BIOLOGY FOR YOUNG BEGINNERS. 



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that are smaller than the amoeba itself (Fig. 24). These it feeds upon, 

 and, if you have patience to look long enough, you can see how it 

 eats. It has no mouth in particular the feet seem to taste of what- 

 ever comes in their way, and, if they like it, they grasp it, and poke 

 it in anywhere into the middle of the jelly or protoplasm (Fig. 25). 



Mould or protococcus-cell. 



Kernel. 



Fig. 24. Pond Ajuceba digesting its Food. 



Fig. 25. Amceba eating- 



Here it is digested, and all parts that cannot be used are pushed 

 out again. All that the amoeba has to do is to swallow the mass, 

 suck out all the meat, and throw the rest away. There is one thing 

 you must remember about the amoeba ; it must have its food or pro- 

 tein ready made. It has no power like the yeast or protococcus cell 

 to make it for itself. So these little jelly-lumps we find in the blood 

 and the ponds must be animals. You remember, I told you all vege- 

 tables make protein, while all animals eat it up. This little amoeba 

 animal gets its full share. He is a perfect little gourmand, taking in 

 every thing that comes in his way. The human amoebae are more fas- 

 tidious in their taste. They do not swallow their food whole like the 

 wild amoeboe. But those that are found in the blood of the newt or 

 frog are regular little cannibals, and eat up their "colored brethren" 

 whenever they get the chance. 



Then, too, the feet or pseudopodia of the savage tribe are thicker 

 and shorter than feet of the civilized kind. Yon see the toes of your 

 amceba are quite dainty and tapering, like a lady's fingers. It is very 

 curious to watch how a pseudopodium is made, especially of the pond 

 amceba. First there is a little swelling or lifting up of the glassy 



Fig. 20. Wild Amceba. 



Fig. 27. Human Amceba. Fig. 28.- Amceba making a Foot. 



rim or outer flesh (Fig. 28). As this swelling gets larger, some of the 

 inner flesh flows into it, carrying the little grains, till the swelling is 

 all filled up (Fig. 29). 



Then the walking is so funny ! The feet do not act as the feet of 

 other animals, carrying the body above them. First, one stumpy foot 



