GREGARINIDA AND MONERA. 495 



phrys (Fig. 752), are soft particles of protoplasm, without 

 any shelly covering. The Amoeba has a nucleus, and the 

 body exhibits a more or less clear outside layer and an 

 inner granular portion. 



SECTION VI. 



THE GREGARINIDA. 



THESE are parasitic protozoa, which are more or less 

 worm-like in form. Until the Moners were discovered, 



FIG. 753. 



Gregarina sfpunculi. Magnified. 



they were regarded as the lowest animals. They live in 

 insects, crustaceans, and worms ; and are microscopic in 

 size. One species, however, attains the length of over 

 half-an-inch. 



SECTION VII. 



THE MONERA OR MONERS. 



THE beings called Moners are so simple in their struc- 

 ture rtr rather they are so entirely destitute of structure 

 that it is doubtful whether they are plants or animals. 

 They are merely structureless living albuminous jelly, far 

 simpler than even the Amoeba. 



The simplest known form of life is a moner, called 

 Bathylius, discovered by Professor Wyville Thompson, 

 at a depth of 2,435 fathoms, in the Bay of Biscay. 



