WHAT IS EOZOON? 63 



addition multitudes of microscopic pores through which 

 the soft gelatinous matter can ooze, and form outside 

 finger-like or thread-like extensions for collecting food. 

 In some cases the shell consists of a single cavity only, 

 but in most, after one cell is completed, others are added, 

 forming a series of cells or chambers communicating 

 with each other, and often arranged spirally or other- 

 wise in most beautiful and symmetrical forms. Some 

 of these creatures, usually named Foraminifera, are 



FIG. 17. Polymorphina. 



A many- chambered Foramim'fer. Magnified as an opaque object. Figs. 14 to 

 17 are from original sketches of Post-pliocene specimens. 



locomotive, others sessile and attached. Most of them 

 are microscopic, but some grow by multiplication of 

 chambers till they are a quarter of an inch or more in 

 breadth. (Figs. 14 to 17.) 



The original skeleton or primary cell-wall of most of 

 these creatures is seen under the microscope to be per- 

 forated with innumerable pores, and is extremely thin. 

 When, however, owing to the increased size of the 

 shell, or other wants of the creature, it is necessary to 



