Marvels of the Universe 675 
contraction of the delicate covering as the elastic threads are relaxed. In other groups there are 
other organs which perform similar duties and which will be noticed presently. 
Nearly all the Radiolaria are capable of emitting a phosphorescent glow. The luminosity 
presents the same phenomena as that of other marine organisms that are luminous. The light 
is sometimes greenish, sometimes yellowish, and appears generally to radiate from central fatty 
spheres. These tiny spheres also unite several functions, inasmuch as they serve, firstly, as reserve 
stores of nutriment ; secondly, as hydrostatic apparatus for lowering and raising the creature , 
and thirdly, as luminous organs for the protection of the creatures. The radiating feelers are also 
a protecting arrangement. They also act as sensory organs for apprehending food particles. 
By far the most important and most varied means for the protection of the soft body is to be 
seen in the endless modi- 
fication of the skeleton. 
This being so, we have 
one answer supplied to our 
query as to the usefulness 
of the complicated skeleton. 
The Radiolaria have 
power of movement in a 
limited degree, but, accord- 
ing to Haeckel, we are at 
present equally ignorant 
whether all the movements 
are simply the direct con- 
sequences of irritation, or 
whether they are in part 
truly spontaneous. This 
movement, as I understand 
it, does not include the 
descending and ascending 
movements already de- 
scribed. 
Radiolarian ooze from 
the Pacific Ocean was first 
obtained in 1859, by Lieu- 
tenant Brooke, between the 
Philippine and Marianne 
Islands, from a depth of 
three and a half miles. 
Ehrenberg who first ex- 
amined and described it. 
found seventy-nine differ- 
ent species in it and re- 
ported “that the quantity 
and number of different 
forms increased with the 
depth.” The Pacific Ocean 
seems to be the ocean A RADIOLARIAN. 
which is richest in quantity The ‘ Wicker-turban”’ is a good name for this beautiful specimen. The body has 
4 A : been removed. The diameter of this and the Vase-shaped Radiolarian is about the two- 
and quality of Radiolarian .. hundredth"of an inch. 
48 
