Marvels of Pond-Life. 43 



CHAPTER IV. 



MARCH. 



Pararnecia— Effects of Sunlight — Pterodina patina — Curious tail — 

 Use of a Conipressorium — Internal structure of Pterodina — Meto- 

 pidia— Trichodina pediculus— Cothurnia— Salpina— Its three- sided 

 box — Protrusion of its gizzard mouth. 



HE Pararnecia, noticed in the last chapter, 

 have increased and multiplied their kind 

 without any fear lest the due adjustment 

 between population and food should fail to be preserved. 

 A small drop of the scum from the surface of the water 

 in their bottle is an astounding sight. They move 

 hither and thither in countless numbers, seldom 

 jostling, although thick as herrings in a tub, and in 

 many portions of the field the process of self-fissure, or 

 multiplication by division, is going on without any 

 symptoms of discomfort on the part of the parent crea- 

 ture. This is an interesting sight, but we will not 

 linger over it, for the sun is shining, and there is enough 

 warmth in the air to make it probable that the ponds 

 will be more prolific than in the cold winter months. 

 Sunshine is a great thing for the microscopic hunter ; 

 it brings swarm of creatures to the surface, and the 

 Rotifers are especially fond of its genial beams. Even 



