138 Transactions of the Society. 



case consisting of a broad base rapidly tapering to a flexible thread- 

 like tip. 



Fig. 8 represents the commonest form of the toes, in which the 

 blade widens before it begins to taper rapidly to the flexible thread. 



Fig. 8a gives a dorsal view of the same form. 



Fig. 8b represents a rare form, in which the broad base tapers 

 gradually to the fine flexible thread. (This figure is greatly en- 

 larged.) 



Fig. 8c is a larger type of toe with remarkably long thread-tips. 



Figs. 8d and 8e give the other extreme. 



All these figures (except fig. 85) are drawn to exactly the same 

 scale, and from specimens as nearly of the same size as it is pos- 

 sible to select, so as to give a good idea of the amount of variation. 



Gosse has graphically and accurately described one of the many 

 attitudes which this rotifer strikes, viz. that of the letter T re- 

 versed, with the toes extended in a horizontal line. But it is 

 impossible to describe all the different ways in which it fixes and 

 curves its toes. At times it throws them right up on its back ; at 

 times it holds them at right angles to its body ; and then again it 

 presses them close together and straight behind it, for swimming. 



Viewed dorsally, these toes are remarkably wide apart at the base. 



The foot-glands are large, and, when under the compressor, are 

 seen to exude a sticky substance which reminds one of that exuded 

 by the Battulidse, though not so viscid in this case. This substance 

 seems to make its exit from the toe at the point where it tapers 

 rapidly to the flexible tip. 



The usual setae on the foot are exceedingly fine and difficult to 

 determine, though after careful search we have found them in 

 every case. 



The eye is absent. 



The food consists mainly of diatoms, numbers of which are 

 often to be seen congesting the stomach. 



The jaws are after the type of D. gibba. 



Size. — Total length ^ in. (282 //.) ; toes alone ^q in. to s ^q in. 

 (67-85 /i) ; width ^ in. (40 /*) ; height ? | ¥ in. (60 /*). 



Eare and local, but has occurred in vast quantities in the large 

 lake, Knowsley, Lancashire. 



Diaschiza tenuiseta Burn. 

 PI. I. fig. 2. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY. 



Burn, Dr. W. B. — New and little known Eotif. Science Gossip, 1890, pp. 

 34, 35, fig. 22. 



Spec. Char. — Body slightly gibbous, very glassy ; face prone ; 

 neck a marked constriction ; lorica very flexible ; dorsal cleft well 

 marked ; lateral cleft well marked ; eye wanting ; foot rather long 



