30 



DROPS OF WATER. 



stances on which it feeds. Some few are mo- 

 tionless, others revolve on the centre, or move by 

 leaps, or undulations \ and, in fact, the} 7 seem to 

 use every kind of motion that can be conceived. 

 Infusoria increase more rapidly than other 

 organized beings. In some of the modes of 

 reproduction they resemble animals of a higher 

 order of creation. Very many species lay eggs, 

 which they attach to water-plants ; others pro- 

 duce their young alive; but many increase by 

 germs, or buds, growing from their own body, 

 which are separated when sufficiently arrived at 

 maturity ; others, again, divide into two or 

 more parts, and each becomes a new animalcule 

 with equal powers. But, perhaps, the most ex- 

 traordinary is the compound formation of the 



