Marvels of the Universe 



POLYCYSTINS 



BY RICHARD KERR, F.G.S., F.R.A.S, 



An account of the " Marvels of the Universe " would be incomplete without illustrations and 

 descriptions of some representatives of the Polycystina. 



They are all marine creatures, and it is impossible to form any idea of their marvellous structure 



without the aid of a microscope. To the unassisted eye 

 they appear as fine as flour sprinkled on a glass slip ; but 

 under a strong magnifying power the beauty and delicate 

 tracery of these wonderful organisms is brought out in a 

 marked degree. They are always a fascinating study. All 

 students of microscopic forms of life are agreed in the 

 opinion that the elegant shells or skeletons of these 

 creatures are in the front line of beautiful and wonderful 

 structures. In fact, any microscopist taking for his 

 studies a wide range of nature would consider any collec- 

 tion of microscopic slides deficient if the Polycystins were 

 absent. 



Inasmuch as they belong to the Rhizopods, which form 

 one of the divisions of the Protozoa, they are classed among 

 the lowest forms of animal life. 



If the element of beauty could be included as one of the 

 conditions necessary in the classification of animals, the 

 Polycystins would occupy a much higher position in the list 

 of denizens of the oceans. But, so far as research shows, 

 they display very little of organic parts, their internal 

 economy is simple, and the functions of life are performed 

 under very elementary conditions. Therefore, they must remain in their humble position until 

 microscopists detect the possession of organs which will warrant their promotion. 



A nucleus is present, some yellowish bodies are present which may be green plants, and there is 

 a very small particle of oil which enables the organism to rise in the water. Some observers state 

 that there are also four nuclei corresponding with four lobes of the living protoplasm. 



The naturalists who e.xamined the living creatures as 

 they were taken up from the ocean saw them in their 

 gorgeous colours of crimson, olive, purple, and other tints 

 which baffle description. The varied forms of the skeletons 

 of the Polycystins amount to several hundreds. There 

 appears to be no limit to the varieties of design in these 

 specks of flint. 



They appear to be more numerous than their partners in 

 microscopic marine life — the Foraminifera ; also, they excel 

 them in the beauty and complexity of their shells or 

 skeletons ; and this is saying a great deal, for the Fora- 

 minifera are noted for their attractive and varied forms. 



The Polycystina differ greatly from the Foraminifera in 

 the fact that the skeletons of the former are of pure flint 

 and of cr3?stalline transparence, solid, each skeleton invari- 

 ably composed of one continuous, unbroken piece, perfectly 



This Polycystin migKt be used as 

 for a brazier. 



This form of Polycystin migfit be suggestive to 

 the designer of golf-balls. 



