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the structure of the embryo is even more important for classification than that of the adult. In two or more groups of animals, however much they may .. differ from each other in structure and habits, if they pass through closely similar embryonic stages, we may feel assured that they all are descended from one parent-form, and are therefore ... closely related. Thus, community in embryonic structure reveals community of descent; but dissimilarity in embryonic development does not prove discommunity of descent, for in one of two groups the developmental stages may have been suppressed, or may have been so greatly modified through adaptation to new habits of life, as to be no longer recognisable. Even in groups, in which the adults .. have been modified to an extreme degree, community of origin is often revealed by the structure of the larvæ; we have seen, for instance, that cirripedes, though externally so like shell-fish, are at once known by their larvæ to belong to the great class of crustaceans. As the structure of the embryo generally shows us more or less plainly the structure of its less modified and ancient progenitor, we can .. see why ancient and extinct forms so often resemble the embryos of ... existing species in the same class. Agassiz believes this to be a universal law of nature; and I hope to see it hereafter shown in most cases true. It can, however, be proved true only in those cases .. in which the ancient state ... has not been wholly obliterated either by .. successive variations ... having supervened at a very early period of growth, or by such variations having been inherited at an earlier period than that at which they first appeared. It should also be borne in mind, that the .. law may be true, but yet, owing to the ... geological record not extending