GENUS DINAMCEBA— DINAMCEBA MIRABILIS. 83 



In several cases also I have seen minute molecules replace the spicules, as 

 represented in fig. 11, pi. VII. 



Another character of Dinamoeba, even more remarkable than the 

 former, as represented in figs. 2, 7, pi. VI, is the occurrence of a thick 

 investment of hyaline jelly, resembling in appearance that which envelopes 

 certain algae, as commonly seen in the desmid Didymoprium grevillii. This 

 transparent cloak is borne by the active, moving animal, and is no evi- 

 dence of the creature being ready to pass into a quiescent or an encysted 

 condition. The free surface of the jelly-like cloak is defined by innumer- 

 able exceedingly minute rods, standing perpendicularly, which give to the 

 animal the appearance as if it were surrounded by a nimbus of bacteria. 

 Sometimes through the stratum of jelly there are to be observed variable 

 numbers of linear bodies resembling the former; but these have usually 

 appeared to me to be endowed with motion, and to be really true bacteria. 



In the movements of Dinamceba, its jelly-like cloak appears to be no 

 obstacle, and the subulate pseudopods shoot through and beyond it as if it 

 did not exist. 



Like the bristling spicules of the body and appendages of Dinamceba, 

 the jelly-like envelope with the bacteria-like cils may be absent; but, accord- 

 ing to my experience, it is present in the greater proportion of cases. 



Dinamceba is commonly cream-white or greenish white and more or 

 less spotted with green and brown, or it is yellowish or brownish white 

 spotted with yellow and brown. The colors, with the exception of the white, 

 are mainly dependent on the food-balls shining through from the inte- 

 rior. The pseudopods, papillae, and jelly-like envelope are hyaline and 

 colorless. 



Dinamceba mirabilis, like Pelomyxa villosa, is a gluttonous feeder, and is 

 commonly so gorged with food that it greatly obscures the intrinsic 

 elements of the endosarc and renders the animal more or less opaque. 

 The food-balls, mostly included in water-drops, are globular, and variable 

 in color according to their original nature and the changes they have 

 undergone in digestion. 



The basis of the endosarc consists of hyaline protoplasm, with a pale, 

 faintly granular constitution, as in other amceboids. It is generally mingled 

 with a large quantity of fine oil-like molecules, which are especially well 

 seen where the endosarc merges in the ectosarc, and also within the roots 

 of the pseudopods. 



