Marvels of the Universe 



229 



PholobsJ [J. irtiZ. 



THE LITTLE BRICKMAKER. 



TTiia remarlvable creature not merely builds the 

 tower in which it shelters, but also the bricks of 

 which it is constructed. The size of the bricks may 

 be estimated by the fact that the tower is about 

 one-thirtieth of an inch in height. 



material of the bod}'. A somewhat 

 similar form is the Crystal Crest-bearer 

 shown on page 230. 



In the coloured plate that shows a 

 large number of these microscopic marvels 

 there is a figure of the Bell-animalcule, 

 which has the form of a wine-glass with 

 a very long stalk which constantly coils 

 into a spiral and then straightens itself 

 again. The rim of the glass or the bell, 

 whichever we choose to regard it as most 

 like, is fringed with pellucid lashes that 

 rise and fall rhythmically and create the 

 illusion that the bell is whirling around. 

 The movement creates a vortex, as in the 

 case of the Little Brickmaker, carrying 

 food particles to the creature's mouth. 

 Many variations of this form of obtaining 

 a livelihood are to be found among these 

 pond marvels. A group of them, known 

 as Green Trumpets, are shown on this 

 page. Here it will be seen there is a 

 modification of form, by the bell-shaped 

 end being tapered gradually to the base, 

 so that the whole becomes trumpet- 

 shaped instead of wine-glass shaped. 



of sun rays. It multiplies by a contraction across the 

 centre of the sphere, and eventually cuts itself into 

 two, and so two individuals are produced in place of one. 

 Upon the submerged roots of trees surrounding 

 our pond and on the stems of aquatic weeds may be 

 seen a mass of a jelly-like substance, which is a colony 

 of animals of a higher order than those already 

 mentioned, and known as the Creeping Plumes. When 

 the piece of jelly is undisturbed we shall see cautiously 

 projected from it numerous feelers arranged in horse- 

 shoe form around the head of the animal, and together 

 forming a most beautiful plume. Each of the feelers 

 is fringed with fine lashes, which vibrate in rotation 

 up one side of the feeler and down the other, so that 

 they appear to be travelling along. The internal 

 arrangement is well seen through the transparent 



Pholo i/»] lA. Leal. 



THE GREEN TRUMPETS. 



Each of these brilliant Green Trumpets measures about one twenty- 

 fifth of an inch. They may be found under the leaves of Duckweed. 

 They constantly change their shape from a round knob to a trumpet and 

 back again. They increase in numbers by throwing out buds like plants. 



