THE FLOWEHLESS PLANTS. 



47 



the taking in of solid food through a permanent mouth 

 would place it among animals. There are still other 

 characteristics which are too difficult for observation by 

 the beginner, some of which would place Euglena among 

 plants, while others would place it among animals. 



Animal Forms. 



A consideration of a few of the lowest forms of animal 

 life will help the beginner to a better understanding of 

 the lowest forms of plants, and 

 particularly to a better under- 

 standing of the motile forms of 

 plants. The pupil will also be 

 better prepared to understand 

 the theory of evolutionists that 

 all life on the earth has devel- 

 oped from the same original 

 simple forms, plants being the 

 result of variations in develop- 

 ment along one line, animals of 

 variation along another line. 

 This consideration must be very 

 brief and superficial. 



Paramcecium. The same 

 vessel of decaying water plants 

 that furnished the Euglense has 

 probably also produced Para- 

 moecia or Slipper Animalcules. 

 Study these under high power, 

 comparing with Fig. 23. Notice 

 particularly the fringe of minute hairs, or cilia, whose 

 lashings produce the movements of the organism. 



Amoeba. Amoebae have also probably been produced 

 in abundance in the vessel that has provided the Euglense 



FIG. 23. Paramoecium. The 

 figure represents the organ- 

 ism only in outline. The 

 circle in the lower part rep- 

 resents a contractile vacuole 

 in a state of rest. The cir- 

 cle in the upper part, sur- 

 rounded by dots, represents 

 a contractile vacuole in the 

 act of contracting to expel 

 waste products. The series 

 of dots shows the general 

 movement of food particles 

 within the organism. The 

 whole cell has a granular ap- 

 pearance, and these details 

 can be seen only by careful 

 observation. (X480.) 



