Marvels of Pond-Life. 55 



seen under indifferent microscopes, and before the 

 refinements of illumination were understood. Be this 

 as it may, any reader will be fortunate if on an April, 

 or any other morning, he or she effects the capture of 

 one of these exquisite objects, although the first im- 

 pression may not equal previous expectations, as the 

 delicacy of the organism is not disclosed by a mode of 

 using the light which answers well enough for the 

 common infusoria. 



When the Floscules, or other tubicolar Rotifers are 

 specially sought for, the best way is to proceed to a 

 pond where slender-leaved water-plants grow, and to 

 examine a few branches at a time in a phial of water 

 with 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 will be an accident, as was 

 the case last April, when a small piece of myriophyllum 

 was placed in the live-box, and looked over to see 

 what it might contain. The first glimpse revealed an 

 egg-shaped object, of a brownish tint, stretching itself 

 upon a stalk, and showing some symptoms of hairs or 

 cilia at its head. This was enough to indicate the 

 nature of the creature, and to show 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, 



