The Rotatorian Genus Diaschiza. 13 



This species is exceedingly abundant, and is to be found in 

 nearly every pond which one visits. 



It varies very greatly in size from 5 ig in. (90 fi) to y^ in. 

 (160 p), and also in shape, some examples being very globular, 

 others more lengthened. 



Viewed laterally, it is more or less cuneiform, but the back 

 varies considerably in its rotundity. 



Viewed dorsally, it varies from an approximately cylindrical 

 form to a wedge shape, a marked constriction separating the head 

 from the body. 



The head is covered up to the face with the usual stiff 

 integument, and is not, as Weber infers, totally illoricated. 



The protruding lips of the buccal orifice give the dorsal view 

 of the face that triangular shape to which Weber also refers. 



The rotatory organ extends obliquely down to the ventral 

 surface of the head, where it is amply furnished with long 

 vibratile cilia. A bunch of stiff* seta surrounds the buccal orifice. 



The lorica is soft and transparent, of the normal type of the 

 genus. The dorsal cleft is easily observed, wide and well marked. 

 Its edges diverge considerably from the back to the front of the 

 trunk. The other clefts, lateral and ventral, are broad and con- 

 spicuous. 



The brain is almost clear. 



The eye, which is cervical, and situated on the lower end of the 

 brain, consists of an elliptical mass of red pigments. 



The foot is short, and scarcely projects beyond the lorica. 



The toes, which are about £ the length of the body, vary con- 

 siderably in size and shape. Sometimes they are almost straight, 

 and can be closely appressed to one another ; but as a rule they 

 are slightly outcurved and decurved. 



The gastric glands are usually tinted in adult specimens with 

 some shade between brown and pink. 



The mastax is normal, with strongly striated muscles. 



The jaws have the incus long, and are very robust from a 

 lateral view. The mallei are small and thin. 



The stomach is often coloured with food of any colour from 

 ruby red to brilliant emerald green. 



In habit "this tiny sprightly atom " frequently (Gosse: "rarely") 

 anchors itself by the mucous secretion of its foot-glands. It has 

 also a pretty habit of jerking itself rapidly from one position to 

 another without weighing anchor. 



Size. — Total length downwards from j^g in. (160 fi) ; toes only 

 eJ^ in. (40 fj,) ; breadth ? l Q in. (60 /m) ; height 3 ^ in. (67 /*). 

 Abundant everywhere. 



