South American Rotifera. By J. Murray. 351 



segment fairly prominent. Toes slender, straight, each two- 

 shouldered, with slender straight claw. 



Length of contracted lorica 70 //, ; of dorsal plate 55 /a ; width 

 of dorsal plate 50 yLt ; of anterior margin 40-45 /a ; length of toe 

 30 ya. The spines bounding the anterior margins have broad bases, 

 and taper to fine acuminate points. The wrinkling of the dorsal 

 plate, as seen in front, appears to be of a pattern like that which 

 is more distinctly seen in C. nitida (Plate XIV, fig. 24). It was 

 faint, and could not be clearly traced all over. The lorica is not 

 very thick and is highest far back, coming to a sharp edge in 

 front. The foot consists of two short joints. 



It was a question whether to call this animal C. aculeata or 

 O. gissensis (So). Jakubski's figure (4^) is lacking in detail, but 

 is a spirited outline, from which an identification may be made 

 with confidence. Eckstein's figure and description inspire no 

 confidence, as he ^asserts that the anterior end is asymmetrical. 

 If he observed such an animal it was a sport. It has only short 

 anterior spines. If there is any real difference between the 

 species, the animal I have observed is Jakubski's. Jenning's {4-i) 

 figure of I), gissensis is perhaps this animal. 



Hahitat. — Chile, Argentine, Brazil. Also known in Sydney 

 and United States. 



Cathyjma flexilis Gosse ? {^2). Plate XIV, figs. 27a-27c. 



Description. — Very small. Length of contracted lorica 70 yu,; 

 of dorsal plate 60 /a ; of toe 25 /x ; breadth of dorsal plate 55 /x ; 

 of ventral plate about 45 //. ; of anterior margin 50 jm. 



The dorsal anterior margin is convex and crenate, the ventral 

 convex and plain, bounded by very short spines. The dorsal 

 plate is nearly as broad as long. It is deeply wrinkled, the wrinkles 

 symmetrical, enclosing facets which are arranged in a pattern 

 more or less corresponding to one common in the genus, though 

 obscured by the deepness of the wrinkles (see figs. 23, 30, on same 

 Plate). The facets show on the lateral margins, which is unusual. 



The ventral plate is also much and deeply wrinkled. The 

 toes are short, slender, with an expanded basal part, and drawn 

 out to fine points, but not shouldered. 



The above is the description of the animal I know. It is not 

 very like Gosse' s animal, which is figured with more numerous 

 wrinkles (said to be irregular), different toes, and without showing 

 the anterior spines. I make this provisional identification in 

 deference to the opinion of Mr. Bryce, who thinks the animal is 

 C.fle.rilis. Gosse's descriptions in this family are usually very 

 inadequate. 



Habitat. — In ponds and among Siohagnuni, Eio ; also known 

 in Scotland and Sydney. 



