Infusoria of the Islatid of Bombay. 251 



first step towards the pi-rtbrmance ot" tlie mysterious function. 

 That is to say, the contents of the ori,L!:inal cell UTidcrgo more 

 or less dividing into a greater or less number of parts for the 

 multiplication of individuals by each ])roccss. 



Now, when the original cell yields to the internal pressure 

 so caused, and its divided contents are thus liberated into the 

 Avater, they may, under abnormal or abortive circumstances, 

 continue for a longer or shorter time more or less grouped to- 

 gether before they ultimately separate, and in this state, col- 

 lectively or individually, assume forms so different from the 

 original cell tliat they have in many instances received dif- 

 ferent names for their difierent phases, as though they had 

 been distinct species. Uvella hodo appears to me to be one of 

 these. 



This extended nomenclature does not matter so long as the 

 names are known to apply to the parts of a species otherwise 

 indicated ; indeed they are as necessary as convenient. Hence 

 I do not hesitate to describe the following phase under the 

 name given to it by the illustrious microscopist of Berlin. 



Uvella hodo (Ehr. tab. 1. fig. 21, ' Infusionsthierchen '). — 

 Conical, grouped in the form of grapes, green. Anterior ex- 

 tremity obtuse, provided with a bunch of many cilia, which 

 project forwards from the centre ; posterior extremity acute ; 

 general surface presenting the pointed ends of tlie cells which 

 compose the mass. Cells sixteen in number, developed upon 

 a central or axial cavity, which is conical ; each cell pyrifonn, 

 of a deep-green colour, fixed by its obtuse end to the central 

 cavity, and liaving its pointed one free and floating backwards ; 

 monoci bated, with red eye-spot ; contracting vesicle and con- 

 tents of the body generally consisting of protoplasm charged 

 with chlorophyll, nucleus, and sundry granules. 8ize of the 

 largest group observed (viz. that figured) l-41oth inch long by 

 l-540th broad; individual cell l-900th inch long by l-1800th 

 broad (fig. 14). 



Hab. Island of Bombay, in shallow freshwater pools which 

 soon dry up after the cessation of the rainy monsoon, from 

 June to August inclusive ; in company with almost the Avhole 

 tribe of green filigerous Infusoria. Progression oscillatory, 

 with the large end of tlie group foremost. 



Ohs. I have often seen Uvella hodo, and as often figured 

 and described it, in the months mentioned, always thinking 

 that, as Ehrenberg's figure did not by any means portray 

 sufliciently this beautiful organism, I would one day attemjit 

 to sup[>ly the deficiency. The groups vary greatly in size ; 

 and the cilia sometimes float backwards between the caudal 

 extremities of the cells, as well as project in front of the group ; 



1(J-- 



