128 DESCRIPTION OF [Polygastrica. 



viduals of the Gonium pectorale hold to their tabular 

 clusters. Each sphere or globe is a hollow cluster, 

 if we may so term it, of many hundreds or even thousands 

 of these living occupants, and often contain within it other 

 hollow spheres, similar in nature to the containing one. 



The individuals are protected by a gelatinous lorica 

 or mantle (lacerna), of the form of a bell, which they 

 are empowered to leave when they are full grown. They 

 are connected with their neighbours by from three to six 

 filiform cords or tubes. The mouth is situated at the base 

 of the double proboscis, before mentioned, and indicated 

 by a bright spot. The eye, which is placed near the 

 mouth, implies the existence of a sensitive system. 



86. VOLVOX globator (M). The globe Volvooc The 

 creatures which form these clusters are extremely minute. 

 A cluster is of nearly a spherical form, and will often con- 

 tain within it younger clusters, of a green colour, and 

 smooth or even surface. When blue or red colouring 

 matter is mixed with the water, strong currents may be 

 observed under the microscope around each globe, which, 

 when in motion, always proceeds with the same part 

 foremost. 



Fig. 55 represents a large globe with eight smaller ones 

 (termed by Ehrenberg, sisters) within it ; each of them has a 

 bright spot, which is considered as an opening for the 

 admission of water into the interior. 



Fig. 56 represents a section or piece of a globe, mag- 

 nified 500 diameters ; it exhibits five single animalcules and 

 a small cluster of six young ones. They are attached to 

 the lorica, and connected together by five thread-like bands. 

 Each creature has a double proboscis and the red eye. 



