74 MARVELS OF POXD-LIFE. 



may not equal previous expectations, as the delicacy 

 of the organism is not disclosed by a mode of 

 using the light which answers w^ell enough for the 

 common infusoria. 



When the Floscules, or other tubicolor Rotifers 

 are specially sought for, the best way is to pro- 

 ceed to a pond where slender-leaved water-plants 

 grow, and to examine a few branches at a time 

 in a phial of w^^iter w^ith a pocket-lens. They 

 are all large enough to be discerned, if present, 

 in this manner, and as soon as one is found, 

 others may be expected, either in the same or in 

 adjacent parts of the pond, for they are gregarious 

 in their habits. With many, however, the first 

 finding of a Floscule Avill be an accident, as Avas 

 the case last April, when a small piece of myrio- 

 phyllum was placed in the live-box, and looked 

 over to see Avhat it might contain. The first 

 glimpse revealed an egg-shaped object, of a brownish 

 tint, stretching itself upon a stalk, and shewing 

 some symptoms of hairs or cilia at its head. This 

 was enough to indicate the nature of the creature, 

 and to shew the necessity for a careful management 

 of the light, which being adjusted obliquely, gave 

 quite a new character to the scene. The dirty 

 brown hue disappeared, and was replaced by brilliant 

 colours; while the hairs, instead of appearing few 

 and short, were found to be extremely numerous, 



