THE SUN ANIMALCULE. Ill 



to be regarded as final. The first result of this 

 process is the partial, and finally the entire, with- 

 drawal of the rays and the darkening of the whole 

 sphere, from which it changes to almost perfect 

 transparency ; and a very delicate membrane begins 

 to surround the entire creature. Then a hitherto 

 quite unobserved body, clear and transparent, ap- 

 pears, from which emanate numerous small bodies, 

 presumably spermatoza, which, by impregnating the 

 whole mass, finally results in the formation of eggs 

 and the consequent reproduction of Actinophrys 

 through the usual stages of embryonic life. 



There is yet another method, which may be 

 called binary segmentation : it is self-division in an 

 unusual way. The spinal filaments are withdrawn, 

 and a thin gelatinous exudation overspreads the entire 

 mass. Then segmentation proceeds until the whole 

 body is resolved into a mulberry-like sphere. Each 

 component part of the berry is joined to its neigh- 

 bour, yet having its own independent life and 

 characteristic functions. On the conditions be- 

 coming favourable this covering is thrown off, and 

 each little berry-like body develops into a full- 

 growii Actinosphaermm. 



