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GENERAL SCIENCE 



Its method of reproduction is mostly by simple division. 

 As it absorbs food it increases in size until it reaches the 

 stage at which it divides into two equal parts, forming 

 two new amcebce. These two new amoebae eat and grow in 



THE WAY AN AMOEBA GETS ITS FOOD 



like manner as the parent until they reach maturity, when 

 they divide the same as the parent amoeba. After the 

 amoeba has divided from fifty to one hundred times, a 

 complex process takes place during which there is a re- 

 vitalization of the animal in order to increase its capacity 

 for reproduction by simple division. This complex 

 process is thought to be a sexual process. There are 

 several stages through which the amoeba passes, and it 

 is thought that in some of these stages it is able to live 

 as a parasite on higher animals, causing disease. The 



amoeba has no particular 

 value to man except that 

 it devours a great many 

 bacteria which may be 

 harmful. 



The second one-celled an- 

 imal which can easily be 

 found is the paramecium,. 

 It can be grown in what is known as a hay infusion. 

 Place a small handful of ordinary hay in a jar and 

 cover it with water. In a few days bacteria will cause 

 the hay to decompose, the water will change color, and 



PARAMECIA 



