294 flOkSCUlaria hoodii. 



In consequence of the transparency of the corona, the semi- 

 circular wreath of the vibratile ciUa at the bottom of the vestibule 

 is easily seen. With the exception of F. trilobafa, very few, if any, 

 other species afford the same facility. 



In a side or lateral view of the floscule, on the dorsal surface, 

 will be seen a pair of transparent ridges, which run up from the 

 back of the trunk to the back of the dorsal lobe. These are sug- 

 gestive of buttresses between the trunk and coronal head, shown 

 in PI. XIV., Fig. i, r. Between these ridges there is a deep 

 hollow, bounded above by the dorsum and below by the rounded 

 surface of the body. At the lowest portion of this hollow, which 

 forms the neck, close to the buttress ridges, are two small red eyes, 

 which are present both in the young and in the adult individuals, 

 and are only seen, both at the same time, in a dorsal aspect. One 

 eye only is seen in a lateral view on either side, but cannot be seen 

 at all in the ventral view (see Fig. i, e). 



The true rotatory organ of F. Hoodii, which consists, as in 

 other species, of a ciliated rim at the base of the mouth-funnel, 

 towards the ventral side, is continued in two curved lines down 

 the vestibule to the lips. This organ is seen with greater facility 

 than in any other species, owing to the exceptional transparency of 

 the creature's large head. 



The contractile vesicle is ample, and frequently contains yel- 

 lowish globules, which appear dark brown with transmitted light. 

 It deposits one to four large eggs in the fluffy tube close to the 

 foot. This species is the most interesting of the genus Floscularia 

 and the most hardy. It can be kept in a trough under the micro- 

 scope for a number of weeks, and the observer will not tire of 

 looking at it. It must be supplied with a change of water daily, 

 which should be taken from an aquarium where there is present 

 an ample supply of food in the form of living Infusorians. The 

 observer never fails to be entertained by watching the creature's 

 manner in feeding. Sometimes three of four small animalculae 

 will enter the open mouth-funnel at one time. These the floscule 

 will swiftly swallow one after the other in rapid succession. Then, 

 again, a large-sized Infusorian wiU dash into the cavity, where it 

 will be seen to swim rapidly round and round in the coronal cup, 

 like a minnow newly introduced into a fish-globe. Then, after a 



