478 Microscopical Essays. 



A very fmgular animalculum, appearing only as a grey 

 mucous mafs ; it is filled with a number of black globules, of 

 different fizes, and is continually changing it's figure, Being 

 formed of a gelatinous pellucid fubflance, the fhape is ealily 

 altered, and it puflies out branches of different lengths and 

 breadths. The globules which are within divide and pafs imme- 

 diately into the new-formed parts, always following the various 

 changes of form in the animalcula. The changes that are ob- 

 ferved in the form of this little creature, do not arife from any 

 extraneous caufe, but are entirely dependent on it's internal 

 powers. 



It is to be met with but very feldom ; the indefatigable Muller 

 only faw it twice, although he examined fuch an immenfe variety 

 of infu lions. 



It is to be found in fenny fituations. 



12. Proteus Tenax. 



Proteus in fpiculum diffluens, Fig. 4 and 5, Plate XXV. 

 "Proteus, running out into a fine point. 



A gelatinous pellucid body, ftored with black molecules ; it 

 changes it's form like the preceding, but always in a regular order, 

 firft extending itfelf out in a {trait line, the lower part terminating 

 m an a cute bright point, without any interlines, and the globules 

 being all collected in the upper part, it next draws the pointed 

 tend up towards the middle of the body, fwelling it into a round 

 rform. The contraction goes on for fome time, after which the 



lower 



