450 A NEW ENTOZOON FROM THE EEL. 
was the thickest part, was about one-eighth of the entire length. 
That it was an individual organism I had not the least suspicion. 
It was solely its white color, in such direct contrast with the dark 
adipose tissue, in which it was contained, that excited my curi- 
Fig. 117. _ osity. On this account it occurred to 
we -me that the microscope might reveal 
some difference in structure. Having 
put it under a lens of very moderate 
power, I was surprised to see a vermic- 
ular object, with the thick end trun- 
cated. Nowa deep regret seized me; 
for I supposed that in the dissection 
of the eel, the most important part of 
this interesting specimen had been u- 
Anterior portion of Echinorhyn- Wivtingly cut off, The appearance thus 
cus, gigas, showing the prolete presented in the microscope is shown 
arena in Fig. 120, where it looks like a worm 
with its anterior end excised. Thus regarding the object as Tk 
ined by an untoward accident, I was about to cast it aside, when 
lo! to my glad astonishment, the creature began a singular movè- 
ment at the supposed decapitated end. 
Astonishment is not the word—it was in , 
amazement that I gazed upon that strange $ 
movement. Such a sight could never be iss 
forgotten. Who does not remember the S 
childlike delight at seeing for the first 
time a juggler draw the almost intermin- 
able cornucopia out of his mouth, until the 
mountebank’s head looked like that of the 
fabled Unicorn? But. that was only a 
smooth paper cone, after all; and the trick 
of it’ every schoolboy well understands. 
Not so with this feat of my puny capitve, 
at whom I had the lone.privilege of gazing 
through this wonder-peering instrument. 
Like the sheriff, who was obliged on ac- 
count of his pleasant bearing, to respect the unwele 
whom he had just ejected ; so I must confess that this un 
D l. @, seles. 
tractile mu 
compelled my admiration, by a singular grace 
al. 
protractile aa (From OWEN 
ome tenant > 
occupant whom I had ousted from its strange dyelling-pla® ond : 
fulness of PPT 
