42 THOUGHTS ON ANIMALCULES. 



IX. 



THE VORTICELLINA, OR BELL-SHAPED ANIMALCULES. 

 Plate III. 



THE object next to be examined is a portion of the 

 mucus, or jelly, that we observed adhering to the sprig 

 of the aquatic plant when first brought under our 

 notice, (see page 9). Viewed with a moderate power, 

 this apparent film of jelly is found to be composed of 

 clusters of living animalcules, of very elegant forms. 

 One part resembles a minute shrub, (pi. in, fig. 1); 

 another portion consists of groups of bell-shaped cups, 

 suspended by threads, or filaments, (pi. in, fig. 3) ; and, 

 associated with these fixed groups, are several free ani- 

 mals, of the same general configuration, which are 

 traversing the water in various directions, (pi. n, figs. 13, 

 1 5). All these animalcules are Polygastria, distinguished 

 from those previously described by the cilia being ar- 

 ranged around the region of the mouth, or aperture for 

 the food, and by a peculiar modification of the di- 

 gestive canal. In these Infusoria the body is either of 

 a funnel, or bell-like shape, having the upper border 



