Ophrydina.} TH E INFUSORIA. 273 



FAMILY XIV. OPHRYDINA 



Comprehends loricated polygastric animalcules, solitary 

 or aggregate, possessing a distinct alimentary canal, a 

 separate mouth and discharging orifice, which approximate 

 and terminate in the same cavity. In organization it re- 

 sembles the family Vorticella; in fact, says Ehrenberg, they 

 are true Vorticella or Stentores inclosed in a gelatinous or 

 membranous combustible little box (shell). The loco- 

 motive apparatus consists of a frontal wreath of cilii ; the 

 genus Ophrydium has a second wreath placed posteriorly, 

 and Tintinnus an elastic muscular stalk or tail. Although 

 the polygastric organs of nutrition can be demonstrated in 

 all the tribe by using coloured food, only in Ophrydium 

 has an alimentary canal been distinctly seen by Ehrenberg. 

 In Vaginicola and Cothurnia longitudinal division of the 

 body without the lorica has been observed. In Ophrydium 

 transverse division without the lorica is known. 



The genera are disposed as follows : 



Forming Monad clusters, though incomplete self-division of the lorica Ophrydium. 



("body furnished with an elastic pedicle attached 1 

 to lorica J 



3, no / 



Tintinnus. 



Single anamalcules, 



self-division of the lorica \ florica stalkless Vaginicola. 



body stalkless J 



Uorica stalked Cothurnia. 



Genus XCV. OPHRYDIUM. The gelatinous little bell 

 Animalcules are characterized by their possessing a gela- 

 tinous lorica, and are clustered (resembling gelatinous balls), 

 in consequence of perfect self-division of the body, but im- 

 perfect of the lorica. This division gives rise to very 

 peculiar external appearances, for each body very frequently 



