except a very obscure contraction on being irritated 
by any external object. 
Notwithstanding this habitual torpidity, it is, 
apparently, of a predacious nature, and sometimes 
seizes on and swallows the smaller Monoculi, and 
especially that very small species the Monoculus 
Pediculus of Linnaeus, which is occasionally found 
in its body. It is probable however that this infect 
remains a long time uninjured by the digestive 
powers of the animalcule; since, on opening a Tri- 
choda which has thus confined a Monoculus for 
many hours, the insect appears unhurt, and, when 
liberated, swims about with the lame celerity as 
before its imprisonment. ' 
If the Trichoda Sol be divided, or rather torn 
into several fragments by the point of a needle or 
other instrument, the several pieces, tlio’ at first of 
a very irregular form, will in the fpace of an hour 
or two affume the complete spherical figure of the 
animal before its division; the rays or spines ap- 
pearing in their true proportion and situation ; thus 
constituting so many distinct animalcules. This 
experiment seems to be very little influenced by the 
weather, since in the coldest part of winter it will 
be found to fucceed nearly as well as in the warmer 
months. 
The general size of this curious animalcule is that 
of a pin’s head, and its usual residence is in the 
clearer kind of stagnant waters, where it common¬ 
ly attaches itfelf to the stem or fibres of fome ot the 
smaller aquatic plants. Its color is a semitranspa¬ 
rent pearly white. It appears to have been first de¬ 
scribed 
