LECTURE XIL 
219 
immediately perceived. From a single stem pro-* 
ceed, at various distances^ several smaller ramifica- 
tions, each terminated by an apparent flower, like 
that of a Convolvulus, and furnished on the op- 
posite edges, with a pair of filaments resembling 
stamina. The whole is in the highest degree 
transparent, alid perfectly resembles the finest 
glass j while the varying motions of the seeming 
flowers, expanding and contracting occasionally, 
and turning themselves in different directions, 
afford a scene so singularly curious as to be num- 
bered among the finest spectacles which the Mi- 
croscope is capable of exhibiting. Each animal, 
though seated on the common stem, is complete 
in itself, and possesses the power of detaching 
itself from the stem, and forming a fresh colony 
from itself. 
To the genus Vorticella also belongs the cele- 
brated Animalcule called the Wheel- Animal, from 
the appearance which the head in some particular 
positions exhibits; as if furnished with a pair of 
toothed wheels, in rapid motion: this animalcule, 
which is called Vorticella rotatoria long ago been 
pretty well described and figured by Baker in his 
work on the Microscope: it is of a lengthened shape, 
and of a pale brown colour, and is of such a size 
