196 DE8CBIPTI0N OF \_PoJy(jastrica. 



Fajiily.— DINOBRYINA. 



The animalcules of this family are distinctly, or to all appearances, 

 polygastric, and furnished with only one aperture to the body; 

 hence, like polypes, they can have no true alimentary canal. They 

 are possessed of a lorica or shell, and have the power at will, of 

 changing their form, but are \Wthout appendages. In one species of 

 the genus Dinohryon a simple filiform proboscis is present ; and in 

 the same genus, a delicate red sjjot, at the anterior portion of the 

 body, indicates the organ of vision. The nutritive apparatus is 

 obscure and undefined. The lorica is of the form of a Kttle pitcher 

 (urceolus), at the bottom of which the very contractile Euglena-Hke 

 creature is attached. Two genera only are known. 



Genus Epiptxis. The Pedestal Animalcule. — The characteristics 

 of this genus are mostly of the negative kind ; it wants the eye and 

 is attached. The most evident animal character possessed by the 

 species is the funnel-shaped orifice at its foremost extremity. The 

 soft or pulpy body is lodged within a delicate membranous (not 

 siliceous) lorica, wliich is usually afiixed by a pedicle, or foot, to a 

 piece of Conferva. 



E. utricidus. — Body of a conical pitcher-like form, small, and 

 filled with yellowish granides ; attached by a pedicle. Group 82 

 represents several of these creatures attached to a portion of conferva. 

 Length 1 -640th. 



Genus Dinobeyon. — This genus is distinguished from the pre- 

 ceding one by possessing an eye, and cnjoj-ing a freedom of motion. 

 The lorica also is more free from the body of the creature than in 

 Epipyxis. Eeproduction takes place by gemma or buds, which do not 

 separate from the parent ; hence a shrubby, forked, and Monad-like 

 cluster is produced. 



D. sertularia. Body large, invested with a lorica, slightly excised, 

 and dilated at the mouth, but constricted near the base. Developing 

 in the form of a shrub. (See group 83 and tig. 84.) This animalcule 



