60 THE PSYCHIC LIFE 



We have now considered assemblages of organ- 

 isms which live joined together like the Gonium and 

 sometimes united by a material band like the Volvox, 

 where the individuals are grouped together under 

 one and the same cuticle. Voluntary and free combi- 

 nations are much more rarely met with; nevertheless 

 cases occur. There exist organisms which lead a life 

 of habitual isolation but which understand how to unite 

 for the purpose of attacking prey at the desired 

 time, thus profiting by the superiority which numbers 

 give. 



The Bodo caudatus is a voracious Flagellate pos- 

 sessed of extraordinary audacity; it combines in troops 

 to attack animalcula one hundred times as large as 

 itself, as the Colpods for instance, which are veritable 

 giants when placed alongside of the Bodo. Like a horse 

 attacked by a pack of wolves, the Colpod is soon ren- 

 dered powerless; twenty, thirty, forty Bodos throw 

 themselves upon him, eviscerate and devour him com- 

 pletely (Stein). 



All these facts are of primary importance and in- 

 terest, but it is plain that their interpretation presents 

 difficulties. It may be asked whether the Bodos com- 

 bine designedly in groups of ten or twenty, understand- 

 ing that they are more powerful when united than 

 when divided. But it is more probable that voluntary 

 combinations for purposes of attack do not take place 

 among these organisms; that would be to grant them 

 a high mental capacity. We may more readily admit 

 that the meeting of a number of Bodos happens by 

 chance; when one of them begins an attack upon a 

 Colpod, the other animalcula lurking in the vicinity 

 dash into tne combat to profit by a favorable opportu- 

 nity. 



