128 ROMANCE OF LOW LIFE AMONGST PLANTS. 





Via. 25. — I'olvox glohator. 



translucent that neighbouring objects can be seen 

 through them. Other and smaller globes usually 

 are seen to occupy the interior, revolving on their 



own account. Such 

 are the objects which, 

 notwithstanding their 

 movements, are little 

 green plants ; but 

 which at one time, on 

 account of their mo- 

 tion, were believed to 

 be animals. The whole 

 true and particular 

 account, such as re- 

 corded in scientific 

 books, of their entire life-history, however interesting 

 to the scientist, would be too prolix and technical 

 for the general reader ; but there are some of the 

 most prominent features which may be touched upon 

 with advantage. 



Looking down upon one of these little spheres, 

 which have been likened to crystal globes, we become 

 conscious that the little green points, or dots, are 

 arranged with mathematical accuracy, so that each 

 one is in the centre of six others, placed at equal 

 distances around it. These green points are the 

 gonidia, having each the power, under favourable 

 conditions, of becoming a perfect volvox. Each of 

 these gonidia is almost pear-shaped, with the 

 narrow end outwards, and furnished with a pair of 

 movable hairs. Within the interior each has a red 

 or brown eye-spot, and in all essentials agrees with 



