142 DESCRIPTION OF [Polygastrica. 



FAMILY V. CLOSTERINA. 



The animalcules of this family are polygastric, or to all 

 appearances so, and destitute of an alimentary canal. 

 Their bodies are unvarying in form, and without any 

 appendages. Like the Cryptomonadina, they are enclosed 

 within loricated envelopes, which, simultaneously with their 

 bodies, undergo incomplete self-division, so as to form 

 polypi-shaped clusters, of a wand, thread, or fusiform figure. 

 Each individual is furnished with a papilla, or sort of 

 nipple, which protrudes, but very slightly, through an 

 aperture in the shell, and serves as an organ of loco- 

 motion. 



The envelope, or lorica, investing these creatures, is of the 

 form of a little pitcher (urceolus), and either of a yellowish 

 colour, or colourless. In many of the species it is open 

 at both ends. The animalcule itself is a very delicate 

 mucous body, clear as crystal, and often contains within 

 it vesicles and green granules, which latter are most 

 probably ova. The locomotive organs appear to be very 

 short, slender, and conical-shaped papillae or nipples, of 

 a transparent hue, placed just within the opening of the 

 lorica, and but very slightly protruding from it. The 

 small vesicles observable among the green ova are, in all 

 probability, belonging to the polygastric apparatus. Groups 

 63 to 67 illustrate this family. 



As several eminent botanists have considered the various 

 species included in this family, and the family Bacillaria, 

 as belonging to the vegetable and not to the animal 



