90 Marvels of Pond-Life. 



whicli was noticeable on looking at the edges, altliougli 

 in l^lie centre it was transparent eaough to show the 

 brilliant green contents, that resembled the chlorophyl, 

 or green colouring matter of plants. From a short 

 neck proceeded the whip-like filament, which was 

 lashed and twisted about in all directions. These little 

 creatures belong to the monad family, but whether they 

 are to be called Trachelomonads, or by some other hard 

 name, the learned must decide. 



The ^ Micrographic Dictionary ' puts a note of 

 interrogation to the assertion of some writers that 

 Trachelomonads have no necks, and draws some with 

 such an appendage. 



Pritchard^s last edition is against necks, and whether 

 the necks or no necks are to win, is a mighty question 

 equal at least to the famous controversy, which divided 

 the world into ^* big and little endians in the matter 

 of breaking eggs."*^ 



A discussion of more importance is, whether these 

 Cryptomonads — that name will do whatever comes of 

 the neck controversy — are animals or vegetables. 

 Lachmann and Mr. Carter affirm that thev have 

 detected a contractile vesicle, which would assimulate 

 them to the animal series, but their general behaviour 

 is vegetable ; and the ' Micrographic Dictionary ' is in 

 favour of referring them to the Algce — that great family 

 of simple plants, of which the sea-weeds are the most 

 important representatives. 



When any of the monads swarm, there are sure to 

 be plenty of other creatures to eat them up, and in 

 this instance the predaceous animalcule^ already 



