BDELLOID ROTIFER A OF SOUTH AFRICA. 175 



did I see a specimen feeding quietly with toes affixed, and that 

 not for very long. On several occasions I was hopeful of getting 

 another view, but hardly had feeding commenced when the 

 gyrations were once more started, before anything could be 

 clearly seen. 



It is of a sturdy build. The neck is very stout and fleshy, 

 showing no lacunae ; and the throat is wide and long. The 

 inclosed wheels are a large clear mass, nearly circular in shape, 

 with a small break in a clear definite outline. The closed mouth 

 shows a well-marked rosette. 



This is the only ringed form yet observed which has a very 

 long antenna. It was not noticed for some time that the antenna 

 was long, as seldom or never does it seem to have it at full stretch 

 when creeping. When attached to the cover-glass and about to 

 feed, and moving the head forward preparatory to unfurling the 

 corona, the antenna is pushed straight in front, and when at full 

 stretch is well ahead of the rostrum ; and when the wheels are 

 out it is seen projecting for a considerable distance in front of the 

 wheels and straight over the sulcus. It has been seen extended 

 to fully one and one-fourth times the width of the neck. When 

 the animal is whirling round and round, the antenna is held 

 outwards, with the end curving backwards, and gives a fleeting 

 glimpse, reminiscent of a pump handle, as it swings round. Of 

 the two segments of the antenna, the front one is not much 

 shorter than the basal one, and the front end with its brushes of 

 stubbly setae is very trident-looking. There is a large brain 

 mass. The jaws are long and somewhat oval, and bear eight 

 small uniform teeth. 



The foot is stout and proportionately long, and consists of 

 four segments. The spurs are less than ankle width, scarcely 

 divergent and without interspace. 



The corona is equal to the collar in width, and rather shallow. 

 The collar is high up but does not protrude, and there is no narrow- 

 ing-in of the neck from the collar backwards. 



The upper lip is a low rectangle with rounded shoulders ; and 

 in the middle in front, extending up as a prolongation, is a long 

 spike with a broad base, which gradually attenuates to a sharp 

 point near the top of the corona. 



This animal is easily distinguished from O.torquatus vaT.amoenus 

 by its long antenna, stouter build and its habits when feeding. 



