THE AMCEEA AND OTHER BOOT-ANIMALCULES. 13 



Besides the nucleus,, a clear, round, pinkish space which 

 enlarges and contracts is usually present. This is called 

 the "contractile vesicle. '' 



FIG. 7. Amoeba proteus. o, inner granular portion; c, outer clear portion of 

 the body; d, a simple pseudopod; /. a branched psendopod; g. food-vacuole; 

 d, a pseudopod beginning to grow out: e, one a little i-ore developed; /i, 

 food-ball; i, nucleus; k, contractile vesicle. (Magnified 200 diameters.) 



The food of the Amoeba consists of minute plants, or of 

 animalcules. After selecting its food, as for example a 

 minute plant, it engulfs or swallows it by moving toward 

 the object and gradually closing around it, until the object 



