INFUSORIA. 



21 



On the surface of stagnant ponds may often be seen, 

 especially in spring, a stratum of what looks like a bright 

 green powder. If a small quantity of this be taken up 

 and examined, many curious and beautiful forms will be 

 discovered. A large portion of the substance will pro- 

 bably consist of different species of the genus Eugkna — little 

 active creatures, somewhat resembling fishes in shape, of 

 a rich green hue, with a large red eye. Among them we 

 may find what is sometimes called the High-priest's 

 Breastplate (Gonium pectorale), consisting of sixteen oval 

 green masses, disposed regularly in a transparent shell of 

 square form, like emeralds set in a plate of the purest 

 glass. Another brilliant casket of gems is the Pandor.ina 

 morum (Plate I. fig. 2), a species which- we have taken in 

 the neighbourhood of London. It is a crystal globe en- 

 closing about thirty globose animals of a rich green hue, 

 from each of which proceeds a long, whip-like proboscis, 

 about as long as the radius of the globe. By means of 

 these filaments it proceeds rather quickly, rolling over in an 

 irregular manner as it goes. Its appearance is very rich 

 and beautiful, particularly when the light is transmitted, 

 as it sometimes is, through the interstices of the animal- 

 cules, and gleams through their dark-green bodies. The 

 newly-invented paper-weights, consisting of balls of solid 

 glass, in which are imbedded some beautiful coloured 

 objects, will give an idea of this creature. 



Many kinds are interesting from the close resemblance 

 in form which they display to other well-known objects, 

 animate or inanimate. The Volvox (fig. 3) rolls majesti- 

 cally through the water, revolving regularly on its axis 

 like an artificial globe ; and as it is of greatly superior 



