Oct. 1, 1S66.1 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



22b 



the identification of the species of such variable 

 beings, as their food, their age, the locality where 

 they may be found, and perhaps also the degree of de- 

 velopment to which they have attained, tend greatly 

 to alter their appearance and habits. They are 

 found both in fresh and sea water, and also, as we 



Fig. 209. Rotifer and Ammba x 250. 



have before remarked, in vegetable and other in- 

 fusions. 





Fig. 210. Actinophrys Sol x 50. 



The mystery which hangs over the life of an 

 amoeba As not in any way cleared up by the dis- 

 covery, that certain vegetable organisms have an 



riggl&K 



Fig. 211. Actinophrys 

 oculata x .40. 



Fig. 212. Difflugia piri- 

 formis x 40. 



amcebiform state. Pritchard says, " Amcebiform 

 beings are not necessarily of an animal nature, for 



some have latterly been proved to occur in the cycle 

 of development of the simplest plants." Other ob- 

 servers, too, tell us the Amoeba has an encysted 

 condition or state of rest. In fact, so many won- 

 derful statements have been made respecting this 

 creature and its relatives, and its study is encum- 

 bered with such great difficulties, which seem to 

 elude investigation, that it probably will be a long- 

 time ere we know all about it to our satisfaction. 



We give figures of other rhizopods, partaking of 

 the nature and habits of our chief subject. Among 

 them is the Actinophrys* or Sun Animalcule, whose 

 partiality for living diatoms we have often witnessed. 

 It generally is seen with the rays or pseudopodia 

 extended, but it can retract them wholly or par- 

 tially, and does so when appropriating its prey. 

 Other members of the family wear shells, which 

 they carry about on their backs like snails. The 

 foraminifera and the sponges are relations also. 



S. J. McIntike. 



E AIRY-RING CHAMPIGNON. 



A LTHOUGH there is one species of mushroom 

 -*-*- which is known as the Fairy-ring Champignon 

 (Marasmius oreades), it must not by any means be 

 concluded that no other species is found growing in 

 rings, or that all the fairy-rings are caused by this 

 fungus. But wherefore is this termed Marasmius 

 oreades or " Eairy-ring Champignon ? " Our Erench 

 neighbours call nearly all fungi by the name of 

 " Champignon," as the Germans denominate them 

 "Pilze" and " Schwamme," and the English, 

 " Mushrooms " and " Toadstools." Why we should 

 call one species by the Erench term " Champignon," 

 and why this particular species has been selected 

 for that honour we will not attempt to determine. 

 In Erance, the fungus called by us "Eairy-ring 

 Champignon " is denominated Pseudo-mouceron, or 

 "Ealse Mushroom." The Mouceron is not that 

 which we call the "Mushroom," but a vernal 

 species, known to mycologists as Agaricus gam- 

 bosus, or the true St. George's Mushroom. 



Marasmius is the name of a genus containing 

 nearly one hundred species, of which about twenty- 

 five are British. The pileus, or cap, though con- 

 tinuous with the stem, is of a different texture. 

 The substance is generally of a much drier nature 

 than that of Agarics, and the majority of species 

 delight in decaying leaves and wood, and many are 

 very small, delicate, and elegant. Marasmius oreades 

 differs from these in growing on the ground, and is 

 of moderate size, and there are some others which 

 accord with it in habit and dimensions. 



The lover of classical history, poetry, and romance, 

 will remember that the Oreades of the ancients were 



See Science Gossip, vol. ii. p. 87. 



