Metazoa and Metaphyta. 



FIG. 9. Volvox Globator. (Stein.) 



classed with the Metazoa. Their metaphytal affinities are, 

 however, now deemed indubitable. 



It is necessary at this point that we should clearly under- 

 stand the relationship of the Metaphyta and Metazoa to the 

 Protista as a whole. 



A metaphyte is essentially a 

 vast collection of encysted cells, 

 or cells invested with cellulose 

 capsules (fig. 4). In Protomyxa 

 the encysted protoplasm be- 

 comes segmented into a number 

 of parts. Now if each of these 

 parts were to develop round it a 

 cellulose capsule, and to remain 

 attached to the neighbouring 

 segments, we should have formed 

 an elementary metaphyte. Such elementary Metaphyta are 

 found in great profusion ; and no doubt we may look upon 

 this as the probable way in which the group Metaphyta has 



FIG. io. LIFE-HISTORY OF Physarum album. (Cienkowski ) 



originated, namely, by the multiplication and cohesion of 

 encysted cells. We have only a few instances of Metaphyta 



F 



