152 W. MILNE ON THE 



The egg is more oblong than oval, narrowing very little at 

 the two ends. 



This Macrotrachela has a general resemblance to a species of 

 Philodina which I have seen in South Africa. The latter is 

 similar to, if not the same as, one which Mr. Bryce has named 

 P. patricia, but has not yet published a description of ; he kindly 

 sent me some specimens. The curve of the upper lip is not so 

 bold, and the spurs though similar are not the same in detail. 



Habitat, — Ground moss, Kamaehs farm, Uitenhage. The 

 species was obtained from the one place only, but was seen on 

 different occasions. It has not been observed again recently. 



Macrotrachela timida sp. nov. 

 PL 10, figs. 3-3a. 



Specific Characters. — Of large size, hyaline except the stomach 

 investment, which is of a pale decided pink. In general ap- 

 pearance, more especially in the rump and spurs, it is similar 

 to M . plicata (Bvyee) . Deeply plicate. Rostrum long and stout. 

 Antenna equal to one-third neck width. Teeth two. Spurs 

 divergent and decurved slightly, and equal to ankle width. 

 Corona wider than prominent collar, with a seta on each wheel. 

 Sulcus equal to two-thirds disc. Upper lip rises, almost square 

 across in front. A fleshy tooth in sulcus. Size, up to l/60th inch. 



This is an exceptionally handsome animal when feeding. It 

 has, like all having the type of rump of M. plicata, a most irritating, 

 jerky manner of creeping. But this one seems wanting in 

 pluck, and is easily stopped in travelling, by obstacles, and 

 contracts even when meeting with slight obstruction. It does 

 not feed readily in the open, and after a time all will have retired 

 into hiding. Some could be discerned feeding amongst the 

 debris, but of course details could not be made out. At last I 

 thought of washing the rubbish off them. Waiting a day or so 

 till they had quieted down and felt at home, I ran a drop of water 

 under the cover-glass ; this broke up the rubbish and carried it 

 down towards the other end, and generally left M. timida 

 uncovered, and feeding away gaily. They generally kept on 

 feeding for some time very quietly and steadily, before seeking 

 shelter again. In a few hours all would be once more hidden 

 from view. 



