THE DAWN OF LIFE 



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digestive liquid exuded from the enclosing mass into rounded 

 cavities or extemporised stomachs. Minute granules are seen 

 to circulate in the gelatinous interior, and may be substitutes 

 for blood-cells, and the outer layer of the body is capable of 

 protrusion in any direction into long processes, which are very 

 mobile, and used for locomotion and prehension. Further, 

 this creature, though destitute of most of the parts which we 

 are accustomed to regard as proper to animals, seems to exer- 

 cise volition, and to show the same appetites and passions with 

 animals of higher type. I have watched one of these animal- 





Fig. S. Amoiba. Fig. 9. Actinophrys. 



From original sketches. 



cules endeavouring to swallow a one-celled plant as long as its 

 own body ; evidently hungry and eager to devour the tempting 

 morsel, it stretched itself to its full extent, trying to envelope 

 the object of its desire. It failed again and again ; but renewed 

 the attempt, until at length, convinced of its hopelessness, it 

 flung itself away as if in disappointment, and made off in search 

 of something more manageable. With the Amoeba are found 

 other types of equally simple Protozoa, but somewhat differently 



