Infusoria of the Island of Bombay. 251 



first step towards the performance of the mysterious function. 

 That is to say, the contents of the original cell undergo more 

 or less dividing into a greater or less number of parts for the 

 multiplication of individuals by each process. 



Now, when the original cell yields to the internal pressure 

 so caused, and its divided contents are thus liberated into the 

 water, they may, under abnormal or abortive circumstances, 

 continue for a longer or shorter time more or less grouped to- 

 gether before they ultimately separate, and in this state, col- 

 lectively or individually, assume forms so different from the 

 original cell that they have in many instances received dif- 

 ferent names for their different phases, as though they had 

 been distinct species. Uvella bodo appears to me to be one of 

 these. 



This extended nomenclature does not matter so long as the 

 names are known to apply to the parts of a species otherwise 

 indicated ; indeed they are as necessary as convenient. Hence 

 I do not hesitate to describe the following phase under the 

 name given to it by the illustrious microscopist of Berlin. 



Uvella bodo (Ehr. tab. 1. fig. 21, ' Infusionsthierchen '). — ■ 

 Conical, grouped in the form of grapes, green. Anterior ex- 

 tremity obtuse, provided with a bunch of many cilia, which 

 project forwards from the centre; posterior extremity acute ; 

 general surface presenting the pointed ends of the cells which 

 compose the mass. Cells sixteen in number, developed upon 

 a central or axial cavity, which is conical ; each cell pyriform, 

 of a deep-green colour, fixed by its obtuse end to the central 

 cavity, and having its pointed one free and floating backwards ; 

 monociliated, with red eye-spot ; contracting vesicle and con- 

 tents' of the body generally consisting of protoplasm charged 

 with chlorophyll, nucleus, and sundry granules. Size of the 

 largest group observed (viz. that figured) l-415th inch long by 

 1 -540th broad; individual cell l-900th inch long by 1-1 800th 

 broad (fig. 14). 



Hob. Island of Bombay, in shallow freshwater pools which 

 soon dry up after the cessation of the rainy monsoon, from 

 June to August inclusive ; in company with almost the whole 

 tribe of green filigerous Infusoria. Progression oscillatory, 

 with the large end of the group foremost. 



Obs. I have often seen Uvella bodo, and as often figured 

 and described it, in the months mentioned, always thinking 

 that, as Ehrenberg's figure did not by any means portray 

 sufficiently this beautiful organism, I would one day attempt 

 to supply the deficiency. The groups vary greatly in size ; 

 and the cilia sometimes float backwards between the caudal 

 extremities of the cells, as well as project in front of the group ; 



19* 



