VAGINICOLA. 15o 



hue. The slightest disturbance caused the ciliary 

 wreaths to be drawn in, and the bodies to be 

 retracted, and descend into their house like a 

 conjuring toy, until the appearance first described 

 was reproduced. 



The general form and ' structure of these objects 

 was like the drawings usually given of Vmjviicola^ 

 which is said not to exist in groups, although two 

 individuals are commonly found in one well-shaped 

 cell. These creatures however did not taper towards 

 the base as Yaginicolas generally do, and perhaps 

 they became aware of this defect in their figures, 

 for after a day or two a ch tinge appeared, and they 

 assumed a more graceful form by swelling out in 

 the middle, and tlien growing slender down to the 

 bottom, very much like the pattern given by 

 glass-blowers to little vases for flowers. 



It is very important to note the changing ap- 

 pearance of animalcules, and where the same indi- 

 viduals can be observed from day to day, these 

 will often be found considerable. It is probable 

 that when such particulars are fully known, the 

 number of species will be greatly reduced, and the 

 study of these organisms considerably simplified. I 

 have called the animals just described Vaginicolw^ 

 but the reader nuist be prepared to find the same 

 sort of bodies, inhabiting well-formed vases, either 

 solitarily or in couples, the latter condition arising 



