CLASS OF THE EOTIFERA. 



501 



composed of animated jelly, nourished by imbibition ; now it 

 is no longer the simplicity of their structure which surprises 

 us, but the complication of their organization, wholly micro- 

 scopic. 



These animalcules are met with in stagnant waters. Their 

 body is semi-transparent, and presents traces sufficiently dis- 

 tinct of annular divisions. The mouth occupies the anterior 

 extremity, and on each side, or even all around the orifice, 

 may generally be seen vibratile cilia, the rotatory movements 

 of which are extremely remarkable. Almost always the 



Fig. 530. Fluke Worm ; Fasciola Hepatica. 



pharynx (arriere boucke) is furnished with powerful muscles, 

 and armed with lateral jaws. The digestive canal is straight ; 

 it extends from one extremity of the body to another, and has 

 generally towards the middle an enlargement representing 

 the stomach of these small beings ; often may be seen, on 

 either side of this tube, bodies apparently glandular, and at 

 its posterior extremity a sort of cloaca, in which terminate 

 the oviducts. A great number of muscles have also been dis- 



