1 94 The Irish Naturalist. 



both internal and external, which feed upon their unwilling 

 hosts ; I have discovered lately two very formidable crea- 

 tures which infest the eggs of water-snails and destroy 

 whole clusters of them ; and last but not least, there are 

 cannibals, but this savage taste is restricted to some of the 

 most innocent and guileless-looking of them all, the Floscules 

 (a warning not to trust to appearances), and their name reminds 

 me that I had almost forgotten to make mention of the group 

 to which they belong, called the '* Rhizota " (the rooted), which 

 take first place, if not first rank, in the eyes of the authorities. 

 As their name denotes, they remain fixed to one spot, within 

 gelatinous tubes which are often strengthened with extraneous 

 materials. Very beautiful indeed are their flower-like forms 

 and *' revolving wheels," but e'er the would-be admirer of their 

 charms approach, let him take care first to arm himself with 

 the patience of Job, for verily he will have need of it. Their 

 coyness and timidity would well-nigh tempt that patriarch 

 himself to make use of a few epithets more forcible than 

 polite ; after long watching perhaps, as the creature slowly 

 and cautiously uprears itself beyond the sheltering walls of its 

 dwelling-house, when every nerve is tightened with expectancy, 

 as the extremities are upon the point of being unfurled — an 

 inadvertant touch — a step upon the floor — a tremor in the 

 table from some unlooked-for source, and behold ! it has 

 vanished, and the weary watch must begin again ; but courage ! 

 I have noticed in them a marked appreciation of tempera- 

 ture, and on some auspicious occasions they seem to forget 

 their fears, and exhibit a boldness and freedom of action 

 which quite takes one by suprise. A drop of hot water applied 

 to the edge of the cover-glass is often productive of very good 

 results, and well worth the trial. But time presses, so having 

 paid them this brief tribute of notice, I must bid them adieu, 

 and trust that these few words may awaken an interest and 

 invoke a desire for personal acquaintance with these fascinating 

 little creatures in the minds of those to whom they are yet 

 strangers. 



In conclusion I would warn the Rotifer-hunter against 

 choosing a day after heavy rains for his researches ; the one 

 quality of water a rotifer eschews is that fresh from the clouds, 

 and testifies his disapproval by disappearing from his usual 

 haunts. 



