ANIMATED TRUMPETS, HATS, AND PURSES. 69 



degradation ensues, in the latter the result is an 

 undoubted improvement, both in appearance and 

 capacity. The Stentors feed incessantly ; and if 

 with bright green algae, will so improve in beauty 

 as to become objects of great attraction. 



The Stentor polymorphous has, as its name im- 

 plies, the power of changing its form ; and, from 

 being trumpet- shaped and attached in pendant 

 clusters to some water-plant, it will detach itself 

 and assume the form of a " thimble," open at one 

 end and rounded and closed at the other, and in this 

 form leads a free and active life, moving rapidly 

 through the water. Their bodies are A r ery plastic, 

 and change rapidly now gliding along in a shape- 

 less lump at the bottom of the vessel, and anon, 

 perched trumpet-formed on the head of another 

 brother horn, appears as if blowing a blast or in 

 stentorian voice delivering a message. Again a 

 change, and they are all off, like so many animated 

 tailors' thimbles : until, tired and weary, they resume 

 their normal form, and are seen, grouped in clusters, 

 hanging from a neighbouring bough. 



Closely allied to the Stentors are the Bi(rsarin<e. 

 They are not, however, trumpet -shaped, but pouched 



