GONIUM. 91 



rigidity, and each individual was busily engaged 

 in working its way out. I was first attracted by 

 seeing the mass lying without motion, except 

 that the green bodies within were moving rapidly, 

 and by degrees each made its escape after some 

 exertion, and swam away. It was a curious and 

 interesting sight. 



Though not surpassing the last in beauty, the 

 genus Gonium is highly interesting, from its sur- 

 prising form and construction. It is compound, 

 and consists of sixteen individuals, each of a 

 round form, having two proboscides, and six 

 cords or tubes which connect it with those sur- 

 rounding it ; the lorica is transparent, and the 

 sixteen individuals are arranged in regular order, 

 four in the centre and three on each side, re- 



