VOLVOX. 101 



the next genus, from which they differ princi- 

 pally by having a single proboscis. 



The Volvox is one of the most lovely of these 

 interesting atoms, and attains comparatively so 

 large a size, that its construction is easily dis- 

 cerned, and in the spring may be found in clear 

 water in great numbers, having a rolling motion, 

 slow and very graceful. The hollow transparent 

 globe contains some hundreds of single animal- 

 cules, attached to the inner surface, each of a 

 small size and green colour, having a red eye 

 and a doable proboscis, which they protrude 

 through an opening in the lorica, so as to give its 

 surface the appearance of being covered with 

 moving hairs. The shell of each individual is in 

 the form of a bell, and it is said they have the 



K 3 



