THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST, 



tinguished from the ordinary form not only by the presence of 

 the tube, but by the projection of long setse, three or four times 

 the length of the cilia, from the cuticle down the whole length of 

 the body. These setse are well seen with a i-inch objective 

 under dark ground illumination. Other Protozoa taken belonged to 

 the genera Vorticella, Epistylis, Vaginicola, Acinita, and Pyxicola. 

 The last named deserve a word. They build a small vase-shaped 

 sheath as a dwelling, and have, just beneath the head, a round 

 disc attached. Upon any alarm they retire into their tube in 

 such a manner that this disc is drawn down over its mouth, 

 closing all up snugly. Sun animalcules, Acinetadae, and Amoebae 

 complete our list of these hinnble forms of life. In the botanical 

 side were noted the strangely twisting and coiling Oscillatorice, 

 Closteria, and diatoms. Of the last a long, narrow species of 

 Pleurosigma was swimming about freely. Some good rotifers 

 were taken. The lovely rolling clusters of Lacinularia nutans 

 were caught by dozens. Of tube-builders we noted handsome 

 specimens of Floscularia coronetta. Cephalosiphon limnias and 

 Limnias ceratojohylli were plentiful. Many compound tubes of 

 the latter were noticed, two groups containing eight individuals 

 each. Oecistes longicornis, with its two long arm-like antennae, 

 were found, but no Melicerta. Asplanchna Ihightwellii and its 

 near relative, Sacculus viridrcs, were taken. The latter uncommon 

 rotifer, when extended, as its name implies, resembles a little 

 green bag. The usual forms of the genera Brachionus, Dino- 

 charis, Scaridium, Mastigocerca, and Euchlanis were observed, as 

 also Pterodina rejlexa, and a form apparently identical with 

 Taplirocampa Saundersice, but differing in colour ; the English 

 one is yellow, but all we have seen here green. 



The great capture of the day, however, was the strange Pedalion 

 mirum, a rotifer of which our friend Mr. Shephard had a tan- 

 talizing glimpse a short time ago. On this occasion, however, 

 we had ample opportunity of observing a specimen. The peculiar 

 interest attaching to this little creature arises (according to Dr. 

 Hudson), from its affording a connecting link between Rotiferaand 

 Arthropoda. Added to the usual organization of its class it 

 possesses six hollow limbs, very muscular, each terminating in 

 eight symmetrically curving spines. By the aid of these limbs it 

 skips, and between the skips it swims, like its congeners, with its 

 ciliary wreath. This rotifer's unique structure necessitated the 

 establishment of the fourth order of Rot if era for its accommoda- 

 tion. It has already been reported from Brisbane. 



A start was now made for home, and tliough a rough street 

 toilet slightly improved the appearance of the party, they were 

 not sorry that night's kindly shades to some extent concealed 

 their mud-bedaubed condition while homeward bound. — W. and 

 J. Stickland. 



