ABSTRACT OF PAPERS 



READ AT THE MONTHLY 



SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS. 



JANUARY, 1881. 



Researches on the Artvcebco, by Mr. J. Fivllagar. 



The paper was illustrated by some of those beautifully 

 executed drawings of microscopic creatures for which Mr. 

 Fullagar has become justly renowned. The drawings showed 

 the remarkable series of changes of form observed in the case of 

 some Amoebas which were found in connection with some of the 

 singular water plant Nitella. The Amoeba is regarded as pre- 

 senting the simplest form of organic life. It consists of 

 a microscopical particle of sarcode or gelatinous matter endowed 

 with the power of movement and growth and the assimilation of 

 food. The movement takes place by the throwing out of 

 irregular and ever changing portions of its own substance, which 

 are termed pseudopodia or false feet, so that the Amoeba is con- 

 stantly varying its form. The sarcode is naked and homogeneous. 

 A movement of granules is perceptible and contractile vesicles 

 are seen in some specimens. Lowest in the scale of animal life, 

 if it be animal, the Amoeba performs many vital functions without 

 possessing the elaborate organs which higher grade living things 

 require. It is truly remarkable that so low an organism should 

 be able to move from place to place, seize, retain and digest as 

 food active living animalculse. It moves without limbs, eats 

 without a mouth, and digests its food without a stomach. Its 

 shape is a nondescript, no two are alike and no one retains the 

 same form long. The Amoeba captures in some mysterious way 

 and surrounds with its own body moving infusoria. Mr. 

 Fullagar has seen these gradually become enveloped, struggle to 

 escape from their living prison in vain, and at last die and be 



