578 Transactions of the Society. 



Rotifer vulgaris Sohrank. 



The common Potifer seemed to be rare in New Zealand. We 

 found it only in one district (Mount Cook). It was not typical,— 

 t he eyes were minute dots, and the antenna was very short. 



Rotifer curtipes sp.n. Plate XVII. figs 8a-8c. 



Specific Characters. — Of moderate size ; trunk strongly stippled 

 with pellucid dots. Extended foot and rump of equal size ; first 

 three foot-joints very short, broader than long ; spurs short, diver- 

 gent, obtuse, without interspace. Movements very sluggish. 



Length 350 /x, width of corona 60 /x, neck 36 /a, trunk 60/*, 

 length of rump 55 fx, foot 55 ll, spur 14/*. Trunk narrow, of nearly 

 uniform thickness, strongly plicate ; stippling extending over trunk 

 and foot to spurs ; head and neck not dotted. Kostrum short, eyes 

 near the end ; antenna 25 to 30 /z, clavate. Disks widely separated ; 

 sulcus a flat v ; collar prominent. 



Even more tardy in its movements than R. tardigradus, it 

 extends itself with the same apparent extreme deliberation which 

 we see in those lizards which are trying to pass themselves off for 

 twigs. 



R. curtipes is near enough to R. vulgaris to require care in its 

 discrimination. It is distinguished by the dotted skin, very short 

 foot (which has, however, the number of joints usual in the genus), 

 short spurs, and slow movements. 



Habitat. — Among bog mosses (Sphagna and Hypna), Mount 

 Cook district. Previously known in Scotland, where it was abun- 

 dant at Fort Augustus, but not described. 



Rotifer longirostris (Janson). Plate XVII. figs. 6a-6c. 



The type occurred, the variety fimbriata Murray, and a short 

 stout variety, with short spurs, which is here figured. 



Rotifer montanus sp. n. Plate XVII. figs. la-Id. 



Specific Characters. — Small, stout ; trunk viscous and sordid ; 

 rostrum narrow ; antenna stout, as long as width of neck ; mouth 

 with small rosette ; teeth 2 in each jaw ; rump, foot, and spurs 

 short ; spurs obtuse, divergent, without interspace ; no eyes ; vivi- 

 parous ; toes 3. 



Length about 260/*, diameter of neck 36 /x, trunk 70 /x, rump 

 40 fx, length of spur 12/t. Trunk closely plicate, usually black with 

 adherent matter ; foot, head, and neck clear. 



