232 



EVENINGS AT THE MICROSCOPE. 



mulberry-like clusters of that beautiful green creature, 

 Syncrypta volvox, which is now pretty generally considered 

 a plant, though from its spontaneous motion, swimming 

 evenly along, revolving on its axis as it goes, you would 

 be inclined to agree with earlier observers in thinking it 

 an animal. These appear to be favourite morsels with the 

 Brachion : one has already been devoured, and is quite 

 visible in the alimentary canal, its brilliant green hue 

 shining out through the translucent viscera and tissues. 



Others are approaching, 

 and two or three are just 

 now drawn into the vor- 

 tex of the ciliary current. 

 It is amusing to see the 

 manoeuvres which the Bra- 

 chionus makes to take his 

 prey. I say manoeuvres, 

 for there really seem to 

 be perception and intelli- 

 gence. The mode in which 

 it directs its ciliated flaps 

 towards the spot where a 

 Syncrypta is whirling, or 

 suddenly stretches forward 

 to the extent of the long 

 foot, as if it would seize 

 the prey by force, seems 

 to indicate a cognizance of 

 its proximity ; as do also, 

 still more, the manner in 

 which it depresses the lip- 

 like lobes of the rotatory organ on one side, when the 

 prey is in the vortex on that side, and the eager haste 

 with which it shrinks down into its shell the instant the 

 little mulberry drops at length into the throat. 



But now comes the tug of war ; the black, millstone- 



BRACHIOJOTS. 



