94 Marvels of Pond-Life. 



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 cilium they are very favorable 

 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 

 flexibility 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 the teeth are brought together, one could 

 fancy a sound of mill-work was heard, and the observer 

 is fully impressed with a sense of mechanical power. 



When the creature is obliging enough to present a 

 full front view, her domestic economy is excellently 

 displayed. The prey that is caught in her whirlpool is 

 carried down by a strong ciliary current to the gizzard, 

 which may be often seen grappling with objects that 

 appear much too big for its grasp ; and Mr. Gosse was 

 lucky in witnessing an attempt to chew up a morsel 

 that did actually prove too large and too tough, and 

 which, after many ineffectual efforts, was suddenly cast 

 out. As soon as food has passed the gizzard, it is. 

 assisted in its journey by more ciliary currents, which 

 are noticeable in the capacious stomach, in the neigh- 



