Transmutation of Form in certain Protozoa. 191 



greater correctness if we bear in mind that this may take place. 

 Thus the Euglena, which possesses some of the properties of change 

 of form which are homologous of those here witnessed, is evidently 

 capable of arriving at the condition of green bodies containing 

 chlorophyll masses with the red eye before it is extruded from the 

 parent organism, while it is also capable of arriving at a similar 

 stage of existence through several conditions, as proved by my early 

 experiments detailed in my first communication to this Journal.* 



The present view of the Infusoria has two points of importance ; 

 in the first place, if accepted, it reduces the classification to a simpler 

 and less confusing state, and in the second, it offers a self-evident 

 explanation of their constant appearance under all circumstances in 

 which atmospheric air is a factor of the accidents of life. The 

 first of these points is one of importance, as may be shown by 

 reference to any book of scientific classification and nomenclature, 

 from which it will be seen that the same object is often indicated 

 by different names given by the early or original observer, and in 

 the case of the Infusoria, since for so long a time Ehrenberg was 

 their principal if not sole expositor, it has become matter of course 

 that where this great naturalist had in the first instance given a 

 name and a class which subsequent investigators have found it 

 necessary to modify, much confusion has arisen from one and the 

 same object being spoken of and classified under two different plans. 

 Thus Loxodes Bursaria is called by another observer Paramoecium _ 

 Bursaria, Pleuronema is called Paramoecium, and many others in 

 similar manner. 



I trust that I have now shown some cause for believing that 

 transmutation of form appHes very freely to this class of nature's 

 objects, and that we shall thus the more readily enter upon the 

 consideration of the origin of the Infusoria generally in Monas and 

 its congeners 



Lancaster, August, 1871. 



Many plants are known by two or three names, according to 

 the observer, e. g. Gongosira clavata (Kiitzing) is Conferva multi- 

 cajosularis (Dilwyn), Protococcus viridis is Chlamidomonas of 

 Ehrenberg and Diselmis of Dujardin : Protococcus and Chlorococcus 

 are also Hable to much confusion. 



* See ' M. M. J.,' Aug., 1869, p. 101, line 41. 



