CulepinaJ] infusorial animalcules. 567 



Family COLEPINA. 



The animalcules of this small family arc loricated, and possess a 

 polygastric alimentary canal, whose orifices are placed at the opposite 

 extremities of the body. The lorica is in the form of a small cask, 

 composed either of minute plates, placed in a row, or of little rings, 

 between which cilia are situated. Anteriorly the lorica is truncated, 

 smooth, or toothed ; mouth ciliated ; it terminates posteriorly in from 

 thi-ee to five little points. The digestive cells in these creatures are 

 readily filled with coloured food, and its remains ejected posteriorly. 

 The ova granules are coloured in C. viridis ; in the other species 

 colourless ; complete transverse self-division has been observed in one 

 species. A distinguishing character of Infusoria is their asymmetri- 

 cal figure ; but the genus Coleps is an exception to this general rule. 



Genus Coleps. The little box Animalcules — This being the only 

 genus, its characteristics are identical with those of its family. 



C. hirtiis {Cercaria hirta, M.) — This brisk little creature has 

 an oval white body. Its lorica is apparently composed of small 

 polygonal plates, and between them, both transversely and longitu- 

 dinally, are rows of cilia. The tablets terminate anteriorly in nine- 

 teen pointed processes, and posteriorly in three, f. 284. The mouth 

 is furnished with cilia, f. 285 ; (f. 286 is an end view of the lorica.) 



In my work on Animalcules, I have stated the difficulty there 

 was in examining it, from its restless habits ; and Ehrenberg makes 

 a similar statement, and says, in swimming it is difficult to perceive 

 its lorica, but when dried, or pressed between glasses, the little 

 shields composing it are rendered visible. Found amongst Conferva. 

 Eather scarce. Length l-570th to l-430th. 



C. viridis. — Body green, oval and ciliated; lorica composed of 

 plates terminating in three points. Found amongst Conferva. Size 

 l-960th to l-570th. 



C. elongatus. — Body cylindrical, elongated ; lorica tabulated, white, 

 and terminating in three points ; transverse self-division has been 

 observed. Size 1-5 70th to 1 -430th. 



C. amphicanthus. — Has an ovate, shorter body; lorica composed 

 of rings ; the anterior part crowned with unequal teeth, the posterior 



