114 I. ROBINSON — ON A MICROSCOPICAL AQTJAEIUM:. 



I have also met with specimens of Anthophjsa vegetans, which is 

 found in globular clusters on coarsely-granulate stems. Each 

 monad of the cluster possesses a long flagellum, which waves about 

 in all directions. Their minute size may be imagined when it is 

 stated that as many as ten clusters, each composed of from 30 to 50 

 monads, were visible within the field of a iVi^i- objective. 



Some time since a curious mass of animalcules plainly visible to 

 the naked eye was observed upon a branch of Anacharis. In size 

 the group measured fully a quarter of an inch in length, and nearly 

 as much in width and thickness. On being placed under the 

 microscope it proved to be an enormous growth of Epistylis flavicans. 



Of the Rotifera which have been found maybe mentioned Rotifer 

 vulgaris and Stephannps lamellaris. The latter possesses a trans- 

 parent hood which appears to cover the whole of the anterior 

 portion of its body. 



One of the peculiar swan-necked animalcules, Trachelocerca Olor, 

 wbich has been observed, has the power of extending its neck or 

 proboscis to an immense length, in proportion to the size of its body. 

 The surface of the body is throughout covered with fine cilia, 

 obliquely striated, and the extremity of the neck is furnished with 

 a wreath of much longer cilia, for the purpose of obtaining its food. 



I have also found a curious worm-like creature (Spirostomum 

 amhigimm) having a number of rather long cilia at its anterior ex- 

 tremity, and the body distinctly striated ; a very minute animalcule, 

 oval in form, and ciliated at each extremity, which exactly accords 

 with Stylonchia lanceolata, as described by Pritchard; the curious 

 leaf-like form of Loxophyllum meleagris ; and the equally curious 

 though very different Platycola decumhens, in its transparent case. 



Two young newts were also found a few weeks ago in the 

 aquarium, the eggs from which they were hatched having doubtless 

 been attached to some of the weeds placed in it. These in their 

 young state are very interesting objects under the microscope, as 

 in consequence of the transparency of their bodies the circulation 

 of the blood may be very distinctly seen. 



Had time permitted I have no doubt but that the foregoing list 

 might have been greatly extended, but I trust sufiicient has been 

 said to show that much interest may be derived by the microscopist 

 from the possession of an aquarium similar to the one described. 

 Such interest is also greatly increased by the varying character of 

 the organisms found in the aquarium at different times, many 

 varieties appearing to develope in great abundance at one time, and 

 subsequently giving place to others of perhaps a totally different 

 type. 



