A BAD CASE. IHS 



confusion by the way in which the original animal 

 had been wrenched in half, and in both a grannlar 

 mass was forming opposite the mouth end. The 

 proboscis portion, which may perhaps be termed 

 the mother^ Avas more advanced than her progeny, 

 but both had a great deal to do if they meant 

 to exhibit the original figure, and develop a set of 

 bowels as elegantly branched. Whether they would 

 have succeeded or not under happier circumstances 

 I cannot tell, but unfortunately the Fate Avho 

 carries the scissors cut short their days. 



In all other animalcides in which I had observed 

 the process of multiplication by self-division, it seemed 

 to go on smoothly, and with no discomfort to 

 either the dividend or the quotient, and it may 

 be that in the fission of the Trachelivs ovum I 

 witnessed Avhat the doctors would call a bad case. 

 Indeed it may have been prematurely brought on, 

 and aggravated by the squeeze in the live-box. It 

 is, however, probable, from tlie stronger texture 

 and greater organic development of this animalcule, 

 that it does not divide so easily as the softer and 

 simpler kinds. 



Frequent examination of this animalcule has cre- 

 ated a strong doubt in my mind whether it is 

 rightly placed in our "systems." My own impression 

 is that it belongs to a much higher class, and is 

 not a Trachelius at all. 



