482 J. STEVENS, NOTE ON PROALES {NOTOMMATA) GIGANTEA GLASCOTT, 



regards shape, anatomy, and parasitic mode of life with Proales 

 Wernecki and similar forms, and I therefore place it in this 

 genus. 



Supplementing Miss Glascott's description, the body of the 

 adult is elongate, stout in the middle, and tapering at both 

 ends ; the anterior extremity is pointed, the ciliated face prone, 

 extending ventrally as far as the mastax, the jaws of which 

 can be protruded from the mouth situated within the ciliated 

 area. The jaws are very small, of submaleate type, as shown 

 in fig. 4. 



The anterior region of the body, as far as the gastric glands, 

 is hyaline, and the remainder, being distended by the vast 

 alimentary canal and ovary, appears dark in colour and densely 

 granular, rendering the posterior two-thirds of the body more 

 or less opaque. 



The stomach and intestine are voluminous in the adult, with 

 ]arge cells filled with granules. In young animals the stomach 

 is very moderate in size, but seems to enlarge rapidly w^ith 

 growth. 



The ovary is also very large, and usually contains one to three 

 maturing ova. The ova are laid within the snail's Q^g, where 

 they hatch in large numbers. 



Three flame-cells on each side were observed, and also the 

 small contractile vesicle. 



The brain is a small hyaline mass, on which a very minute eye 

 is situated. The eye consists of an exceedingly minute crystal- 

 line sphere, measuring no more than 3'4/x (l/7500th of an inch) 

 in diameter, to which a very minute and thin deep red disc is 

 attached. In dissolving the Rotifer with potassium hydrochlorite 

 for the purpose of studying the jaws, Mr. Kousselet saw the 

 red disc separate from the crystalline sphere, both the structures 

 resisting the action of the potash longer than the surrounding 

 tissues. 



The integument is very soft, showing four to five false segments 

 or constrictions and numerous longitudinal folds. The foot is 

 stout and short, terminating in two very small acute toes, whilst 

 the body terminates in a minute, but distinct, tail -like appendage 

 just above and between the toes. 



Sense-organs, such as dorsal and lateral antennae, are no 

 doubt present, but were not observed. 



