334 DESCRIPTION OF [Rotatoria. 



Family XXIV.— OECISTINA 



Comprise infusory animalcules which have a single rota- 

 tory organ entire at the margin, and whose bodies have an 

 envelope, or lorica. This family contains only two species ; 

 they possess an organization more developed than any we 

 have yet described. Locomotive organs, with internal 

 muscles, says Dr. Ehrenberg, and a tail-foot, not pincer- 

 like, nutritive organs, with a chewing apparatus, consisting 

 of teeth in rows, two pancreatic glands, as well as the de- 

 velopment and expulsion of ova, are observed in both. 

 Male organs, unknown vessels, two filiform tremulous or- 

 gans (gills), and nervous fibrillae, along with ganglia, are 

 elicited in Conochilus, and red visual points in both ge- 

 nera. They are thus tabulated : — 



r special and distinct to each single animalcule Oecistes. 



Lorica ■' 



L conglomerate, or common to many single animalcules Conochilus. 



Genus CXXXVIII. Oecistes. The sheathed little fish 

 Animalcules are characterized by each animalcule having a 

 separate lorica. They have two eyes, situated anteriorly, 

 which it is curious to notice become effaced as age advances. 

 A simple wreath of cilii is observed in the frontal region of 

 the body; the long tail-like foot has internal longitudinal 

 muscles. A simple tubular contracted alimentary canal, 

 with an elongated stomach, teeth in rows, attached to 

 two jaws, situated at the head or bulb of the oesophagus? 

 and two pancreatic glands, compose the apparatus of nu- 

 trition. The visual organs are red when the animalcule 



