594 
THE INFUSORIA. 
The Order Radiolaria eml ^ ' 
crystals of snow-flakes. 
The Order Beticularia inciuaes -■ 
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rad’ n ted and resembling 
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Bulina , etc. One of the most notable of these is the Globigerina , a wonderiui iiciie nncro- 
scopic globe, from which radiate myriads of spine-like organs, giving the creature a resem- 
blance to some of the Echini . The celebrated t£ Globigerina ooze,” described by the naturalists 
of the ‘‘Challenger,” is made np of this little animal in innumerable numbers, forming vast 
beds of mud on the ocean bottom. 
The Class Infusoria includes certain more familiar forms called Vorticella and Stentor , 
etc. But the most notable is the Noctiluca , the largest of all, being visible to the naked eye. 
This is somewhat like a gooseberry in aspect. It is noted for its beautiful phosphorescence — 
the sea at times being wonderfully illuminated by myriads of it on the surface. It has been 
seen in this condition on the Coast of Maine and Massachusetts. 
Many species of these “ animalcules” exist, and many of their forms are as fantastic and 
beautiful as anything Nature produces. 
