MODES OF REPRODUCTION. 31 



Folvocina family, in which many individuals 

 are enclosed in a transparent globe, where 

 they have increased by self-division : as they 

 grow in size the case enlarges also, but con- 

 tinues entire till they have arrived at maturity, 

 when it bursts, and the inhabitants, as they may 

 be called, are set at liberty, each forming in its 

 turn a new globe, and again increasing by self- 

 division. How wonderful are all these peculiari- 

 ties in beings unseen by the naked eye ! These 

 facts must create an eager desire to witness these 

 marvellous atoms ourselves ; and those who have 

 a taste for investigation in natural history, will 

 here find ample scope for amusement. 



It was formerly supposed that animalcules re- 

 ceived their nourishment by absorption through 



