_Protoplasmic Body and Reproduction._--The protoplasm is not
differentiated into ecto- and endosarc, although it is often denser
in the central part within the shell, and clearer in the pseudopodial
ramifications and the layer (or stalk in the monothalamic forms) from
which it is given off. In pelagic forms like _Globigerina_ the
external layer is almost if not quite identical in structure with the
extracapsular protoplasm of Radiolaria (q.v.), being differentiated
into granular strands traversing a clear jelly, rich in large vacuoles
(alveoli), and uniting outside the jelly to form the basal layer of
the pseudopods; these again are radiolarian in character. Hence E.R.
Lankester justly enough compares the shell here to the central capsule
of the Radiolarian, though the comparison must not be pushed too far.
The cytoplasm contains granules of various kinds, and the internal
protoplasm is sometimes pigmented. The Chrysomonad Flagellate,
_Zooxanthella_, so abundant in its resting state--the so-called
"yellow cells"--in the extracapsular protoplasm of Radiolaria (q.v.)
also occurs in the outer protoplasm of many Foraminifera, not only
pelagic but also bottom-dwellers, such as _Orbitolites_.
[Illustration: FIG. 13.--Internal cast of two chambers, a, a, of
_Nummulites_, the radial canals between them passing into b, marginal
plexus.]
The nucleus is single in the Nuda and Allogromidia and in the
megalospheric forms of higher Foraminifera; but microspheric forms
when adult contain many simple similar nuclei. The nucleus in every
case gives off granules and irregular masses ("chromidia") of similar
reactions, which play an important part in reproduction. During the
maturation of the microsphere the nuclei disappear; and the cytoplasm
breaks up into a large number of zoospores, each of which is soon
provided with a single nucleus, whether entirely derived from the
parent-nucleus or from the coalescence of chromidia, or from both
these sources is still uncertain. These zoospores are amoeboid; they
soon secrete a shell and reveal themselves as megalospheres, the
original state of the megalospheric forms. In the adult megalosphere
the solitary nucleus disappears and is replaced by hosts of minute
vesicular nuclei, formed by the concentration of chromidia. Each
nucleus aggregates around it a proper zone of dense protoplasm; by two
successive mitotic divisions each mass becomes quadri-nucleate, and
splits up into four biflagellate, uninucleate zoospores. These are
pairing-cells or gametes, though they will not pair with members of
the same brood. In the zygote resulting from pairing two nuclei soon
fuse into one; but this again divides into two; an embryonic shell is
secreted, and this is the microspheric type, which is multinuclear
from the first. F. Schaudinn compares the nuclei of the adult
Foraminifera with the (vegetative) meganucleus of Infusora (q.v.) and
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