18 



most offensive character. At Oban, moderately common in brack- 

 ish water in company with CypHdopsis aculeata. In Johnstone 

 Loch. In an old limestone quarry where the water was very shallow. 

 In an old dried-np dam, with only as mnch water as formed a 

 soft mud. In Craigengower tarn, Cumbrae. In Blae Loch, near 

 Lugton Station, and at Hairmyres old limestone quarry. When 

 in confinement they swim through the water with great alertness. 

 Like many of the same family, when touched with a hair pencil 

 they withdraw within their shells, but not so readily as some of 

 their allies do, for they make some attempt to escape. When left 

 undisturbed they soon again resume their activity. This species, 

 together with other smooth-shelled Ostracoda, when stirred up 

 to the surface, float seemingly with little power to go down 

 into the water again. Dr. Baird,* speaking of the Cypridte, 

 states that they seem to be " endued externally with a sj)ecies 

 of varnish to protect them from the action of the water, as 

 whenever they rise to the surface the shell becomes perfectly dry, 

 and floats there in spite of the animal's struggles to again immerse 

 itself." This is true to a great extent when they are confined in a 

 glass or earthenware vessel, A dozen of Gypris compressa were put 

 on the surface in a wine glass on 8th March, and on 28th May, 

 they were still on the surface and alive, although they had a 

 weakly appearance. None had got to the side of the glass, 

 although clustered together in small groups ; when brought to the 

 side of the vessel they were repelled from it, whereas inanimate 

 chips of matter were drawn to it. On the other hand, they could 

 readily take hold of any plant met with in the water, and in this 

 way could readily regain immersion. They did not seem to come 

 to the surface of their own accord, but apparently only when 

 brought there under accidental circumstances. 



Cypris granulata, gp. nov. 



Found in an old Limestone Quarry, Hairmyres, one and a half 

 miles west of East Kilbride. April 15th. 



In Frankfield Loch. May 1. 



In Duddingston Loch. June 15. 



An old furrow in pasture ground, Stobs, near Kilwinning, 

 June 22. 



*Nat. Hist. Brit. Entom,, p. 144. 



