CLASS RHIZOPODA. 



be compared to little roots. Hence the name of the entire 

 class Rhizopoda (Greek, rliiza, a root • j^odes, feet). 



Fig I. —A, Amoehoi developed in fluids containing organic matter, very 

 greatly magnified (after Beale). B, Amoeba princeps (after Carter), 

 highly magiiitied : c Rudimentary circulatory organ or heart ; e Outer, 

 transparent layer of the body. 



These root-like processes can not only be thrust out at 

 any part of the surface of the body, but they can also be 

 withdrawn at will, leaving no traces of their former exist- 

 ence. By means of these, as by temporary feet, the 

 animal creeps about slowly, and by means of these it also 

 obtains its food. Thus, the Amoelxt possesses no mouth, 

 but whenever it comes across any substance or small 

 animal that is eatable, it wraps one of these temporary 

 processes round it, and gradually withdrawing the hand 

 thus extemporised, lodges its capture within the soft 

 substance of its body. Instead, therefore, of possessing 

 a single permanent mouth, the Amceha can make a mouth 

 for itself at any point of the surface of the body, and its 

 process of feeding has been appropriately compared to 

 thrusting a stone into a lump of dough. 



As before remarked, the substance of the body in the 

 AriKxha is entirely soft and gelatinous. It exhibits little 

 that can be called "structure," except that the outer layer 

 of the body is more transparent than the central portion. 



