98 DROPS OF WATER. 



E. eleyans (Drop II. fig. 7), and it deserves its 

 name, for there can scarcely be imagined a more 

 elegant creature. It seems to have a property 

 different from the other members of this family 

 that of casting off the globular lorica, and forming 

 a new one ; probably it has not the power of ex- 

 panding to suit the growth of the congregated 

 animalcules within it ; self- division taking place 

 whilst the clustered portion is retained. The in- 

 dividuals have no tail, but possess a sparkling red 

 eye, and a vibratory proboscis : the body is green, 

 from about fifteen to fifty of these little creatures 

 are assembled under the same transparent 

 covering, presenting a most beautiful appearance. 

 They are often in great numbers, but so exceed- 

 ingly delicate, that it is difficult to preserve 



