146 DESCRIPTION OF [Polygostrica. 



the luminous creatures of the sea, which, perhaps from some peculiar 

 organic relation or condition, yet unknown to us, are instrumental in. 

 producing that curious'and certainly vital phenomenon usually termed 

 phosphorescent sea." It may he further noticed, that all the luminous 

 Infusoria of the sea, hitherto discovered, are characterized as being 

 of the same yellowish waxy colour as the species of this genus ; and 

 it is probable that this condition is immediately connected with the 

 interesting phenomenon in. question. 



Peoeocentetjm micans. — Form oval and compressed, attenuated at 

 the posterior part, but dilated and pointed anteriorly; colour of 

 yellow-wax. Found in sea water. Figures 24 and 25 exhibit two 

 animalcules magnified 300 diameters ; the first is a side view, the 

 latter aback view. The proboscis in figure 24 indicates the position 

 of the mouth. Size 1 -430th. 



P. viridis. — Figure ovate, suborbicular, turgid ; posterior end 

 rounded; anterior shortly pointed; colour green. Size 1-llOOth. 

 Found in the Baltic sea. 



Genus Lagenella. — The flash-shaped Monad is distinguished from 

 the other loricated Monads by its closed shell being so extended 

 anteriorly, as to give it a neck-shaped appearance, like that of a 

 bottle or flask. This shell or lorica is perfectly distinct, and as clear 

 as crystal. The only part of the organization of the creatui'e at pre- 

 sent known is the eye, or bright red speck, which is always to be 

 seen in this genus, and the green granules within the body of the 

 animalcule, which Ehrenberg supposes to be ova. 



T. eiicMora. — Form oval, neck short and truncated ; lorica crys- 

 talline; colour of the body or eggs gi'een. Figui'es 26, 27, and 28, 

 are representations of this creature magnified. I'ound amongst con- 

 ferva. Size l-1200th. 



Genus Ceyptoglena. The loricated Monads ivith an eye. — This 

 genus is distinctly characterized by the species having an open lorica. 

 of the form of a shield {scutellum), but folded or rolled inwardly at 

 the sides, and without the projecting neck. The eye is perfectly evi- 

 dent, and the small digestive cells appear to be covered with gi-een 

 egg-like granules. In the species C. conica, traces are seen in the 

 centre of the body of a male generative apparatus, in the form of 

 two oval glandular masses, of a greyish colour ; in this species also a 



