The ciliate Blepharisma propels itself with short cilia that cover its entire body, as well as longer membranelles which line its bucal cavity or mouth. Membranelles are also used in food gathering. A large contractile vacuole, which enables the protozoa to eliminate excess water and keeps it from bursting, can be seen at its posterior end. Recorded under Nomarski DIC illumination with a horizontal field of view of approximately 300 microns.