BDELLOID ROTIFERA OF SOUTH AFRICA. 177 



of six spines plus two large lateral ones, and is situated on the 

 first segment of the trunk and about the middle of it. The other 

 two ventral spines are near the sides and opposite the first dorsal 

 row. In one set of notes it is stated that the two front rows are 

 incipient, just as if the bends of the ridges had grown out to 

 points. The other rows are similar but more developed. 



The rostrum is long with a fairly prominent double lamella. 

 The setae are long, and noticeable when feeding ; two from 

 the corners are long, and like those of the variety amoenus (p. 173). 

 The brushes of setae in the antenna are about as long as the 

 antenna itself. There are two plates alongside the antenna. The 

 dental bulb is rounded with a quadrate upper margin, and the 

 two teeth are not far from the middle. The transverse ventral 

 ridges have a wavy appearance, more especially the first. The 

 spurs are longer than the width of the ankle, divergent and 

 decurved, almost sickle-shaped. 



Each wheel in the corona bears a seta, and these two setae 

 cross each other in every case. The ligule is always present and 

 is a very short peg-like structure. The upper lip rises just over 

 the sulcus bridge, and is broadly triangular with a rounded front 

 margin, slightly notched. There are two ear-like flaps from the 

 lower lip, quite abnormal in size. 



The longitudinal ridges are wavy and help to give a reticulated 

 appearance to the animal. The skin is not hardened nor sug- 

 gestive of a lorica. Apparently there are only three toes. The 

 opening of the sheath from which the toes protrude is round and 

 very small. When resting against the cover-glass, only three toes 

 can be seen and they appear to fill up the whole opening. The 

 back one may bifurcate, but I could not trace any sign, as the 

 toes when planted on the glass are unfortunately always in the 

 shadow of the trunk, and being so small cannot be well seen. I 

 never could get a proper side view of them. 



The egg is broadly ovate and symmetrical, with sixteen or 

 seventeen small swellings, giving it a wavy outline. The spines 

 and ridges are visible in the egg, before the hatching takes place. 



I found one specimen in Aberdeenshire which agreed extremely 

 well in all particulars with the South African ones. It gave the 

 same suggestion of three toes. 



Habitat. — Ground moss, Draaifontein and Springfield, Uiten- 

 hage. Fairly abundant. 



