Agricultural zoology

Chapter 60: Seventh Sub-Kingdom: PROTOZOA (One-celled Animals).

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

A practical, illustrated survey of the animal kingdom emphasizing species that affect crops, orchards, forestry, and farm environments. It outlines classification and anatomy of major groups—vertebrates, birds, mammals, insects, mites, nematodes, molluscs and other lower forms—then treats life cycles, habits, and the beneficial or harmful roles of common field and garden animals. Substantial coverage is given to insect pests and parasitic worms, with guidance on identification and control measures adapted for agriculture. Domestic livestock are largely excluded, and concise entries and figures aim to make technical material accessible to agricultural students and practitioners.

Seventh Sub-Kingdom: PROTOZOA (One-celled Animals).

Fig. 149.—Two species of Proteus Animalcule (Amœba), one with protoplasmic processes, slender and branched; the other with short blunt processes. Highly magnified.

This sub-kingdom includes animals which are mostly microscopic, or at any rate small, and live in the sea, fresh water, or damp places. They are unicellular, and consist of a soft viscous substance (protoplasm or sarcode) of contractile nature, and therefore capable of altering its shape. They may or may not be enclosed by a firm wall. Many secrete siliceous structures or calcareous shells. They are of no agricultural importance. Here belong: Infusoria, common in putrid solutions; and Rhizopods, such as Amœba, the Proteus Animalcule (Fig. 149), so called because its shape is constantly altering.

THE END.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BECCLES.