2io THE MICROSCOPE. 



quently bifurcate, the branches crossing others without coalescing, 

 probably on different planes, and extend to a distance equalling or 

 twice exceeding the diameter of the body, then becoming extremely 

 delicate. At times a furcated branch so fine that it is visible only 

 on careful examination will writhe and twist and finally bend upon 

 itself until the tip touches, when the sarcode drips rapidly down the 

 pseudopod in minute beads. This beaded aspect is also noticeable 

 in layer pseudopodia, the globules slipping down in quick succession 

 without any apparent diminution in the size of the pseudopod; if 

 an inner upward current was present it was invisible. 



In addition to their use as purveyors of food and as locomotive 

 organs, if they are employed for the latter purpose which is some- 

 what doubtful, they often have another function: that of lifting the 

 excrementitious matters from the body through and beyond the en- 

 veloping protoplasmic layer. In many instances, two of which in the 

 same individual are shown in the figure. I have seen small clusters 

 of effete particles carried by a thick and tortuous pseudopod from 

 the body sarcode beyond the layer of linear bodies on the surface of 

 the protoplasmic investment and dropped clear. The larger food 

 particles are enclosed within a vacuole whose fluid contents 

 are seemingly in motion, as the food itself is variously turned 

 about without contact with the body sarcode. When ready to be 

 ejected the vacuole quickly disappears and the rejectamenta are shot 

 out with some force, enveloped by a thick sarcode mass soon with- 

 drawn. 



Often for no visible reason a part of the animal becomes sur- 

 rounded by an irregular secondary layer of the linear processes 

 usually present on the surface. As the creature squeezes through a 

 tight place they stream out behind as if about to part company with 

 the host, but I have not seen any sever the connection. And what 

 that connection is, whether it is more than a layer of structureless 

 protoplasm I have in vain tried to determine. A careful arrange- 

 ment of the light and a careful examination with a Spencer homo- 

 geneous immersion y^ of August last have revealed no structure be- 

 tween the body sarcode and the villous exterior. 



The contractile vesicles are several and irregularly placed near 

 the margin. One pulsated four times in two minutes, another four 

 times in two and one-half -minutes. 



One method of reproduction is by transverse fission. Of this 



