THE LOWEST FORMS OF LIFE. 
149 
“The bell-flower animalcule, or Yorticella, as it is called by 
microscopists, belongs to a group of animalcules, termed ‘ Infu- 
soria/ in consequence of their being sometimes found in 
infusions of decaying animal and vegetable substances. 
“ To the investigation of this group of animals, Ehrenberg, 
an eminent Prussian microscopist, has devoted a consider- 
able portion of his lifetime, and although his observations 
upon their structure have been shown to be incorrect, yet 
it is to him that we owe our knowledge of the existence of 
vast numbers of these forms of life. I shall not perplex you by 
recording the errors into which Ehrenberg has fallen, but will 
now endeavour to communicate to you, as popularly as possible, 
the authentic details that I have been able to collect by reading 
and observation, concerning the natural history of the bell- 
flower animalcule. 
“ Whilst I am describing its movements and habits, however, 
it would be as well for you to have one of the living animalcules 
under your eye, and I will therefore try to find one for your 
inspection.* 
“ Yorticella consists, as you perceive, of two parts, of which 
the one may be familiarly called the cup, and the other the foot- 
stalk, or as they are termed by naturalists the ‘ calyx ’ and 
‘ pedicle/ and certainly of all living forms none so closely 
resembles a flower in shape as does this one. 
“ The calyx is formed after the model of. a cup, or vase, but it 
has a contractile power (as has also the pedicle), and frequently 
it assumes a globular form. 
“ The pedicle is a long contractile appendage to the cup, and 
it derives its power of coiling and uncoiling itself from the 
delicate filament, which you may trace through its whole length.” 
(PI. viii., fig. 3 a.) 
and then drawing after it, or rather into it, the remainder of its body, Amoeba 
slowly advances in a somewhat irregular manner. . . . Should the Amoeba, 
in its progress through the water, come in contact with any foreign substance 
of small size, the latter is tenaciously grasped by the pseudopodia which 
coalesce around it, and thus the morsel soon becomes inclosed in the interior 
of the body. 
“ There is no true oral orifice (mouth), and the mode in which deglutition 
is performed by the Amoeba may not inaptly be illustrated by forcing a stone 
into a lump of clay, or similar plastic material. The power of selection 
possessed by the Amoeba would appear to be but slight, either as to the quan- 
tity or quality of its food. Inorganic particles, such as sand, are frequently 
ingested along with its more proper aliment. Sometimes the body of the 
Amoeba appears as a mere transparent film, investing the substance swal- 
lowed ; and it occasionally happens that it becomes impaled on the sharp 
point of some projecting object. The indigestible remains of the food are 
finally pushed out through some part of the gelatinous body.” — (pp. 3-5.) 
* The reader would do well to refer to plate vii., whilst following this 
description, unless lie can obtain a living specimen. They are found in 
infusions of hay, also attached to duckweed in ponds, and in other localities. 
