosoma, and then doubling back on itself extends to the anus. As the prosoma is much elongated in [Tubicinella] and [Xenobalanus], so is the stomach of unusual length in these genera. In several species of [Balanus], the upper edge of the stomach is surrounded by from six to eight cæca; these cæca I ascertained, in [Balanus perforatus], are branched, and penetrate a considerable way into the body; and some of them at least expand a little at their extremities. Each cæcum, from the manner in which it retained fluid, must, I think, be furnished, at the point where it enters the stomach, with a sphincter muscle. In [Tetraclita], [Chthamalus], [Tubicinella], [Coronula], and [Xenobalanus], there are no cæca; but in [Xenobalanus] and [Coronula balænaris], there are longitudinal, approximate folds in the upper, broad end of the stomach, which would serve to expose the food to a greater extent of digesting surface.[37]
[37] The presence and absence of these cæca in genera so closely allied as [Balanus] and [Tetraclita], shows, I think, that these cavities are not of high importance; and I must doubt whether Von Siebold’s view (‘Anatomie Comparée,’ tom. i, p. 445), that these cæca form a passage to a true or isolated liver, such as exists in the higher Crustacea, can be admitted. Cæca are said by Von Siebold to occur in some of the Entomostraca, as Daphnia, Argulus, &c.
As in the case of the Lepadidæ, a transparent, structureless, epithelial tube, composed of chitine, containing more or less digested food, is found, in specimens preserved in spirits, occupying the whole length of the stomach, and where there are cæca, sending branched prolongations into them. It does not extend into the œsophagus or into the rectum. This epithelial tube or model of the stomach, filled with excrement, is expelled by the rectum, whole, that is in a single piece, as I observed in some living specimens of [Balanus balanoides]: in some specimens, however, of [Chthamalus stellatus], the excrement was ejected, perhaps from the animal being confined, in fragments, and the sack thus became befouled. Beneath the epithelial layer, the stomach is lined by a delicate, pulpy and cellular mucus layer, which easily peels off in flakes: this is surrounded by a muscular layer with the fibres closely approximated and transverse; and this by a layer of stronger, longitudinal muscles, but more distant from each other. Lastly, outside this double muscular layer, there is a rather thick, somewhat laminated, pulpy layer, abounding with cells, often nucleated, and frequently containing much oily matter. This structure agrees closely with Dr. C. H. Jones’s[38] account of the external covering of the stomach in Daphnia, and which he believes to be hepatic: as in Daphnia, there does not seem to be any ducts. I may here observe, that within the upper part of the prosoma, but not immediately connected with the stomach, I have often observed much white pulpy substance, permeated by lacunal passages, and exhibiting no structure except some excessively minute cells.
[38] ‘Philosophical Transactions,’ 1849, p. 116. Karsten (‘Nov. Actorum Acad. Nat. Cur.,’ 1845, tab. xx) has excellently figured the testes, as the hepatic glands; and has indicated the ovaria as salivary glands; it is singular that this anatomist overlooked the ducts which lead from his supposed hepatic glands, into the vesiculæ seminales, within which he observed spermatozoa.
The rectum, lined by membrane continuous with that investing the thorax (and seen through it, in Pl. [26], fig. [8], c), extends inwards to about opposite the bases of the third or fourth pairs of cirri. It is longitudinally plaited; the ends of the folds forming a sort of valve where joined on to the stomach. It is coated by circular, transverse muscular fibres: judging from the movements, the anus itself is surrounded by a strong sphincter muscle. The anus opens on the dorsal surface of the thorax (fig. [8], b); but as in the genera, in which caudal appendages occur, it opens under them, the orifice, I believe, is homologically terminal, and owes its dorsal aspect to the aborted state of the whole abdomen, and to the great development of the probosciformed penis; for the anus may be said to be situated on the dorsal base of this organ.