418 
ON THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS OF Infusoria. 
others,though the former has been taken for it; its smaller size and recumbent habit 
at once distinguish it from E. Hyemale, except in the state found by Mr. Wilson 
in Ireland, respecting which he states, that when he gathered it, its appearance 
was so remarkable that he thought it might be specifically distinguished, and 
that it was not until a close and careful examination had proved the contrary, 
that he abandoned the idea: the stem of it is rounder, smoother, about 10-angled, 
the teeth not so much, or rather so constantly, acuminated; plant erect, 3—4 feet 
high * in water. 
Bewsey House , Warrington , 
March 15, 1839. 
REMARKS UPON THE DIGESTIVE APPARATUS OF THE 
INFUSORIA . 
From Muller’s Archiv fur Anatomie, Physiologie , und Wissenschaftliche Medicin. 
By Professor Meyen. 
(Communicated by Edwin Lankester , M.R.C+S.J 
It is well known to naturalists that in the year 1781 Von Gleichen fed 
some Infusoria on carmine, and on the following day he observed that this 
appeared in the form of a number of red globules inside their bodies ; from 
which circumstance he came to the conclusion, that the animalcules had swallowed 
the colouring matter. He also observed that the coloured matter was again 
rejected through special openings. Gleichen represented these little ingested 
red globules very regularly, and placed each inside an especial circle, without 
expressing himself as to their nature. More recently Professor Ehrenberg has 
prosecuted these inquiries, and comes to the conclusion, that the proper Infusoria 
possess a greater or less number of stomachs, which in one group are without 
intestines, but in the remainder are brought into union with each other by means 
of especial intestinal tubes; and sometimes they exhibit lateral pendulous blind 
intestines. In consequence of these discoveries, the Infusoria have received the 
name of Polygastrica. Ehrenberg believes himself to have observed, that these 
stomachs are filled successively, and he has drawn a number of intestinal canals, 
more or less perfectly, which are said to be situated between the circular stomachs 
and unite them together. 
The accuracy of these views of Professor Ehrenberg has already been questioned 
by several observers. I have myself never participated in them, for these 
reasons:—First, I have not been able to discover the intestinal tubes or columns 
