THE ANNALS 



MAGAZINE OF NATURAL HISTORY, 



[THIED SERIES.] 

 No. 70. OCTOBER 1863. 



XXIV. — On the Presence of Chlorophyll-cells and Starch-granules 

 as Normal Parts of the Organism, and on the Reproductive 

 Process, in Difflugia pyriforrais^ Perty ; also on a Freshwater 

 Species o/Echinocystidia. By H. J. Carter, F.R.S. &c. 



For some time past I have been inclining to the view that, 

 although the Bhizopoda must be placed on the animal side of 

 organized beings, still they have very strong alliances with the 

 vegetable kingdom ; and this opinion has been confirmed by 

 what I have lately observed in Difflugia pyriformis, Perty (mihi), 

 wherein the body, apparently after conjugation similar to that 

 of the contents of the cells of Spirogyra, contracts itself into an 

 elliptical form, densely charged with chlorophyll-cells and stai'eh- 

 granules. I cannot now state confidently that the contents of 

 both tests, after amalgamation, finally become fixed in one only, 

 as in Spirogyra; nor, on the contrary, am I prepared to state 

 that they become divided between the two individuals, for rea- 

 sons which will be mentioned hereafter ; but this much may be 

 stated — that the number of chlorophyll-cells and starch-granules 

 greatly increases in the body of this Difft,ugia just previously to 

 subsequent changes, in which they seem to disappear altogether 

 (at all events, the former) and are replaced by a mass of colour- 

 less granuliferous cells which may be inferred to be the elements 

 of a new generation. 



Before, however, proceeding to that which I have to ofifer on 

 the subject, it is desirable to describe the species which is about 

 to come under our consideration; and this may stand as fol- 

 lows : — 



Difflugia pyriformis, Perty. 



Test ovate-elongate, closed and rounded posteriorly, open and 

 truncate, with even or undulating aperture, anteriorly ; composed 

 of hyaline gi-ains of quartz-sand, held together by a glutinous 



Ann. Ss Mag, N, Hist, Ser.3. Fb/.xii. 17 



