GENUS RHABDOSTYLA. 665 



tion. The fine transverse striations of the cuticular surface have been accidentally 

 omitted by the artist in the figure given of the type. 



Rhabdostyla sertularium, S.K. PL. XXXIV. FIGS. 3 AND 4. 



Body broadly campanulate, dilated anteriorly when expanded, globose, 

 with a puckered anterior border when contracted, the cuticular surface finely 

 striate transversely ; pedicle somewhat stout, variously curved, occasionally 

 equalling twice the length of the body, but usually much shorter. Length 

 of body 1-600". 



HAB. Salt water, on the polyparies of Hydroid zoophytes. 



The short-stalked variety of this as yet first observed marine representative of 

 the genus Rhabdostyla was met with by the author in some abundance, in February 

 1878, attached to the polyparies of the Hydrozoon Aglaophenia pluma, from 

 St. Clement's Bay, Jersey, one or two animalcules usually occurring in almost 

 uninterrupted order on the lowermost spur of each calycle of this elegant little 

 zoophyte. The pedicle, under high magnification, exhibited what appeared to be 

 a central cavity, corresponding in this respect with that of Epistylis flavicans. When 

 closing up, the animalcules simply contract into a spherical form upon their rigid 

 pedicles. On one occasion only was an endoplast-like structure observed ; it 

 was in that instance ovate in shape and on the point of dividing transversely. 

 Examples of this species, characterized by the possession of stalks which nearly 

 equalled twice the length of the body, PI. XXXIII. Fig. 4, were subsequently 

 obtained from St. Aubin's Bay, in the same island. 



Rhabdostyla brevipes, C. & L. sp. PL. XXXIV. FIG. 8. 



Body subcylindrical, attenuate, about three times as long as broad ; 

 cuticular surface smooth, but presenting several transverse folds posteriorly 

 when contracted ; pedicle exceedingly short, about one-tenth the length of 

 the entire body ; endoplast oval, subcentral. Length of body 1-300". 



HAB. Fresh water, on aquatic insects. 



Claparede and Lachmann, conferring upon this species the title of Epistylis 

 brevipes, have figured and described it only in its retracted state, in which the 

 posterior extremity is plicate in three folds, and the anterior border contracted in a 

 snout-like form. Under the conditions noted, it closely resembles a single zooid 

 of Epistylis plicatilis, but possesses a longer and more cylindrical outline. The 

 species was originally found in some abundance on the larvae of various Diptera in 

 the Berlin Zoological Gardens, the individual zooids being fixed very closely to each 

 other. Its discoverers remark that, if this type is persistent, it merits, as recognized 

 in this volume, a new generic title. 



Rhabdostyla nebulifera, From. sp. PL. XXXIV. FIGS, n AND 12. 



Body subglobose, anteriorly truncate, surface smooth ; pedicle short, 

 about one-half as long as the body, fimbriate at its point of attachment, 

 expanded in a cup-like manner where it joins the animalcule's body. 

 Length of body 1-200". HAB. Fresh water. 



This species is described by De Fromentel * as Epistylis nebulifera. One of the 

 two figures given by him represents an example dividing by longitudinal fission a 

 phenomenon not yet witnessed in the species examined by the author. 



' Etudes sur les Microzoaires,' 1876. 



