Marvels of Pond-Life. 91 



described, was not the only enemy the little green 

 globes had to suffer from, as two sorts of rotifer were 

 frequently met with. One of these was a very hand- 

 some and singular creature, which in some positions 

 had the general contour of a cockatoo, only that the 

 legs were wanting, and the head exhibited a monkey 

 face. The " wheels " were represented by ciliary tufts r 



Triarthra. 



and two bright red eyes twinkled with a knowing look. 

 From each shoulder proceeded a long curved spine, and 

 about two thirds down the body, and lying between 

 the two long spines, a shorter one was articulated, 

 which followed the same curve. A gizzard was busy in 

 the breast, and the body terminated in two short toes, 

 which grasped a large round egg. Whenever the cilia 

 were drawn in, the three spines were thrown up ; but 

 they had an independent motion of their own, and 

 every now and then were jerked suddenly and violently 



