564 SYSTEMATIC niSTORY OF THE INFUSOKTA. 



mass of granular sarcode, similar to the body, having a depression, perhaps an 

 orifice, at its distal end. This is either a pamsite or a gemma, as it is some- 

 times found attached alone to the Sertularia. It appears to multiply by 

 fission, as two are sometimes found attached together." 



In another letter, Dr. Wright remarks that he has " doubts as to the Gre- 

 garina-like body being a part of the animal, as it is often absent," and he has 

 " seen it fij(:ed to neighbouring bodies." Food is probably taken up by the 

 summit of the mop-like process, absorbed, and carried down to the body. 



Dr. Wright has found this remarkable animalcule three successive years at 

 Granton, in great abimdance, though in a limited locality. It occui^s at all 

 parts of the polj^Didom of the Sertularia pumila, but chiefly in the angle 

 between the mouth of one cell and the lower part of the cell above, where 

 two or three sometimes nestle together. 



Although unhke all other animalcules in shape, Dr. Wright is induced by 

 its stnicture to place it near Actinoplirys. AYere it not for the cushion-like 

 body, the mop-headed process would be referable to Ejilielota. 



Subgroup ACINETINA. (Part I. p. 258.) 



(Plates XXIII. 1-27; XXVI. 3-4; XXVII. 13-15, 18-20; 

 XXX. 3, 4, 8, 21-23.) 



A subclass of PJiizopoda, very closely resembling Actinophryina, but covered 

 by an integument or capsule, tlu^ough which the retractile tentacula or fila- 

 ments are protruded, and usually supported on a pedicle. 



The Acinetce have been supposed to have no power of nourishing them- 

 selves by absorption of foreign matters from without, as do the Actinophryina ; 

 but this seems to be an error ; and Lachmann asserts them to be peculiarly 

 carnivorous animals, the prey being seized by the tentacula, which have 

 suctorial extremities. 



The researches of Stein went to show that the members of this family were 

 nothing more than a developmental phase of VorticeUina ; but, although this 

 view has been accepted by a few naturalists, it has been pretty successfully 

 controverted by Lachmann, Claparede, and others, who have witnessed the 

 reproduction of Acmetoi from parent forms. 



The tentacles of Acinetina are not as a rule capitate ; many taper, others 

 are of nearly the same width thi'oughout. They may be distributed pretty 

 generally over the body, or only along a certain margin, or, again, may be 

 collected into several bundles. 



To represent the known specimens of Acinetiform beings, we shall describe 

 all those varieties described by Stein ; for the truth or error of his hj^Dothesis 

 of transfoiTuation does not affect the value of his descriptions of them as 

 distinguishable forms of organized beings. But before entering on the account 

 of these, we shall reproduce the species enumerated by Ehrenberg under the 

 head of Acineta. 



Genus ACINETA. — Has a membranous lorica, a simple pedicle, and 

 numerous retractile, non-^-ibrating tentacula. Ehrenberg notes his dis- 

 covery of vesicles (stomach-cells) in A. Lynghyei and A. mystacina, and of a 

 nucleus in the latter and in A. tuherosa. Self-di^-ision not observed. Keijro- 

 duction by germs, noticed by Stein, Cienkowsky, Lachmann, and others. 



Acineta Lymjhyei. — Spherical, pe- | pale-yellow coloured body, with its thick 

 dide thick. It resembles a stalked Ac- crystalline stalk, is similar to a retracted 

 tinophrys, while the circular, radiating, I VorticeUa. On Serttdaria and other 



