A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia (Volume 1 of 2): The Lepadidae; Or, Pedunculated CirripedesDarwin, Charles
Science
A Monograph on the Sub-class Cirripedia (Volume 1 of 2): The Lepadidae; Or, Pedunculated Cirripedes
Darwin, Charles
Cirripedia; Lepadidae
_Peduncle._--Its length varies greatly in different species, and even in
the same species, according to the situation occupied by the individual;
its lower end is sometimes pointed, but generally only a little narrower
than the upper end. In outline, the peduncle is usually flattened, but
sometimes quite cylindrical. It is composed of very strong, generally
thick, transparent membrane, rarely coloured reddish, and often
penetrated by numerous tubuli. The underlying corium is sometimes
coloured in longitudinal bands. At each period of growth a new and
larger integument is formed under the old one, which gradually
disintegrates and disappears; the extreme lower point is often deserted
by the corium, and ceases to grow, whilst the whole upper part still
continues increasing in diameter: in length the chief addition is made
(as is clearly seen in those genera having calcified scales), round the
upper margin, at the base of the capitulum. The surface of the membrane
is either naked or superficially clothed with minute, pointed,
articulated spines, or it is penetrated by calcified scales or styles,
(in Ibla alone formed of chitine,) which pass through it to the corium,
and are added to at their bases, like the valves, at each period of
growth. In Lithotrya alone the scales of the peduncle are moulted
together with the connecting membrane. These scales on the peduncle are
generally placed symmetrically in whorls, with each scale corresponding
with the junctions of two scales, both above and below. Except in
_Scalpellum ornatum_ and the fossil _Loricula pulchella_, they are very
small compared with the valves of the capitulum. When the scales are
symmetrical, new ones are first formed only round the summit of the
peduncle, and only those in the few uppermost whorls continue to grow or
to be added to at their bases; afterwards membrane is deposited under
them. The shelly matter of the scales resembles that of the valves, and
the manner of growth is the same; tubuli generally run to and through
them from the corium. From the continued enlargement of the membrane of
the peduncle, the scales come to stand, in the lower portion, some way
apart. In Ibla, new horny styles are formed indifferently in all parts
of the peduncle. In some species of Pollicipes, the calcareous styles
are not symmetrical or symmetrically arranged; and besides those first
formed round the top of the peduncle, there are other and larger ones
formed near its base. Lastly, in Lithotrya we have a row of calcareous
discs or an irregular, basal cup, formed in the same manner as the
valves of the capitulum: in this genus alone (as already stated,) the
calcified scales are moulted, and here alone their edges are serrated.
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