OF ANIMALCULES. /I 



animalcule is cylindrical, and of an opal appearance. The 

 anterior part is enlarged and convex, and the body gra- 

 dually diminishes to the other extremity. It is easily re- 

 cognized by the several contractions along the body, 

 giving it the appearance of joints. It moves like the 

 common earth-worm, and is very sluggish. When it 

 inflects itself laterally, a dark mark may be seen running 

 along the middle : sometimes this line or alimentary 

 canal is broken, but mostly continuous. Found in 

 marshes in November. Scarce. 



104. Vibrio intestinum. — This gelatinous animalcule 

 is of the same milk-white colour as the preceding, and 

 has some resemblance to it, but no contractions have been 

 observed in the body : it is capable of altering its 

 form considerably, especially the fore part, which it can 

 dilate into a broad flat mass, or contract into a taper point : 

 no line is observed down the body, but there are always 

 seen a few bright globules near its posterior extremity. 



105. Vibrio virminus. The norm Vibrio. — This ani- 

 malcule consists of a long diaphanous membrane, gra- 

 dually diminishing towards its anterior extremity : near 

 the middle of the body is occasionally seen two small 

 globules, and one near the posterior; these are, pro- 

 bably, digestive sacs. Two of them are often seen 

 united about the middle of their body, somewhat resem- 

 bling the Siamese twins. Found in foetid sea- water. 



106. Vibrio malleus. The hammer Vibrio, — These 

 singular animalcules, which are often found in great 



