ON THE MOLECULAH OEIGIN OF INFUSORIA. 
55 
may now occur in the molecular mass, dependent on the tem- 
perature, season of the year, exposure to sun-light, and nature 
of the infusion, all having independent movements. They have 
been denominated Amcebce., Paramecia, VortiGellce, Kolpoda, 
Keronce, Glaucoma, Trachelius, etc., etc."* 
Pouchet describes the Paramecium as originating in the pro- 
ligerous pellicle, formed by the breaking down of the primary 
bacteria and vibriones. It is the secondary histolytic mass of 
molecules which arrange themselves as seen in fig. 5. 
Fig. 0 . 
Formation of Ova in the 'proligcrous Membrane. 
a. Coalescence of molecules, h, The same more advanced, c, Still larger mass. 
d, The same assuming a rounded form, e, A membrane formed externally, f 
Complete differentiation of the now perfect ovum from the surrounding molecular 
mass, g, A nucleus apparent. — Fouchet. 250 diameters. 
It would occupy too much time to follow the development of 
all the forms that may arise. They always originate long after 
the primary vibrios are produced, in the secondary, tertiary, or 
even later molecular masses, resulting from the disintegration 
of previous forms. 
It frequently happens that soon after some of these higher 
infusoria are seen, that the pellicle falls to the bottom of the 
fluid, where it constitutes a dense precipitate, and slowly breaks 
down ; then another scum forms on the surface, and molecules, 
bacteria, and vibrios are again produced. 
The varied forms produced are spoken of by Ehrenberg and 
other naturalists as being different species but I think it will 
t Ibid. 
See Ehrenberg’s “Infusoria.’’ 
