OF ANIMALCULES. 4/ 



membrane, beneath the surface of which is disposed, at 

 equal distances, small spherical bodies of a green colour. 

 These granular bodies have been supposed to reside on 

 the exterior, and by some have been mistaken for hairs ; 

 but that they are actually virithin the envelope is evident 

 when the circumference of the globe is accurately brought 

 into focus. The proximity of these pustules is greater 

 the younger the specimen, and as these pustules contain 

 the colouring matter of the animalcule, the young al- 

 ways appear more coloured than the old ones, as the 

 transparent spaces between the pustules is augmented 

 in the latter, and spread over a greater surface. Within 

 the parent is often seen a number of (from six to forty) 

 smaller ones, and even within these, when about to be 

 excluded, another generation may be observed. The 

 young within the parent, which, by the way, forms the 

 most striking characteristic of the species, may be ob- 

 served at first attached to the inside of the membranous 

 covering, but long before their birth revolving freely 

 in the parent, and others again within them. In partu- 

 rition, a portion of the parent globe is broken, and the 

 young are gradually and slowly evolved ; when this is 

 completed, like the fabular Phoenix, the parent dies, 

 and its body separates into numberless parts. 



This singular animalcule, to use the words of Baker, 

 '' moves in all directions ; forwards, backwards, up and 

 down, rolling over and over like a bowl, spinning hori- 

 zontally like a top, or gliding along smoothly without 



