STAR-LIKE ANIMALS. 



121 



mens you may see the fine limpid life -fluid passing 

 through the transparent tubular tentacle from one 

 body to the other. The captive is not drawn 

 towards its captor beyond the point of the tentacle, 



FIG. 22. 

 A. Podophrya quadrlpartita, B. Immature form of ditto. 



where it is held until all its internal juices are 

 sucked out, and what remains is simply dropped 

 from the suctorial organ and allowed to float away 

 in the surrounding water. The tentacles of the 

 Acineton are withdrawn very slowly, and apparently 

 with some difficulty. The habit of holding off 

 their prey necessitates or induces a certain rigidity ; 



