110 VIGNETTES FROM INVISIBLE LIFE. 



than two, take sides, so to speak ; one goes to one 

 half and the other to the other. It is in the com- 

 mon process of self -division that this is observed. 

 One sees a slight but gradually increasing constric- 

 tion in the body of the creature, which on reaching 

 its maximum of finely drawn-out matter separates, 

 and the process is complete : the product being two 

 beings where only one existed before ; these two 

 repeating the process, and thus they go on increas- 

 ing in geometrical proportion to incredible numbers. 

 Opposed to this is another process which I think 

 may be called self-absorption, as this is its first 

 apparent result. Two individuals will approach 

 each other, and, coming in contact, will eventually 

 become so fused the one with the other as to present 

 the appearance of only one being ; the only differ- 

 ence in the appearance of the new animal being that 

 it is a little thicker or denser than either of the two 

 of which it is composed. So they or, rather, so 

 this one remains ; and no other result is seen for 

 a long time. Patience and close observation are, 

 however, eventually rewarded in this, as in all the 

 ways of life. This apparent ending, though calcu- 

 lated to throw one off one's guard, is too suspicious 



