ClipArt ETC
"A term etymologically applicable to any very small animal, and limited in actual use to those which are microscopical. Animalcules exist in prodigious numbers, and of many different kinds, their size being such that multitudes of them find ample space for all the movements of an active life within a single drop of water; and they abound almost wherever there is moisture, at least wherever organic matter is present." — Chambers' Encyclopedia, 1875

Animalcule

"A term etymologically applicable to any very small animal, and limited in actual use to those which…

"These animals [the Rotifera], called <em>Wheel Animalcules</em>, were formerly included among the Infusoria, but are now classed with the Articulata: they are chiefly known to us by the microscope, the largest being not over a tenth of an inch long, and many of them only one three-hundredth of an inch." &mdash; Goodrich, 1859

Wheel, animalcule

"These animals [the Rotifera], called Wheel Animalcules, were formerly included among the Infusoria,…

"A water-Bear, or Bear-animalcule (Macrobiotus schultzei), one of the Arctisca or Tardigradam, much magnified. 1,2,3,4, the limbs; a, mouth with six oral papill&aelig;; b, gullet, calcified stylets; c, salivary glands; d, muscluar pharynx; e, ovary; f, vesicul seminalis; g, testes."-Whitney, 1902

Water Bear

"A water-Bear, or Bear-animalcule (Macrobiotus schultzei), one of the Arctisca or Tardigradam, much…

"Woodchuck (Arctomys monax)."-Whitney, 1902

Woodchuck

"Woodchuck (Arctomys monax)."-Whitney, 1902