442 Microscopical Essays. 



The mouth, or anterior part of each of thefe bodies, now opens 

 by degrees ; and in proportion as they open, the lips of the new 

 vorticella begin to difplay themfelves. The motion before -fpokert 

 of may then alfo be perceived. Indeed it is the beft time of ob- 

 ferving it ; it is at firft flow, but more rapid in proportion as the 

 mouth opens, when it is as fwift as that of the vorticella before it 

 began to divide, and we may now look upon it as completely 

 formed. A vorticella is generally about one hour in dividing 

 itfelf. 



The lower of the three drawings, Fig. 30, reprefents two vor- 

 ticellas joined by their pofterior extremity to one pedicle [ fooa 

 after the divihon, each vorticella begins, to {hew a pedicle ofT 

 it's own. 



Fig.. 30 reprefents a duller of eight vorticella; by this; 

 figure we may form fome idea in what manner the pedicles are 

 difpofed. as their number increafes ; there were at firft only two 

 at b, whofe branches lengthened to d, and then each of them was 

 divided into two, now forming four ; thefe again lengthened and 

 reached i, when they were again fubdiyided, as in the figure. 



The reader will join with M. Bonnet in admiring the group of 

 wonders afforded by a {ingle fpot of mouldinefs. What unfore- 

 feen, varied, and interefting fcenes are prefented within fo fmall.a- 

 compafs ! what a theatre is exhibited to a thinking mind ! But our 

 abode is fo reclufe, that we have but a glimmering view of it: 

 how great would our aftonifliment be, if the whole fpe&acle was 

 difclofed to us at once, and we w T ere enabled to penetrate into the 

 interior ftrufture of this wonderful aflemblage of living atoms ! 



4 Our 



