272 FllOV. ALLMAN ON THE RECENT BESEAUCHES 



The substance of its body is diiferentiated into an outer cortical 

 layer of homogeneous hyaline sarcode and an ianer parenchyma 

 loaded with spherical vacuoles, which give it a vesicular or frothy 

 appearance. Its dark colour is due to foreign matter taken in as 

 nutriment ; and specimens from Rostock, since described by Fr. 

 Eil. Schulze*, were colourless. 



Besides the vacuoles there occur in the parenchyma a great 

 number of nucleus-like bodies, as well as of peculiar globular, 

 hyaline, and brilliant bodies, to which Greeff gives the name of 

 " Grianzkorper," and of minute rod-like structures. 



The nucleus-like bodies are very numerous, some hundreds 

 being visible in a single specimen of ordinary size. They enclose 

 hyaline contents with minute dark granules, which lie against 

 their walls. In some of them, instead of the minute granules, 

 several larger bodies like nucleoli make their appearance. These 

 increase in size, become excavated by a cavity, and hually occupy 

 the whole interior of the apparent nucleus, which now bursts and 

 sets them free into the surrounding parenchyma. G-reefF believes 

 that after becoming free they are transformed into the hyaline 

 homogeneous bodies {Glanzkorper). 



These last exist in great numbers, and give to Pelomi/xa a very 

 characteristic appearance. They are for the most part of a glo- 

 bular form, and consist of a firm glistening capsule with mostly 

 hyaline and homogeneous contents. They multiply by division 

 in the interior of the Pelomyxa. Sometimes the contends were 

 seen to have become retracted from the wall of the capsule and 

 to assume an amoeboid outline ; but Greeff was unable to follow 

 them through furtlier changes. 



He, however, records an observation which, if it be not referable 

 to a case of parasitism, would seem to throw light on the repro- 

 duction of Pelomyxa. While watching under the microscope an 

 old and apparently dead specimen of 'Pelomyxa, he saw suddenly 

 break forth from its surface a multitude of minute amoebiform 

 bodies, each with a nucleus and contractile vacuole. After ex- 

 hibiting for some time active amoeboid movements, they became 

 more sluggish, withdrew their pseudopodia, assumed the form of 

 spherical or pyriform bodies, and passed into a resting state. 

 From these a long vibratile filament was subsequently develojoed,. 

 and tlie Amoebas became thus changed into active swimming Fla- 

 gellates. Their further destiny Greeff did not succeed in disco- 

 * " Ehizopodenstudieii,'' Arch f. raitr. Auat. vol. xi. 



