Observations on Notoinmata WernecJcii By Prof. Balhiani. 531 



explanation of his figures, Vaucher speaks throughout of these 

 oogonia as galls inhabited by Cyclops lujmla. 



After Vaucher, Lyngbye * observed similar excrescences on 

 Vaucheria dichotoma, without, however, seeing the parasite inside. 



In 1827, Ungerf also described and figured the parasitic 

 swellings on V. dichotoma. linger remarked that the forms 

 described by Eoth $ under the names Conftrva dilatata var. cla- 

 vata Kth., and C. dilatata var. hursata Rih.., were only Ectosperma 

 clavata attacked by the same parasite. 



In 1833, Wimmer § showed animalculae enclosed in the ex- 

 crescences of a Vaucheria of undetermined species, but failed to 

 recognize their nature. The excrescences he considered with 

 Vaucher to be " galls." Dr. Valentin, who undertook their 

 microscopic study, was equally unsuccessful, and only pointed out 

 that the small bodies enclosed with the parasite in the capsules 

 were eggs. 



In 1834, Dr. Werneck examined some excrescences enclosing 

 animalculae on Vaucheria cespitosa, received from Professor Unger ; 

 and from a drawing which he made. Ehrenberg was able for the first 

 time to establish their true nature, classing them with Rotatoria of his 

 genus Notommata, and calling them Notommata WernecJcii.\\ 



In 1836, Ehrenberg 11 himself observed the excrescences on 



the centre is seen the black stomachal mass m s, surrounded by a circle of fatty 

 globules arising from the destruction of the gastric glands. 



Fig. 10. — Young Notommata during the free period of its existence. 



Fig. 11. — Summer egg just laid. 

 [ Fig. 12. — Summer egg contaiidng an embryo on the point of being hatched. 



Fig. 13. — Winter eggs recently laid. 



Fig. 14. — Reproductive organs of Vaucheria terrestris after fecundation. 



Fig. 15. — The same organs after the destruction of the spore. A young 

 Notommata is in the interior of the sporangiferous branch r s. A false septum /c 

 is formed in the tube of the plant, not far from the branch which carries the 

 reproductive organs. 



Fig. 16. — Parasitic pocket or gall of Vaucheria terrestris, containing a female 

 in the act of laying summer eggs. 



Fig. 17. — Gall containing a female which has finished laying its winter eggs 

 o". The antheridian cornicule ;• a is entirely empty of its contents. 



Fig. 18.— Old parasitic capsule formed at the extremity of a filament, and con- 

 taining a great number of summer eggs in the act of hatching. At the base of 

 the capsule, three young Aotomw(<a, recently hatched, are looldng for an exit. 

 The body of the female is destroyed, and only the black stomachal mass m s 

 remains, fc, false septum in the tube of the plant, closing the passage on this 

 side. ^ 



* 'Tentamen hydrophytologife danicse,' 1819, p. 82. 



t 'Die Metamorphose der Ectusperraa clavata Vauch.,' Bonn, 1827, and 

 ' Ann. des So. Nat.,' 1828, xiii. p. 428, pi. xvi. 



X ' Catalecta botanica,' fasc. ii. p. 194, and fasc. iii. pp. 183-4. 



§ 'Uebersicht der Arbeiten der Schles. Ges. fijr vaterl. Cultur,' 1833 (1834), 

 p. 71. 



Ij " Organisation in der Eichtung des Kleinsten Raumes," ' Beitr.,' iii. 1834, 

 p. 72. 



^ 'Die Infusionsthierchen als volkommene Organismcn,' 1838, p. 429. 



