444 EVENINGS AT THE SIICKOSCOPE. 



CHAPTER XXT. 



INF0SOEIA. 



Revenoss a nos moutons. "We will resume our ex- 

 amination of the drop of pond-water, and the fragments 

 of Myriojahyllum, which have been waiting for us in the 

 live-box. 



Our attention then shall first be given to some ele- 

 gant creaturek of a brilliant translucent green hue, 

 which are gracefully gliding about. They are of the 

 genus Euglena, so called because each is furnished 

 with a very conspicuous spot of a clear red hue, situated 

 near the head, which Ehrenberg, on account of its re- 

 semblance to the lowest forms of eyes in the Motifera, 

 that are somewhat similar in colour and appearance, 

 pronounced to be an oi'gan of vision. More recent 

 physiologists, however, doubt the correctness of the con- 

 clusion. 



The animals are of several kinds. The most nu- 

 merous is an active little thing of about 2 joth of an inch 

 in length when extended, though from its extreme ver- 

 satility it is as difficult to assign to it a definite size, as 

 a definite shape. It seems to be the K sanguinea, so 

 called because it is said to occur sometimes of a deep 

 red hue, and in such vast profusion, as to give the 

 waters the appearance of blood. I have never seen it 

 however, other than as it now appears, rich emerald 

 green in the body, with the two extremities perfectly 



