MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 51 



Fig. 101. An Infusorial Animalcule (Amoeba diffluens), 



x200. 



The best description of the Amceba would be, (( a simple 

 mass of organic animal matter ; " for in fact, as to shape, it 

 cannot be described, being constantly changing. By old authors 

 it was well called " Proteus." It may be found in nearly all 

 water that has a quantity of decaying matter, such as leaves, 

 in it ; but the best, and a certain place in which to find it, is 

 in the slimy and frothy scum which appears on many ponds 

 in the spring and summer. The form of the animal when it 

 is at rest, which is rarely the case, is globular. It may be 

 considered one of the lowest forms of animal life. 



It may be mounted; but objects like this are always best 

 seen when alive. They, together with many other kinds of 

 animalcules, may be kept in suitable glass jars. 



Fig. 102. Foraminif era from Chalk, x 100. 



This chalk, taken from Detling, near Maidstone, is tole- 

 rably rich in fossil Foraminifera (Rotalinae, Textularise, 

 Globigerinse, &c.) intermixed with a large number of the re- 

 markable disk-like bodies called crystalloids. 



A deposit, nearly like chalk in its constituents, is now being 

 deposited in the bed of the Atlantic. The method of prepa- 

 ration is, to take a small piece of chalk and scrape it fine, or, 

 what is better, a small quantity of the natural powder found 

 at the base of the chalk-cliffs ; put this into a 6- or 8-ounce 

 phial and fill with water ; keep on adding fresh water as long 

 as it comes away of a milky tint ; the deposit will then be 

 found to consist of minute shells &c. The waste water is 

 best removed with a glass siphon. To mount the Foramini- 

 fera, a small quantity should be soaked in turpentine for a 

 short time, and then mounted in balsam as usual. If any air- 

 bubbles occur, they will disappear in the course of a few days. 



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