On the minute structure of the skeletons or hard parts of invertebrata

Abstract

The present memoir is the first of a series which the author intends to communicate to the Society, and relates only to the Mollusca; and he proposes, hereafter, to extend his inquiries to the skeletons of the Echinodermata, and the various classes of articulated animals. After adverting to the classifications of shells proposed by Mr. Hatchett and Mr. Gray, from the propriety of which he finds reason to dissent, he proceeds to state the results of his microscopic examination of the texture of shells under the several following heads. First, shells having a prismatic cellular structure, as the Pinna, and which are composed of a multitude of flattened hexagonal calcareous prisms, originally deposited in continuous layers of hexagonal cells, and thus constituting a calcified epithelium, analogous with the enamel of the teeth. Secondly, those consisting of membranous shell-substance, the basis of which, after the removal of its calcareous portion, presents nothing but a membranous film, of greater or less consistence, composed of several layers, but without the appearance of any cellular tissue: this membrane the author regards as being derived from the mantle, of which it was originally a constituent part, by the development of nucleolated cells; and the various corrugations and foldings of which it is susceptible in different species, introducing many diversities into the structure of the shells of this class. Thirdly, shells having a nacreous structure, and exhibiting the phenomena of iridescence; a property which the author ascribes to the plicated form of the membrane of the shell, combined with a secondary series of transverse corrugations. Fourthly, shells exhibiting a tubular structure, formed by cylindrical perforations occurring among the several layers, and varying in diameter from about the 20,000th to the 3500th part of an inch; but measuring on an average about the 6000th part of an inch, and presenting a striking analogy with the dentine or ivory of the teeth. The last sections of the paper relate to the epidermis and the colouring matter of shells. References are made, in many parts of the paper, to illustrative drawings; which, however, the author has not yet supplied.