THE ROTIFERA OF THE SCOTTISH LOCHS. 179 
retaining its position by its superior weight till a new grip was taken by the mouth. 
The remarkable feature was that they walked backward, and at each step the anal 
region was greatly expanded, being then by far the widest part of the body, perhaps 
twice the diameter of the middle of the trunk. In this action the short foot became quite 
lateral. The individuals behaving in this way carried eggs, and | interpret the action 
as an attempt to lay the eggs as the fear of death came upon them after the death of 
the host. When first the species was observed, this action was going on; the small jaws 
had not been seen, and the mode of creeping gave the impression that the broad end 
was anterior, and the expanded anus a great sucker with which the animal was seeking 
for a fresh hold. The true relation of parts soon became apparent. 
Proales daphnicola (THompgon) (50). (Plate VI., figs. 26a to 26e.) 
Mr RousseEter identifies as this species an animal of which I sent him a drawing, 
although there are some little discrepancies. 
If it is this species, the situation in which it was found is remarkable. It was 
dredged at a depth of 500 feet in the middle of Loch Ness, and it was parasitic, not 
upon a Daphnid, but upon an oligochete worm. When examined, the worm was 
moribund: the Rotifers, though all living when first seen, soon died, and the studies 
obtained were not so complete as could be desired. The species of worm was not 
ascertained. It was either a different species from the others taken in the same 
dredging, or it was in a pathological condition, as it adhered to the glass when placed 
upon it, which the others did not. 
Five individual Rotifers were adhering to the worm, near the extremity. All were 
in the same position, the very broad head applied to the skin, and the feet all pointing 
backwards. 
This is the greatest depth at which we have obtained a Rotifer, although in Loch 
Ness many go down to 300 feet. 
Pleurotrocha parasitica, JENNINGS (26). 
From a very incomplete drawing, Mr Rousseter suggested this identification. On 
comparing JENNINGS’ figures, | am satisfied that this is the animal found, adhering to 
the skin of an Oligochzete, in Loch Ness. 
Furcularia longiseta, Kur., var. equalis, Har. 
A variety with equal toes was frequent in Loch Morar in 1908. The animal was 
both smaller and more slender than the type, and the equal toes were almost quite 
symmetrical, 
