THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE. 381 



two, which may be perceived whilst they are yet 

 grouped or separate in the transparent gonidial cell, 

 where they already exhibit a certain amount of poly- 

 morphism. Shortly after they have become free in the 

 internode, the wall of the latter gives way and they 

 pass into the water, where for a certain time they re- 

 main so active that it is almost impossible to describe 

 their form; but here and there, that which I have stated 

 may be seen in those which are less active in their 

 movements than the rest/ The elongated or spindle- 

 shaped forms are generally provided with two cilia of 

 about equal length, one of which, usually motionless, is 

 bent backwards underneath the body, whilst the other 

 projects anteriorly and exhibits a constant whipping 

 movement. But, c After a while, perhaps some hours, 

 the gonidia become stationary, and while they appear to 

 be fixed by the proboscis mentioned, the long cilium 

 floats motionless, or presents a languid kind of whip-like 

 undulation ; the latter then disappears, and a day or two 

 after, the gonidia, both small and great . . . are seen 

 creeping about the watch-glass (into which they were 

 transferred for observation) under as active polymor- 

 phism as any amcebous cell could present ; diffluent, 

 digitated, and in the form of that beautifully radiated 

 figure called Actinophrys sol (Ehr.).' 



Again, we are told by M. Nicolet 1 that in vegetal 

 substances which are undergoing decay Amoebae are 



1 See Thompson's 'Arcana Naturae,' Paris, 1859, p. 31, PI. iii. figs. 

 i and 2. 



