96 JOHN G. WALLER, OBSERVATIONS ON THE 



lost its colour (Fig. 1G). Thus I left it at 10 o'clock, and through- 

 out the day not the slightest change took place. I let it remain 

 under observation for twenty-four hours, but it was still the same ; 

 and it was obvious to me that all life had ceased, as not a particle 

 changed either its form or position. 



I now sought for information on the phenomena I had witnessed ; 

 and taking down from my shelves the last edition of Pritchard's 

 " Infusoria," proceeded to examine the summary there given of the 

 knowledge of this interesting organism ; and on which I think 

 myself entitled to offer some criticism, and first on that division 

 which treats of " conjugation." 



" The remarkable act of conjugation," says the editor, " also 

 known as Zygosis, has attracted very much attention in the class of 

 animalcules under consideration, among which it is of frequent 

 occurrence. Much discussion has taken place concerning the pur- 

 pose of this process. Most of its early observers considered it a 

 reproductive act, a sort of copulation between the two individuals ; 

 but the tendency of opinion at the present day is to deny it this 

 nature, and to treat it as little more than an accidental phenomenon, 

 without apparent object or aim. Nevertheless, its occurrence is so 

 frequent, and the process of so complete a character, that it is hard 

 to believe it to be in vain, and to no purpose in the economy of the 

 Actinophryina." Surely the observations here given endorse 

 the correctness of the latter view. But the writer proceeds to say, 

 " A difference of opinion likewise prevails as to the nature of the 

 process, one set of authors maintaining that there is an actual 

 ' fusion and intermingling of substance between the conjugating 

 animals, whilst another party asserts that there is no fusion, but 

 merely a temporary adhesion or accretion between their bodies." 

 Kolliker describes this fusion, and speaks of it as of a reproductive 

 character. The facts I have given you seem, to my mind, to point 

 to the same conclusion ; but the summary in Pritchard's " Infusoria" 

 concludes in this most indecisive manner : — 



" The balance of authority and evidence is against the supposi- 

 tion of its reproductive purpose ; but when this view is rejected, we 

 have no other to replace it, and are sensible of the want of sufficient 

 data from direct observation before a hopeful attempt can be made." 



You have before you the result of conjugation producing, I think 

 I may presume to say, " embryonic germs," this term being one I 

 take from several observers who have evidently seen at least this 



