H6 -. NATURAL HISTORY MISCELLANY. 
MICROSCOPY. 
AM«OBOID MOVEMENTS IN EGGs.— Prof. E. Van Beneden, in some very 
“rao researches on the development of the eggs of the lower crus- 
tacea, states that there is no vitelline membrane in the egg as it lies in 
the ovary. He proves it, first, by the amceboid movements already known 
of other eggs, and which he has observed to be particularly active in 
these instances; secondly, by the very Nri: fact, of his own discov- 
ery, that the eggs at this Mods like the Infusoria, swallow, so to speak, 
globules of carmine. The same fact has been recorded with regard to 
the white blood vorpnsdtón iit other young cells.”—Schwann, in peer 
Opinion. 
THe MOLECULAR ORIGIN ‘OF Inrusorra.— The doctrine of Heterogeny, 
or spontaneous generation, seems to be slowly gaining adherents. Prof. 
e s declared in favor of it, and Dr. J. H. Bennett, the eminent 
petiole: of TORE perorare it in the KOPONI Science Review" 
n ate 
an hese mol u 
Burdach, and the proligerous pellicle of Pouchet. These molecules en- 
large, and may be seen here and there strongly adhering together in twos 
and fours, so as to form a little chain." They continue to unite until 
they form a short staff, or filament — bacterium. These bacteria become 
longer by uniting with others, and have a serpentine oven whereby 
hese bodi 
S begin to move wit ing motion, dependent upon a Lb e 
cilium attached " one it: th tremities — Mo s. Ina day or 
two er cilia are produced, the corpuscle enlarges, is nucleated, and 
swims through the fluid : ried forms y u 
molecular mass, dependent on the temperature, season of year, ex- 
sunlight, and nature of the infusion, all having independent 
movements. They have been denominated , Paramecia, Vorti- 
— Kolpo , Trachelius," ete., ete. 
da, Kerone, Glau 
ns that the Mioleeutar mass, instead of being transformed into ani- 
nudae. gives origin to minute fungi," such as Torula, Penicillium, et 
“In all these cases no kind of animalcule, or fungus, is ever seen tO - 
originate from preéxisting cells or larger _— but always from m 
cules,” 
‘That the infusoria originate and loped in the molecular pelli- | 

cle which floats on the surface of putrefying or fermenting liquid s, has - : 
been admitted by all who have gitur watched that pellicle uk the 


