266 EVENINGS AT THE MICROSCOPE 



more, the manner in which, it depresses the lip -like lobe 

 of the rotatory organ on one side, when the prey is in 

 the vortex on that side, and the eager haste with which 

 it shrinks down into its shell the instant the little mul- 

 berry drops at length into the throat. 



But now comes the tug of war; the black, millstone- 

 like jaws open wide and stretch forward to grasp the lit- 

 tle victim (which is still distinctly visible through the 

 transparent tissues): they touch the globular envelope, 

 but cannot quite grasp it. The Brachion redoubles its 

 efforts; the jaws gape vigorously, but can only scrape the 

 sides of the little globe, which at every touch slips away, 

 the expanse of the jaws being not quite sufficient to em- 

 brace it. 



At last the little animal becomes indignant; the jaws 

 no more endeavor to grasp, but with a very distinct and 

 sudden upward jerk throw out the prey; which until now 

 has been retained and pressed downward by the contrac- 

 tion of the sides of the sensitive throat. Strange to see, 

 the little Syncrypta, after all its imprisonment and rough 

 handling, is no sooner free than it whirls merrily away, 

 revolving as it pursues its even ciliary course, just as if 

 no interruption of its freedom had occurred. 



Meanwhile, however, better success attends the Brach- 

 ion 's hunting; for a smaller globe has sunk into the 

 throat, and passes with a gulp into the mouth, between 

 the gaping jaws, which instantly close upon it, and, work- 

 ing vigorously, bruise it down with a hammer-like action 

 upon a sort of central table. After this process has gone 

 on for a few minutes the green mass, less perfectly de- 

 fined than before, slips through a narrow postern-gate, 

 along a short narrow alley, into the digesting stomach. 



