12 



BEGINNERS' ZOOLOGY 



the particle (Fig. 12). The water and the 

 particle are soon absorbed and assimilated 

 by the endoplasm. 



Excretion. — If a particle of sand or other 

 indigestible matter is taken in, it is left behind 

 as the amoeba moves on. There is a clear 

 space called the contractile vacuole, which 

 slowly contracts and disappears, then reap- 

 pears and expands (Figs. 9 and 10). This 

 possibly aids in excreting oxidized or useless 

 material. 



Circulation in the amoeba consists of the 

 movement of its protoplasmic particles. It 

 lacks special organs of circulation. 



Feeling. — Jarring the glass slide seems to 

 be felt, for it causes the activity of the amoeba 

 to vary. It does not take in for food every 

 particle that it touches. This may be the 

 beginning of taste, based upon mere chemical 

 affinity. The pseudopods aid in feeling. 



Reproduction. — Sometimes an amoeba is 

 seen dividing into two parts. A narrowing 

 takes place in the middle; the nucleus also 

 divides, a part going to each portion (Fig. 13). 



The mother amoeba finally divides into two daughter 



amoebas. Sex is wanting. 



Source of the Amoeba's Energy — We thus sec that the 



amoeba moves without feet, eats without ;i mouth, digests 



without a stomach, feels 



without nerves, and, it 



should also be stated, 



breathes without lungs, 



for oxygen is absorbed 



from the water by its whole 



Fig. 12. — The 



Amceba taking 



food. 



