138 MAKVELS OF POND-LIFE. 



often, when food is plentiful, the creature is filled 

 to the brim, but still endeavours to continue her 

 abundant meal. From the presence of large quan- 

 tities of food and the density of the integuments, the 

 gizzard cannot always be seen; but in favourable 

 specimens its teeth may be observed busily at 

 work. 



At the base of the tentacles small masses of 

 matter may be discovered, which are probably ner- 

 vous ganglia, and other organs; and Ehrenberg 

 discovered small vibrating bodies, supposed to be 

 connected with the function of respiration. A single 

 egg^ as shewn in the annexed drawing, is often 

 found, and the ovarium is said to develop but few 

 at a time. Two red eyes are found in young 

 specimens, but in adults they either disappear or 

 nre not conspicuous. The Stephanoceri are sociable 

 animals, and Avhen one is found, others are probably 

 near at hand. Several may often be discovered on 

 the same branch of a small water-plant, of various 

 dimensions, and in different stages of groAvth. The 

 full size is about 1-36" in height, and from its 

 magnitude care is required not to crush it in the 

 live-box. When specimens are plentiful, some should 

 be placed in that convenient receptacle ; and others 

 with the plant on which they are growing, 

 in a glass cell or trough, where they have more 

 room to display their motions, and can with fresh 



