650 DESCEiPTioN OF \^JRotatoria- 



species, or to dispose of those tlcscribcd by Ehrcnberg, wliioh Diijardin 

 cannot include with other of liis genera. Likewise, before com- 

 mencing with the next family EiichJanidota, of Ehreuberg, we shall 

 take the opportunity to detail the characters of a family discoTercd 

 and named by Dujardin, viz. Alberfiens. 



Genus Flagiognatlia. — Body oblong, curved and convex on one 

 side, or comet shaped and obliquely truncate in front; terminated 

 posteriorly by a more or less distinct tail, bearing two styles. Jaws 

 with parellel branches turned the same way, and recurved towards 

 the ciliated margin with a straight central stem {fulcrum J, very long 

 and enlarged at its base ; eye specks one or two. We propose this 

 as a genus of Furculariens. 



Although possessing a curved figure, with a characteristic form of 

 jaws, Ehrenberg has distributed them in his genera ]S^oto7mnata, Biglena, 

 and Distemtna, according to the number and disposition of their red 

 p )int8, and without consideration of the characters we employ. 



The species we regard as the type of this genus is, the P. Felis, 

 called by Miiller, Vorticella felis, but not answerable to the Notommata 

 felis of Ehrenberg. Its two styles are one fourth of its entire 

 length, and are curved backwards ; the back is convex, abruptly 

 truncate behind. Length 1.118th. 



A second species, P. lancinulata, has been classed by Ehrenberg 

 among the Notommata. A variety of tliis species >^ith two eye 

 specks may be referred to the Bistemma setigerum. (Ehr.) 



One must also regard as distinct species of Plagiognatla the 

 Notommata tigris, and the Diglcna catellina of Ehrenberg. The 

 Biglena lacustris of the same author also corresponds in fomi ; but 

 its jaws ai-e not sufficiently described to determine its position; 

 whilst his Notommata hjptopus, represented with one-toothed jaws, 

 analagous to those of our Furciilaria, appears the same as a Systolide 

 known to us, evidently possessing the jaws of a Plagiognatha. 



Genus Lindi^ . — Body oblong, almost vermiform, with transverse 

 folds, rounded in front, but not ciliated, terminated posteriorly by 

 two short conical toes. Jaws very complicated, with a triple branch. 

 I propose this as a genus of Systolides. 



L. tortulosa, having the general form of Notommata vermicularis. 



