DIPS INTO MY AQUARIUM. 197 



eggs are all alike, or whether the sexes of the eggs differ at 

 different times, and as to the characters and habits of the almost 

 unknown male of some species. So that there is enough to be 

 found out even in this well-travelled region to tempt the industry 

 of the adventurous. 



Very few who are acquainted with the rotifers will demur to 

 the statement that the most beautiful of the whole group is 

 Stephanoceros Eichornii (Fig. 6). I have often fished up this 

 creature, and more than once have had the opportunity of 



exhibiting it to my friends. 



Tubicolar rotifers are not at all 

 difficult to find. Take from the 

 pond a few sprays of water- weed, 

 and examine them in the collecting 

 bottle. If any leaf or twig seems 

 to be dusted, look at it with a 

 pocket lens. To those who are 

 practised in such work the naked 

 eye will be sufficient to detect the 

 presence of rotifers, and the lens 

 will enable the seeker to determine 

 the genus in many cases. The 

 microscope, of course, will be 

 required in order to reveal the 

 details. I have found Anacharis 

 alsi?iastrum the most prolific water 

 plant for rotifers, and it was on this 

 weed that I discovered my first 

 Sfephafioceros. There was but one 

 solitary specimen, and it was not 

 at first seen. I had kept the weed 

 in my jar several hours before I 

 found it. Several other curious 

 and lovely creatures had disclosed 

 themselves before I became aware 

 that I had captured this queen of 

 rotifers. It was while watching 

 throusfh the lens another rotifer that 

 was swimming about that I detected 

 Fig. 6.— Stephanoceros Eichornii. a tiny oval mass lying in one of the 



