118 
A New Infusorium. 
rMonthiy Microscopical 
L Journal, Feb. 1, 1869. 
Transverse fission within the sheath has been repeatedly observed 
— both animals on its completion passing out in quick succession. 
Length of extended animal, about -^^-^ ; of free animal, -^-^ ; 
and of sheath, -^1^ of an inch. 
Two questions offer themselves for consideration. 1st, Is the 
animal normally a free swimmer, as the generally ciliated surface 
and its transverse fission would lead one to surmise — the invagi- 
nated condition being merely a temporary, seasonal, or winter one ? 
And 2ndly, Is an alternation from the free to the fixed states, and 
vice versa, of frequent occurrence in the life of the animal, deter- 
minable by the ever- varying conditions of temperature, light, and 
food supplies ? 
To one or other of these inquiries I shall hope at some future 
time to make a satisfactory reply, should I succeed in keeping these 
creatures under observation for a sufiicient length of time. 
Under the impression that the Infusorium now described and 
figured is generically new to science, I venture to propose for it the 
name of Vasicola ciliata. 
