INFUSORIA. 145 



animal, when it projects, extends for a considerable dis- 

 tance beyond the opening at the front of the lorica. 

 When frightened, or disturbed in any way, it quickly 

 closes up its broader front part, and retreats as far into 

 the lorica as possible. When recovered from its fright 

 it slowly ascends to the opening, expands it- 

 self and resumes its fishing operations. It is 

 fastened to the extreme end of the lorica by 

 the tip of the body ; from the sides it is en- 

 tirely free. On its front border it has a 

 wreath of fine cilia in continuous motion Fl s- ni Va - 



ginicola. 



when the animal is extended. The body is 

 soft and flexible, and is sometimes of a pale greenish 

 tint, but the lorica, I think, seldom changes color with 

 age. It is not uncommon to find two bodies in one 

 sheath, where they seem to live together in peace and 

 harmony. This may be an advantage to both, for two 

 wreaths of cilia can, of course, produce stronger cur- 

 rents, and so bring more food to the mouths of the 

 always hungry creatures. Vayinwola is quite common 

 on Lemna and Myriophyllum. 



7. PLATYCOLA (Fig. 112). 



The lorica is flattened, and is in outline almost circu- 

 lar. It is always adherent to some submerged object by 

 the broad flat side, the opposite or upper surface being 

 convex. The opening, through which the animal ex- 

 tends itself as in Yaginicola, is at one end, and is often 

 prolonged into a short neck. The figure shows a side 



