16 EHIZOPODA. 



Foramiiiifera are composite fabrics. The Rotalia* 



(Fig. 5), for example, might ahnost be taken for the 



FXG. 6.— FIGURE OF KOCTILUCA MILIARIS. 



shell of a microscopic nautilus, nay, has been so mis- 

 taken even by the most eminent zoologists. These 

 exquisite structures consist of a series of compart- 

 ments, in the interior of which the semifluid sub- 

 stance of the animal is lodged. The walls of each 

 of these compartments are perforated with innumer- 

 able holes, through which the slender glass-like fila- 

 ments protrLide in all directions to a considerable 

 distance, so that the shell in which the main body of 

 the creature is encased, has somewhat the appearance 

 of a spider sitting in the centre of its web. 



These semifluid filaments (Pseiido-jyodia) also con- 

 stitute the prehensile organs of these simj^le beings. 

 Any small objects serviceable for nutriment with 

 which they come in contact are laid hold of apparently 

 by the viscidity of their surface, and except they are 

 animalcules of considerable size and power, they are 

 unable to escape. When a filament has so seized its 



* Rota, a wheel. 



