Marvels of Pond-Life. 139 



tunately the Fate who carries the scissors cut short their 

 days. 



In all other animalcules 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 Trachelius ovum I witnessed what 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 

 the 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 created 

 a strong doubt in my mind whether it is rightly placed 

 in our " systems/'' My own impression is that it 

 belongs to a higher class. 



