726 ORDER PERITRICHA . 



and consistence to the substance of the lorica. Length of the lorica 

 1-400". HAB. Brackish water. 



This species was originally figured and described by the author in the ' Monthly 

 Microscopical Journal' for May ist, 1869, under the title of Cothurnia operculigera. 

 The specimens furnishing this description were obtained from the brackish waters of 

 the Victoria Docks, in connection with one of the periodical excursions of the 

 Quekett Microscopical Club, and were first submitted to the author's notice by Mr. 

 Walter Reeves, of the Royal Microscopical Society. The most distinctive feature of 

 this form is afforded by the great relative length of the pedicle, which, with the 

 exception of P. socialis, is equalled by no other known species. An essential dis- 

 tinction subsisting between the present species and the last named type is afforded 

 by the contour of their respective loricae, which is in the one case perfectly smooth 

 and in the other transversely annulate, to which it may be added that the pedicle, 

 while more often curved in Pyxicola sorialis, is in P. operculigera invariably recti- 

 linear. The species now under notice was found abundantly on the polyparies of 

 Condylophora lacustris, as also on other aquatic plants and animals growing upon the 

 timber in the docks ; in one instance as many as four individuals were met with 

 attached to the lorica of a larger and closely allied member of the same family 

 group, i. e. Vaginicola crystallina ; this particular example is figured in the original 

 description and illustration above quoted. 



Pyxicola pyxidiformis, D'Udk. sp. PL. XL. FIG. 41. 



Lorica symmetrical, subfusiform, widest and angular in the centre, taper- 

 ing towards the two extremities, each of which is truncate, the posterior one 

 being the narrower ; the front margin bearing a disc-shaped operculum 

 which closes the aperture when the animalcule is retracted ; pedicle 

 transparent, about one-fourth the height of the lorica; the lorica and 

 operculum in the mature zooids opaque, rich chestnut brown, transparent 

 when young. Animalcule when extended protruding to some distance 

 beyond the aperture of the lorica. Height of lorica 1-150''. 



HAB. Fresh water. 



D'Udekem* remarks that the operculum of this interesting form, described by him 

 under the title of Cothurnia pyxidiformis^ is apparently attached to the body of the 

 animalcule, but at the same time, as shown in the accompanying illustration, figures 

 it as though fastened in a hinge-like manner to the front margin of the lorica. 



Pyxicola pusilla, S. K. 



Lorica urceolate, curved and slightly gibbous, the anterior aperture 

 obliquely set, narrowest anteriorly, rounded and inflated posteriorly, 

 about twice as long as broad ; colour dark chestnut brown when old, 

 transparent when young ; pedicle very short, permanently transparent, 

 averaging one-tenth of the length of the entire lorica. Contained animal- 

 cule regularly conical, widest anteriorly and tapering gradually towards 

 its attachment to the lorica, which is effected through the medium of a 

 short boss-like protuberance ; the operculum conspicuous only in the older 

 individuals, elevated to but a short distance beyond the aperture of the 

 lorica ; endoplast band-like, spirally curved. Length of lorica 1-500". 



HAB. Fresh water, among Lemnce. 



* 'Infusoires de la Belgique/ 1864. 



