INFUSORIA. 171 



amazing quickness. Myriads of little black 

 yibriones abound in almost all stagnant waters, 

 and may be seen mingled with the other 

 infusoria by taking a little of the scum in the 

 way just recommended. Those who wish for 

 acquaintance with the several forms these 

 animalculse assume, must consult writers on 

 the subject, particularly the great work of 

 Ehrenberg. Some of the most beautiful sights 

 exhibited by the microscope, may be enjoyed 

 by those who make various infusions with 

 a view to observing these infusoria. Besides 

 those mentioned, cabbage-leaves, sage-leaves, 

 leaves of sea-kale, and other vegetables, make 

 excellent infusions teeming with life. Like 

 the sporules of fungi, their eggs are universally 

 diffused, and hatch in any suitable place. 



The forms of these infusoria are capable of 

 the greatest possible variety. Some of them 

 can hardly be said to have any well-defined 

 figure, but are composed of a kind of gela- 

 tinous substance, having no solid framework, 

 and so may be made to assume almost any 

 kind of outline. Others are enveloped in 

 shields or sheaths, which continue after the 

 animalculse themselves have long ceased to 

 exist, Ehrenberg, believing that they are 



