They do not seem to affect the snail eggs at all, which are far larger than Cornelius and any of his friends. But inside the gelatin? I don't see how there could be enough oxygen, water and food in that goop to survive, but apparently it's enough for a Stentor.
Cornelius is transparent enough to see what he had for lunch. In this case, you can see a Euglena with his red eye in one vacuole, and what appears to be a coleps in another vacuole. Brave Cornelius, to eat a Coleps.
You will appreciate watching this video of Cornelius, as he goes about stentor business and meets up with his buddy who is free swimming, but comes back a few times to be with his pal.
1. Something bumped into him and he has contracted down. See his foot, it is attached to some part of the gelatinous mass of the snail egg sac. The "printed on water color rag paper" look of the background is the gelatinous mass and all it's hitchhiker protists living in it.
2. Here he is, slowly stretching out himself after his fright from some unknown microbe bumping into him. Or maybe it was the camera?
3. Back out to full eating mode, although he can stretch a lot more if he wanted to. Also a clearer view of lunch.
4. Cornelius at work, showing his rotorheads swirling the water, bring more snacks his way.
5. Cornelius has friends, but they don't share food. Got to watch out for germs. LOLOL
