in.] THE PROTEUS ANIMALCULE. 19 



form a continuous sheet, but permits a rod to be passed 

 into or through the bubble without bursting itj the walls 

 closing together, and recovering their continuity, as soon 

 as the rod is drawn away. 



It is this property of the ectosarc of the Amoeba which 

 enables us to understand the way in which these animals 

 take in and throw out again solid matter, though they have 

 neither mouth, anus, nor alimentary canal. The solid body 

 passes through the ectosarc, which immediately closes up 

 and repairs the rent formed by its passage. In this manner, 

 the Amcebcz take in the small, usually vegetable, organisms, 

 which serve them for food, and subsequently get rid of the 

 undigested solid parts. 



The chemical composition of the bodies of the Amcebcz 

 has not been accurately ascertained, but they undoubtedly 

 consist, in great measure, of water containing a protein com- 

 pound, and are similar to other forms of protoplasm. They 

 absorb oxygen and give out carbonic acid, and the presence 

 of free oxygen is necessary to their existence. When the 

 medium in which they live is cooled down to the freezing 

 point their movements are arrested, but they recover when 

 the temperature is raised. At a temperature of about 35 C. 

 their movements are arrested, and they pass into a condition 

 of " heat-stiffening," from which they recover if that tem- 

 perature is not continued too long ; at 40 to 45 C. they 

 are killed. 



Electric shocks of moderate strength cause Amoeba at 

 once to assume a spherical still form, but they recover after 

 a while. Strong shocks kill them. 



Not unfrequently, an active Amceba becomes still spon- 

 taneously, acquires a rounded form, and secretes a structure- 

 less case or cyst, in which it remains enclosed for a shorter 

 or longer period. 



2 2 



