An'i-māl'cūle, n.

n. [Lat., as if animalculum, animalcula, dim. of animal.] A little animal, especially one that is invisible, or nearly so, to the naked eye.

Many of the so-called animalcules have been shown to be plants, having locomotive powers something like that of animals; the motion, however, is not supposed to be voluntary. They are spoken of as motile plants. Among these are the Volvox, the Desmidiaceæ, and the silicious Diatomaceæ. Animalcules are also called infusoria, as they often make their appearance in vegetable infusions.

Spermatic animalcules. See SPERMATOZOA.