PITCHER ROTIFER. 12S 



of this genus. will frequently reward the searcher 

 into pond-life. Their main characteristic is a cup 

 or pitcher-shaped lorica, which is cut or notched 

 at the top into several horns or projections, the 

 number of which indicates the species; while two 

 or more similar projections ornament the bottom. 

 This lorica is like the shell of a tortoise open at 

 both ends; from the top an extremely beautiful 

 wreath of cilia is protruded, and also some longer 

 and stiff cilia, or slender spines, which do not ex- 

 hibit the rotatory movement. The ciliary apparatus 

 is in reality continuous, but it more often presents 

 the appearance of several divisions, and the lateral 

 cilia frequently hang over the sides. From the large 

 size of each ciliuni they are very favourable creatures 

 for exhibiting the real nature of the action, which 

 gives rise to the rotatory appearance, and which can 

 be easier studied than described. By movements, 

 partly from their base, and partly arising from the 

 tlexibility of their structure, the cilia come alternately 

 in and out of view, and when set in a circular 

 pattern, the effect is amazingly like the spinning 

 round of a wheel. The internal arrangements of the 

 Brachiones are finely displayed, and they have a 

 most aldermanic allowance of gizzard, which extends 

 more than half-way across each side of the median 

 line, and shows all the portions described by Mr. 

 Gosse. As the joints of this machine move, and 



