RHfzOPODS. 



117 



Body irregular in shape; pseudopodia usually few, 

 short, thick, and directed forward; posterior por- 

 tion of the body with a villous or velvet-like 

 patch of very short, colorless pseudopodia. A. 

 villdsa. 



2. VamPYR£lLA LATERfxiA (Fig. 93). 



A red or orange-colored, Amoeba-like creature with 

 this name is not uncommonly found in early spring 

 among thick growths of Spirogyra, for which it has a 

 special fondness. It does 

 not quickly nor frequently 

 change its shape, yet its 

 movements are somewhat 

 rapid. Its pseudopodia 'are 

 colorless and transparent, 

 being formed by a short out- 

 ward flow of the colorless 

 internal body -substance, 

 the red color being con- 

 fined chiefly to the super- 

 ficial regions. It has in ad- 

 dition short, fine rays like threads, and many pin- 

 like projections, by which, in connection with its color, 

 Vampyrella may be easily recognized. These pin-like 

 rays consist of a short, fine stem with a little bulbous 

 enlargement on the end, so that each looks much like 

 a pin with a big head. These may appear on all parts 

 of the body; but usually they are on the posterior end 

 only when the animal is moving. They often appear 

 suddenly, and as quickly vanish. 



Vampyrella's favorite food seems to be the cell-con- 

 tents of Spirogyra. It selects a fresh and healthy 



Fig. 93. — Vampyrella lateritia 



