88 NATURAL HISTORY 



— The turkey -hen Kolpoda is larger than the preceding 

 species : it assumes a variety of curious and diverting 

 forms. Its most common appearance is shewn at figure 

 73. It sometimes contracts itself into a flat and nearly 

 circular mass, with the margin curiously indentated, and 

 the surface variously folded ; at other times it stretches 

 itself, and displays, under the microscope, a series of 

 longitudinal stripes along the body ; then, again, it is me- 

 tamorphosed into the form of figure 75, having its pos- 

 terior extremity in the form of a hammer. Under a good 

 instrument, with the assistance of finely-divided colouring 

 matter, the body may be observed covered with hair, and 

 the form of its alimentary organs demonstrated. It pro- 

 pagates by spawn, during the casting of which the pos- 

 terior position of the parent is dissipated. They are 

 found among healthy duck-weed, under which they often 

 retire, and elude the search of the microscopist. By 

 placing several discs of the lemna on a stage-glass, and 

 examining them one by one under a low magnifier, they 

 may be readily found, though they are seldom very 

 abundant. 



158. Kolpoda assimilis. The notched Kolpoda. — This 

 is a short, pear-shaped animalcule, with the pointed ex- 

 tremity bent, and the concave side notched. The ali- 

 mentary sacs are generally disposed near one side of the 

 body, and arranged in an elliptical cluster : the posterior 

 is suddenly pointed. Found in sea water. 



159. Kolpoda cucullus. The cuckoo Kolpoda, or com- 

 mon bosom Animalcule. — This singular creature, as it 



