Amœba (Gr. “change”), a name given to a number of the simplest animals or protozoa. The simplest form which the observer will meet is a naked lump of jelly-like protoplasm constantly flowing into new shapes.
Ray Animalcules (Radiolaria) are forms which resemble the members of the last group in some respects, but are more complex in structure, with shells composed of a latticework of flinty matter. These shells cover large tracts of the floor of the deeper parts of the ocean (limy shells dissolve before getting so far), and make up “radiolarian oozes,” such as Barbadoes earth.
Flagellates are immensely numerous animalcules with a body of definite shape covered by a membrane. Swimming is effected by a slender thread of flagellum (Latin for whiplash) of living substance, which executes whip-like movements. They are common in ponds and ditches, where it often makes up a green scum. A mouth is situated at the base of the flagellum, and at this end there is also a red eye-spot. Some flagellates bear more than one flagellum, many are fixed, and the colonial condition is common. The exceedingly minute animalcules which swarm in putrid fluids and are vaguely known as “monads” belong to this group.
Ciliates like flagellates, are invested in a firm membrane, and therefore of definite form. Instead of flagella, they possess cilia, short threads of living substance which are associated in large numbers, and alternately bend and straighten in a rhythmic fashion, bringing about locomotion in free species, or setting up currents in the water in fixed ones.
Despite their apparent insignificance, certain animalcules, by virtue of their almost imperishable skeletons, are among the most important agencies which have built up the crust of the earth. The surface of the sea is largely inhabited by Radiolarians and Foraminifera, the former preponderating in cold, the latter in temperate and tropical waters. As they die, their skeletons sink to the bottom and form mud or ooze, which through time and pressure becomes consolidated into rock.
It is generally believed that sheep were the very first of all domesticated animals. Doubtless because they supplied him with food and clothing and by reason of their gentleness, they were selected by man as his first animal associate.
DOMESTICATED ANIMALS
[DOMESTICATED MAMMALS]: [Alpaca], [Ass], [Camel], [Cat], [Cattle], [Dog], [Elephant], [Gayal], [Goat], [Guinea Pig], [Horse], [Llama], [Rabbit], [Reindeer], [Sheep], [Swine], [Yak], [Zebu]. [DOMESTICATED FISH]: [Carp], [Goldfish]. [DOMESTICATED BIRDS]: [Canary], [Chickens or Fowls], [Duck], [Guinea], [Goose], [Ostrich], [Parrot], [Peacock], [Pigeon], [Swan], [Turkey]. [DOMESTICATED INSECTS]: [Bee], Cochineal, [Silkworm Moth].