531 DESCEiPTtoN OF {PolygOst/nca. 



dilatecl, and its marcfin slighlly expanded. The pedicle is very 

 slender, and cnriously mai'ked throughout its length with red dots. 

 Length 1-1 150th to l-570th; stalk four to five times as long. 



Genus CARcnEsmi. The tree and trumpet Animalcules are closely 

 allied to the preceding genus, from which they are distinguished by 

 having their spirally flexible jiedicle branched, in consequence of im- 

 perfect self-division. The bodies upon the pedicle are all of the 

 same form. The organization of this genus is not so well known as 

 that of Vorticella and EiyistyllH. A simple wreath of cilia, which 

 during quick vibration appears double, is observable ; and another, 

 at certain periods, at the posterior part of the body; within the 

 pedicle, a transversely folded thread-like muscle is observed during 

 contraction ; the mouth (which is lateral), and a polygastric alimen- 

 tary canal are distinct. Of the propagative system, whitish ova, 

 granules, and a contractile bladder, are seen ; but a spermatic gland 

 is not very distinct. Imperfect longitudinal self-division is a very 

 marked character ; the growth of the gemma) has been observed, and 

 the periodical separation of the body from the stalk gives rise to 

 free animalcules, as in Vorticella. 



C. polypinum (V. polypina, M. and Duj.) of Leeuwcnhoek 

 has a conical, campanulate body, the frontal portion broad, tinin- 

 cate, and the margin expanded. Colour white ; pedicle branched, 

 the division being sub-umbellate. The stomach-cells are easily 

 discerned when indigo is mixed with the water, and the mouth is 

 thus indicated by the particles congregated near it. The reception 

 of coloured food into the oesophagus is observable ; but its passage 

 from one digestive sac to the other is so quick, that the alimentary 

 canal has not been seen and traced as a continuous tube ; it is similar 

 to the act of swallowing in large animals, the food not remaining 

 for any length of time in the oesophagus before it passes into the 

 stomach. Figs. 240 to 245 represent ti'ce-like clusters, except fig. 

 244, which is a single free animalcule. Figs. 240 and 241 are only 

 slightly magnified ; the latter exhibits an animal contracted. In 

 figs. 242 and 245, as also the free pedicle, fig. 243, the muscle is 

 very distinct. This muscle was first observed by Mr. Varley. Size 

 1-5 70th to 1 -430th; ova granules 1 -24000th. 



C. py(j)a(cmn. — Body very small, ovate, white, rather dilated in 



