52 VIGNETTES FROM INVISIBLE LIFE. 



the globe grows and expands, those threads are 

 stretched to their utmost limit, and finally a breach 

 is made in the membrane ; and thus the now 

 matured inside globes make their escape or exit, 

 and commence an independent existence, repeating 

 in their life -history that of the parent form. From 

 the centre of each hexagon are produced two fine 

 filaments, or cilia, which, being projected on the ex- 

 terior surface and set in motion, cause the globe to 

 revolve on its own axis. It should be noted that 

 these threads, or cilia, are simple extensions of pro- 

 toplasm, or living matter, which is either moving 

 or lying quiescent, in accordance with the require- 

 ments of its environment. 



The hexagonal cells are the source whence new 

 spheres are formed ; but only a few in each sphere 

 are selected for this purpose, and those beginning 

 first to show certain slight differences such as 

 flattening out are readily distinguished from their 

 surrounding neighbours, and their subsequent de- 

 velopment traced. Soon this flattened cell is seen to 

 double, but not actually to divide or separate ; next 

 this double cell is multiplied, and we have a group 

 of four. These are now separated from the original 



