INFUSORIAL ANIMALCULES. 



145 



When they have all attained their growth, the shell divides into four 

 parts, leaving four monads on each ; these four grow in size, and each 

 again divide into four, hence arises their magic number of sixteen ; 

 then, as soon as the sixteen are of a mature size, they divide into a 

 community of four ; and thus go on dividing and subdividing, end- 

 lessly fulfilling their appointed destiny in links of creation. 



fig. 95. Infusorial Animalcules. 



Group of Vibrio Spirilla. 2. Enchelis, or Flask Animalcules. 3. Gonium pec- 

 tor ale, or Breast- plate Animalcules. 4, 5, 6. Amceba, or the Proteus, represented 

 in the forms it commonly assumes. 7. Vorticella cyanthina, or bell-shaped ani- 

 malcules. 8. Berg-mehl, or Mountain-meal Animalcules. 9. Echinella, or Fan- 

 shaped Animalcules ; an enlarged view of one is seen by the side of the cluster. 



VIBRIO. VIBRIONES. 



In this family Ehrenberg includes the well-known eels of paste and 

 vinegar, which must be altogether rejected. 



Vibrio Spirilla, Trembling Animalcules, when motionless, are seen 

 as very minute hairs ; but when they exert the powers of locomotion, 

 they take a spiral form, like the threads of a fine screw, and by undu- 



