PARAMCECIUM. 



Second Type of Protozoa PARAMCECIUM. 



uni) a type of ciliated Infusorians, especially 

 of those which are uniformly covered with short cilia 

 (Holotricha). 



Description. Specimens of Paranui'dum may be readily 

 and abundantly obtained by leaving fragments of hay to 

 soak for some days in a glass of water. A few individuals 

 have been lying dormant about the plant ; they revive 

 and multiply with extraordinary rapidity. They are also 

 abundant in most stagnant pools, and are just visible when 



con 



FIG. 37. Parama-cium. After Biitschli. 



ad. Adult form, showing cilia, " mouth,'' contractile vacuoles, etc. 

 dic<. Transverse division. 

 . Conjugation. 



a test-tube containing them is held between the eye and 

 the light. Their food consists of small vegetable particles. 

 The form is a long oval, with the blunter end in front : 

 the outer portion of the cell substance is differentiated into 

 a dense rind or cortex, with a delicate external cuticle, 

 perforated by cilia. There is a definite opening, the so- 

 called mouth, which serves for the ingestion of food 

 particles ; and there is also a particular anal spot posterior 



