266 ORDER FLAGELLATA-PANTOSTOMATA. 



Dendromonas virgaria, Weisse sp. PL. XVII. FIGS. 1-4. 



Bodies irregularly and obliquely pyriform, compressed ; zoodendrium 

 erect, slender, evenly dichotomous ; contractile vesicles two in number, 

 posteriorly situated ; endoplast spherical, subcentral. Length of bodies 

 1-3250". Height of zoodendrium 1-130". 



HAB. Pond water. Over one hundred zooids frequently included in 

 a single colony-stock. 



This species was briefly described by the author, though without an accompanying 

 illustration, in the 'Monthly Microscopical Journal' for December 1871 under the 

 title of Anthophysa Bennetti. It being, however, evidently identical with the form 

 referred by Stein in his recently published volume in connection with the present 

 generic name to the Epistylis virgaria first described by Weisse, such prior 

 specific title is now substituted. There can further be little doubt that the type 

 figured by Stein himself in ' Wiegmann's Archives' for the year 1849, here repro- 

 duced at PI. XVII. Fig. 2, as the probable young condition of Epistylis anastatica, 

 represents likewise the species now under discussion. Among all of the numerous 

 stock-building pedicellate varieties of the Flagellata figured and described in this 

 treatise, few perhaps excel the present one in the exuberance of growth and graceful 

 symmetry of the erect, branching zoodendrium. The associated colony-stocks of 

 this species have been frequently observed by the author in such abundance on the 

 finely divided leaves of Myriophyllum and other water plants, as to present the aspect 

 of a perfect forest growth of tiny crystal trees, each terminal leaflet replete with life, 

 and quivering with the combined vibratory action of their flagella. The separate 

 animalcules of Dendromonas virgaria correspond essentially with those of Anthophysa 

 vcgetans, and need an equally high microscopic power for their satisfactory examina- 

 tion. As recently figured by Stein, a much more angular outline is given to their 

 bodies than was presented by those observed by the author, while a single contractile 

 vesicle only is delineated by this authority stationed close to the anterior border. 

 It is possible, under such circumstances, that the two represent distinct varieties. 

 Examples of this species have been recently remitted to the author by Mr. John 

 Hood, of Dundee. 



Dendromonas pusilla, Schmarda sp. PL. XVII. FIG. 8. 



Bodies ovate, stationed singly at the extremities of an irregularly 

 branching, paniculate zoodendrium. Length of bodies 1-3000", of branch- 

 ing zoodendrium 1-160". HAB. Fresh water. 



This species is figured and described by Schmarda * under the title of Epistylis 

 pusilla. His delineation given, here reproduced, represents the animalcule as seen 

 under a magnification altogether inadequate for the exhibition of the flagellate or 

 other appendages which the zooids severally possessed, these being consequently 

 represented as simply ovate and entirely naked. There can be but little doubt 

 that the type thus figured represents a stock-building flagellate animalcule nearly 

 allied to Dendromonas virgaria, from which, however, it differs in the comparatively 

 irregular plan of subdivision exhibited by the erect zoodendrium. 



GENUS IV. ANTHOPHYSA, Bory. 



Animalcules obliquely pyriform, attached in clusters to the extremities 

 of a rigid or slightly flexible, granular and opaque, not hyaline and homo- 

 geneous, simple or more or less branching pedicle or zoodendrium ; flagella 

 * ' Denkschrift d. Konig. Acad. Wien,' 1850. 



