282 ORDER FLAGELLATA-PANTOSTOMATA. 



confounded. On closer examination it is, morever, found to entirely want the 

 emargination of the anterior border characteristic of that species, this region in 

 the present form being perfectly smooth and even. Lastly, and more importantly, 

 the characters afforded by the flagella separate it decisively from either the last- 

 named or any superficially corresponding type. Neither of these organs, which are 

 of equal length, are extended in that rigid arcuate manner characteristic of the single 

 longer flagellate appendage of either P/iysomonas, Spumella, or Oikomonas, but are 

 vigorously lashed and vibrated now on one side and then on the other, as in 

 Diplomita, describing a maze of convolutions not easy for the eye to follow ; the 

 body of the animalcule meanwhile sways to and fro or floats up and down at the 

 end of its flexible pedicle as light as a child's air-ball at the end of its restraining 

 string. Food-particles, seized by the extremities of the extended flagella, are thrown 

 back against the body, the thin yielding sarcode opening and spreading out to 

 engulf them at whatever point upon which they may happen to impinge. An 

 interesting example of food-ingestion, as observed by the author, will be found 

 represented at PL XIV. Figs. 56-59. The ingested morsel, a large Bacillus, was 

 first captured end-on, a transparent film of sarcode flowing out to invest it, the 

 captured prey was then brought crosswise along the anterior border of the animal- 

 cule, and finally bent up and tucked away within the inner substance of the little 

 creature's body. At Fig. 550 an example is delineated in the act of ingesting a 

 minute particle on its lateral border. Spherical pedicellated encystments, corre- 

 sponding closely with those described of Physomonas communis, but of larger size, 

 have been observed in the neighbourhood of the present species, and apparently 

 belonged to it 



Amphimonas divaricans, S. K. PL. XIV. FIG. 66. 



Body irregular in form, widest transversely, rounded posteriorly, the 

 anterior margin abruptly and obliquely truncate, its two lateral angles 

 unequally produced as conical prolongations ; flagella corresponding in 

 length and character, borne respectively by the apex of the two anterior 

 angular extensions, equal in length to twice the diameter of the body ; 

 pedicle slender, straight, nearly equal to the flagella in length. Height of 

 body 1-10,000", greatest width 1-8500". HAB. Salt water. 



This remarkably minute monad has as yet been met with on one occasion only, 

 a group of two or three individuals being then found attached to conferva filaments 

 from a jar of sea-water containing various polyzoa and hydroid zoophytes, obtained 

 at St. Heliers, Jersey. The flagella, stationed at the termination of the conical 

 anterior prolongations, one of which is produced to twice the height of the other, 

 exhibited great activity, whirling round and round in a circular manner, and at the 

 same time presenting a somewhat sinuous outline. The parenchyma was colourless 

 and slightly granular, and a vacuolar space, which probably represented the con- 

 tractile vesicle, being visible towards the posterior extremity. The exceedingly 

 small dimensions of this form necessitated the employment of a magnifying power 

 of no less than 2000 diameters for the satisfactory recognition of the external 

 characters here recorded. 



Amphimonas exilis, Perty. 



Body conical or wedge-shaped, attenuate posteriorly, the anterior border 

 truncate, sometimes emarginate ; flagella long and slender, issuing close to 

 one another from the centre of the anterior border, equal in size, twice the 

 length of the body ; parenchyma colourless, motion oscillating. Length of 

 body 1-2 1 80". HAB. Stale marsh-water. 



