M4 EVEXIXGS AT THE MICEOSCOPE. 



CHAPTEE XXT. 



INFUSORIA. 



Reyenons a nos moutons. We will resume our ex 

 amination of the drop of pond-water, and the fragments 

 of Myrio])liyllum^ which have been waiting for us in the 

 live-box. 



Onr attention then shall first be given to some ele- 

 gant creatures of a brilliant translucent green hue. 

 which are gracefully gliding about. Thej are of the 

 genus Euglena^ so called because each is furnished 

 with a verj' conspicuous spot of a clear red hue, situated 

 near the head, which Ehrenberg, on account of its re- 

 semblance to the lowest forms of eyes in the Motif era^ 

 that are somewhat similar in colour and appearance, 

 pronounced to be an oi-gan of vision. More recent 

 phj^siologists, however, doubt the correctness of the cou 

 elusion. 



The animals are of several kinds. Tlie most nu- 

 merous is an active little thing of about aioth of an inch 

 in length when extended, though from its extreme ver- 

 eatility it is as difficult to assign to it a definite size, as 

 a definite shape. It seems to be the E. sanguinea, so 

 called because it is said to occur sometimes of a deep 

 red hue, and in such vast profusion, as to give the 

 waters the appearance of blood. I have never seen it, 

 nowever, other than as it now appears, rich cuiernld 

 green in the body, with the two extremities perfectly 



