124 DESCRIPTION OF [Polygastrica. 



seen, and a simple filiform vibratory proboscis, situated 

 at the mouth, as its organ of locomotion, &c. Self- 

 division is also undergone by the individuals simply and 

 equally, whilst retaining their clustered position. These 

 little creatures are endowed with the power of periodically 

 casting off their globular lorica or mantle (lacerna) which 

 envelopes the cluster, and exuding a new one, like certain 

 animals of the class Annelides. To observe the eye a 

 power of 300 diameters must be skilfully employed. 



83. EUDORINA elegans. The elegant Eudorina. 

 Body composed of green corpuscles, of a globular shape, 

 never protruding out of their cells from the common 

 envelope. Eye sparkling red. The clusters, which are of 

 an oval or globular form, contain generally from 30 to 50 

 individuals, and never less than 15. Motion rotating. 

 Figure 47 is a cluster magnified ; it exhibits the proboscides 

 extended, and the bodies of the animalcules within the 

 lorica. Clusters of these beautiful animalcules are often 

 seen in such amazing numbers, along with the Volvox 

 globator and Chlamidomonas pulvisculus, as to render the 

 water (otherwise colourless) of a decided green colour, 

 especially towards its edges. They are exceedingly delicate, 

 so much so, that it is difficult to preserve them alive for 

 more than a day or two : whenever it is attempted to retain 

 them in large quantities, the second day will generally 

 exhibit a thick mass of dead ones at the bottom of the 

 vessels. When a few only remain alive, if the water be 

 poured away, and the creatures removed into a vessel 

 of clear water, they will live for weeks. Found at Hackney 

 and Harnpstead ; most abundant in the spring of the year. 

 Diameter of cluster 1-1 80th, 



Genus XXIII. CHLAMIDOMONAS. The cuiras Monad 



