FLOSCULE AND VOL VOX GLOB A TOR 185 



an ' old-fashioned telescope hearth-broom.' To my 

 sight was conveyed the impression of a lovely vase, 

 with five points, having five festooning curves between 

 them, while the points seem like small electric lamps, 

 the cilia, or feelers, completing the resemblance to 

 rays of electric light. One can see but little re- 

 semblance between an old-fashioned hearth-broom 

 and a lovely vase, yet both ideas are perfectly in 

 accordance with this extraordinary creature's shapes 

 and behaviour. As in many other cases, we 

 recommend a personal examination of the object 

 with a good microscope. One peep will not satisfy 

 you, but it will be better than any description ever 

 given by any writer, however capable an observer he 

 may be. I feel certain, too, that no author will feel 

 aggrieved at this statement. There is one other 

 feature you must remember to notice when engaged 

 in viewing the beautiful floscule, and that is, the face 

 of the clock, or of the watch in your pocket. 



VOLVOX. 



If we were to send to our friends who have micro- 

 scopes, and who live within a reasonable distance, the 

 simple message, ' Come and see volvox,' we should 

 receive at once prompt response to the invitation. 

 And this, moreover, from those of our neighbours 

 who see this object as regularly as the summer comes 

 round. These four simple words contain sufficient 

 magnetism to draw together a considerable gathering 

 for an evening's intellectual enjoyment. 



