The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-12
TILE MICROSCOPE.
Written for the Journal 10y Fellow OF the Royal
microscopic Society.
NO. RI.

any OUn6r lnSIfuIn6uh w ltil IL We NS'9A
study vital phenomena in their least complex
forms, under conditions leading us, 1t would
seem, to the utmost limits of the kno"aole'
though this is far from certain. Great numbers
of the lower forms of life, plants and animals
are so exceedingly delicate thin and transparent
that with proper magnifying powers we are aoie
to see through and through every part OF them'
and to observe their true inwardness, such as
their internal motion and activities, where they
have SUCH unless it be molecular motions which
are only assumed to exist, but have never been
SEEN.
1t is wonderful how small an animal or plant |
may be- and yet be perfect and have complete
individuality of its own, with all powers needeu
for motion, nutrition growth and multiplication |
Many of the fungi, which produce the various
kinds of putrefaction, fermentation, decay anu
disease do not exceed the l-3O, 600 OF an men IN
diameter, and some of them are even much
smaller than this Some of the infusorlal AMI
mails ore equally small None but the expert
nicrose opist, having the very best lenses and
appf ances will be able to observe and study
these with success; but, to those who have the
skill and the necessary apparatus, time and pa
tience they afford unfailing sources of interest
and knowledge 1t is in this field that discover
les of great significance and of vast importance
to the human family relating to the causes of
diseases. are being so rapidly made-discoveries
that throw brilliant floods of light upon the
darkness that has hitherto enshrouded the terri
bio pestilences and zymotic diseases that have
SO often swept over the world in desolating
waves. This great work Of discovery has just
begun, and any ambitious explorer who wishes
Had
with the best lenses possible for human hands to
make, need have no fear but that he will find
much that is new to reward him for his labor,
outlay and skill.
But leaving this field, lying upon the out
skirts of the movable we will come within
regions often explored, and where the amateur,
with an ordinary microscope and moderate skill,
may find much to instruct and amuse.
One of the most interesting little animals to
he found is the olar lacrymaria, sometimes called
the proteus. 1t has a neck which, when ex-
tended, is nearly, or quite as long as its name,
and mich more flexible, 1 imagine. You may
lock for it many times without meeting it, per
haps, but when successful in finding it, it will
greatly interest you I have found it most
abundantly IN July, August and Septem-
Der, but also at many other times Its home isin
stagnant water, most generally among the
floating scum Its body is quite transparent
and is shaped somewhat like the long red beet,
having rounded slightly pointed top. 1t is
most like this when the long neck is retracted
within the body the head then looking much
like little plug set in the upper large end of
tho body Just little below the mouth spring
ing from slight grove, are number of very
delicate ella, which nearly always in mo
ton, and serve to bring food near to and into
the mouth The little creature will often remain
for an hour or more, with its neck drawn in and
its head resting closely upon the forward end of
its body, with the body going through variety
of contortions, but, finally, a new thought
strikes it, perhaps, and it suddenly thrusts out
its neck to distance twice thrice as long as
its body, and lashes it around most furiously,
apparently in search of food, or in exploration
of its surroundings 1t will thus explore the en-
tire region of its surroundings its tail remain
ing attached to the same place. Then it starts
off for a swim, its long neck, which is called
a fagellum, meaning whip, all
the ne exploring the regions through
which it progresses. AT one instant its
neck is a mere fraction of the length of its
body, and at the next two or three times as long.
When suitable particle of food is found it
seizes it in its mouth, and then commences its
passage through the long neck to the stomach.
in the center of the body, where the process of
assimilation takes place As the food glides
along the neck expands so as to accommodate
itself to the size of the particles of food. Some
times this expansion is more than twice the
usual diameter of the neck, This neck is in
every way very accommodating affair, for the
animal can expand, withdraw, thrust out, sway
about and move it in every direction, and with
it can accomplish one feat that few animals can
perform, that of surrounding itself, for it often
throws its 1agellum entirely around the body.
The little creature often amuses itself an hour or
more at time by picking with its mouth at its
sides and various parts of its body as if it were
infested with parasites and it was trying to rid
itself of them, 1t often presses upon ats sides
with such force as to indent the same to nearly
half its thickness Its body and neck for some
distance from the body have cross
markings usually inclosing diamond shaped
spaces, which markings appear to be wrinkles
in the outer coating of the body. In the body
are, generally, two neuclei and a contractile
Vesicle. OF the many hundreds of this curious
creature which | have observed have seen only
three in which the process of division had ap-
parently commenced, and was not able to see
the process completed in either of these. The
first had its body split up about half the length
into two distinct parts. The second had a
double or forked neck extending down about
one third its ordinary length. 1t used these two
fngerhke projections apparently for grasping,
and often presented very comical appearance
After remaining thus divided about an hour the
two parts came together and did not see it di-
vide further as it disappeared from view and |
could not find it again. The third had line of
division extending about half way up the body,
the two parts being in very close proximity. l
am of the opinion that this animal multiples by
division, but have not been able to verify
that opinion by observation. l do not know
how long these little creatures live, but have
kept them alive in weber slide more than a
month. This is a slide with convex cell, the
center being about a level with the general
surface of the Slide with a groove surrounding
it drop of water containing infusoria or mi
mute plants placed on the center of the cell and
covered with thin glass or mica cover will re. |
main long time without evaporating, especial !
ly if kept when not under observation, in
glass vessel, with a closely fitting cover. with
little water on the bottom of the vessel thus af