130 VIGNETTES FROM INVISIBLE LIFE. 



matter, or yet with any great power over their 

 environment ; yet the law here indicated is very 

 strikingly illustrated in their history ; and having 

 praised the Rotifers so much, one is glad to notice 

 that they belong, as a rule, to the improving class 

 of animal life ; so we trace a gradual and progressive 

 advance from form to form, until we arrive at appa- 

 rently the highest limit of perfectibility of which 

 they are capable : 



Complex structure, having circulatory, muscular, 

 digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems. 



Active in their habits, life with them seems one 

 of never-ceasing energetic motion the wonder of 

 all observers. 



Beautiful in form, as with their flexuous, shin- 

 ing, crystalline, and transparent bodies, surmounted 

 with rotary crowned heads, in which are set the 

 finest of ruby-like eyes, they expand and contract, 

 and disport themselves in every conceivable atti- 

 tude, with perfect individual independence, yet in 

 mutual harmony no jostling or confusion, though 

 so closely attached ; now opening their flower-like 

 crowns in rotating or wavy motion, then withdraw- 

 ing and everting them within themselves, and again 



