198 



THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



midst of its body-substance are said to come together 



FIG. ii. 

 Formation of reproductive units in Amoeba. (Nicolet.) 



a. Amoeba princeps (Ehr.) containing refractive granules and particles in 



its interior. 



b, c, d. Different stages in aggregation of granules. 



e, f, g, h. Showing gradual concentration and increase in size of repro 

 ductive mass, with corresponding diminution and contraction of 

 surrounding substance. 



here and there so as to form much larger refractive 

 particles. These latter unite again to form still larger 

 masses, and ultimately, after several steps of this kind, 

 only to be followed by prolonged observation, the 

 different granule heaps collect into a single mass 

 which, at first, is irregular and mamillated, but gradually 

 becomes smooth and assumes an ovoid or spherical 

 form. According to Nicolet, the contractile body-sub- 

 stance of the animal diminishes and becomes more 

 transparent in direct proportion to the increase in size 

 of this central aggregation of granules. The move- 

 ments of the Amoeba, also, become slower; it remains 



