Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-03-11
THE MICROSCOPE AND ITS
REVELATIONS.
From tho Westminster Review.
INFUsoRIA-THE ROTAToRIA.

WE turn now to the next class, according
to the arrangement of Gutenberg, the Ro-
TAToRIA, the whole of which tribe of beings
possess an organization far more complete
than that of the Polygastria; so complete,
indeed, that, in IA correct arrangement of
the animal kingdom, they would take up a
station far above many others, the indiyidu-
ais of which are of much larger magnitude
As we have already said, the term by which
the class is distinguished has been given on
account of the appearance assumed by the
zones, or rows of ella arranged on circular
or scm-clrcular eminences around the up
per part of the body: when rapidly vibrat-
ing, their motion so closely resembles that
produced by the rotation of a wheel, that
every one who observes the phenomenon is
struck by the simlitude. In some species
these ella arc in single series; in others,
in several rows of different forms and in
one genus (Stephanoceros) they assume the
character of ciliated tcntacula rather than
that Of simple vibrating processes. The ro-
tatoria mostly inhabited water but INNER
sion in that element does not appear to be
essential to their existence. They often re-
side in damp or moist earth and the Roti-
fer vulparis, and some other species, are
known to inhabit the cells of moses and al
gaze. With regard to their geographical
distribution, they do not appear to be con-
fined to any particular part of Europe, and
they have been found in the north of Afri-
ca, the north and west of Asia and in some
parts of America.
With regard to their structure and organ
ization, the observations of microscopes
have given us more decided information than
concerning those of the Polygastria We
have in this class complete proof of the de-
vclopment of distinct muscles subservlent to
the functions of locomotion, nutrition, &c,
and the transparency of the integument, or
case. enables the observer to render, by aid
of the microscope, their structure and stu
alton distinctly visible. Many species pos
sess foot-like non-artlculated process stu
ated at the yentral surface of the posterlor
part of the body. This pedicle has usually
the faculty of being able to slide one part
within another, and presents to the observer
the same effect as the moving OF the sliding
tubes of an opera-glass or telescope he
extremity is often formed with IA sucker at
its termination. so that the animal, by eX-
hausting the cavity of air, can fix its body
during the rapid motions of the ella and
without this power of attachment the upper
part of the body would be drawn in by the
action of these organs. The pedicleis like
wise employed as an instrument of progress
sion, the animal alternately contracting and
elongating it, and fixing itself by it and the
mouth. The digestive canal is tube more
or less straight, sometimes expanded III the
middle. There is also a chewing appara-
tus, situate at the commencement OF the
esophagus, surrounded by muscular masses
and armed with teeth, which, by pressure,
may be detached from the animal and exam
ined separately under the microscope The
number and arrangement ofthe teeth in the
different species are so distinct, that Ehren'
berg asserts that the Rotifera might almost
be arranged like quadrupeds, according to
their teeth. In some genera the stomach Is
furnished with hillary glands, while in 9th
ers gall-ducts have been observed. With re-
gard to the vascular system in the Rotatori'
al Infusoria, much doubt still exists on the
subject. In some of the animalcules, trans
verse vessels are observed, which nave the
appearance of articulations; IN others, these
vessels resemble network, which is more
or less distinct, below the edges of the mouth
and connected by free longitudinal ones t'
the interior venual surface of the body. Re