E(JGS Ol- }5H AcniOXKS. 1^0 



tail, which in tliis family reaches the highest point 

 of development. It is a powerful muscular organ, 

 of great size in proportion to the animal, capable 

 of complete retraction within the carapace, and of 

 being everted wholly, or partially, at will. It ter- 

 minates in two short conical toes, protruded from 

 a tui)e-like sheath, and capable of adhering firnilv 

 even to a substance so slippery as glass. This tail 

 may be observed to indicate a variety of emotions, 

 if we can ascribe such feelings to a rotifer, and it 

 answers many purposes. Now we see it cautiouslv 

 thrust forth, and turned this w^ay and that, exploring 

 like an elephant's trunk, and almost as flexible. 

 Now it seizes firm hold of some substance, and 

 anchors its proprietor hard and fast. A few mo- 

 ments afterwards it lashes out right and left with fury, 

 like the tail of a cat in a passion. Then again 

 it will be retracted, and a casual observer might 

 not imagine the Brachion to be furnished w^ith such 

 a terminal implement. 



Tlie Brachiones may often be seen with one or 

 more lai^ge eggs stuck about the upper part of the 

 tail, and others may be discerned inside. One 

 specimen before us has three eggs attached to her 

 in tins way. TJiey are large oval bodies. Avith a 

 firm sliell. These creatures differ very much in ap- 

 pearance, according to the direction in which they 

 are seen, and a side view makes them look so dif- 



