172 DROPS OF WATER. 



Philodina erythrophthalma is another slender- 

 bodied animalcule, with a tail resembling the 

 Rotifer, and two wheels as rotatory organs : it is 

 found in vegetable infusions. P. roseola is flesh- 

 coloured : Ehrenberg says that this species lays 

 its eggs in heaps, and remains with the young for 

 some time, forming one family. P. aculeata is 

 distinguished by having soft spines upon the 

 body, which give it a remarkable look ; the respi- 

 ratory tube has a thickened end. 



We now come to the last family into which 

 these little creatures are divided ; it is called 

 BracMontfa, and consists of several genera, con- 

 taining species of great beauty. They have a 

 lorica somewhat resembling the shell of a tor- 

 toise ; the rotatory organs are divided into more 



