504 THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 



small Diglenx has been observed on two or three 

 other occasions, when the Vorticellie had been produced 

 from the transformation of Euglence, and still remained 

 in connection with an old Euglena pellicle. 



Mr. Metcalfe Johnson has moreover recently af- 

 firmed not only that Paramecia are prone to be 

 converted into Vorticell^, but that he has frequently 

 seen specimens of each of these forms of Ciliata become 

 developed into Philodinian Rotifers, without a pre- 

 liminary stage of encystment \ 



Again, evidence has already been adduced sufficing to 

 establish the intimate relationship and interchange- 

 ability existing between Actinophrys, Peranemata, and 

 AmoebiE, as well as between each of these forms and the 

 various kinds of Ciliated Infusoria. Not only are they 

 freely convertible one into the other, but, now one now 

 another of these forms may be assumed by contiguous 

 portions of apparently similar matter — whether we have 

 to do with Euglense or with individualizing portions of 

 a dead Rotifer. If Ciliated Infusoria after encystment 

 are therefore capable of being converted into embryo 

 Rotifers, it is only to be expected that a similar 

 transformation might be possible in the case of the 

 Amoeba and of the Actinophrys. And, according to 



^ See • Monthly Microsc. Journal,' May 1871, pp. 224 and 225. The 

 same writer refers to this subject again in the No. for Oct. 1871, at p. 

 187 ; and in the same communication he also gives reason for his belief 

 that the divisions of the family Philodinite are altogether artificial, and 

 founded upon unimportant distinctions. 



