PROTOCOCCUS (Gr. first-grain, a genus of palmellaecce (q.v.), to whier red snow (q.v.) is commonly referred.—Another species is P. pluvialis, not unfrequent in stagnating rain-water. It passes through various stages of growth, in which it has been described under various generic and specific names. In some of its stages. in which it moves by means of two long cilia, it has often been mistaken for an animalcule. Its color is usually green, but sometimes red; and the red matter often appears as a mere central nucleus, which has been mistaken for the eye of the animalcule. In its ordinary form it consists of a mass of colorless protoplasm (see CELLS), with red or green granules diffused in it. surrounded by a primordial utricte (see CELLS), and undergoing division into halves, which are soon surrounded by separate envelopes, and undergo division again; the new _ • cells thus formed, and they are formed with great rapidity, being sometimes set free by the dissolution of the original enveloping membrane, more frequently remaining imbedded in a gelatinous substance formed from it. The new cells often send forth two vibratile filaments or cilia, which spring almost from one point, often a kind of beak; and move with considerable rapidity; and in this state also, they multiply by bliZry suhdivi sion; or they rest, become ene listed, and divide into four. If slowly dried, the P. plu
eialis retains life, and resumes its functions when again moistened.
PRO1000L (Gr. prides, first, and koUa, glue), a word used in two senses: 1. The rough draft of an instrument or transaction ; and more particularly the original copy of a gov ernment dispatch, treaty, or other document. 2. A record or register. In Scotland every notary, on admission to office, formerly received from the clerk-register a book called his protocol, in which he was directed to insert comes of all the instruments which he might have occasion to execute, to be preserved as in a record. At one time these proto cols were attempted to be made available as records of sasines, but many causes operated to prevent their being thus used; they have, however, often been found serviceable, when regularly kept, to supply the loss of a missing deed.