( 136 ) 



TRANSLATIONS. 



On the Structure and Systematic Position of the Rotifera. 



(Abstract of Dr. F. Leydig's observations.) 



In the ' Zeitschrift f. Wissenschaftliche Zoologie' of Siebold 

 and Kolliker, Vol. VI. Part 1, is a valuable Memoir by Dr. 

 F. Leydig, upon the structure and systematic position of the 

 Rotifera ; illustrated with four plates of most elaborate and 

 beautiful figures, displaying the structure of, or other parti- 

 culars relative to Stephanoceros Eichhurnii, Floscularia appen- 

 diculata, Tahicolaria najas, Pterodina patina, Polyarthra 

 platyptera, Scaridium longicaudum, Notommata Sieboldii, JV. 

 centrura, Eosphora najas, N. aurita, N. tardigrada, EucManis 

 triquetra, Steplianops lamellaris, Ascomorpha germanica, No- 

 tommata mgrmeleo, Euchlanis triquetra, Noteus quadricornis, 

 Brachionns Bakeri, B. rubens, Euchlanis unisetata, &c. 



Tlie first part of the paper embraces descriptions of the 

 various species observed by the author, as occurring in the 

 neighbourhood of Wiirzburg ; to which succeeds an exposition 

 of the condition of organization of the class in general ; and 

 the last part of the essay is devoted to a determination of the 

 systematic position of the Rotifera. 



The new species described by the author are — 



Floscularia appendiculata. 

 Notommata Sieboldii. 



„ tardigrada. 



Ascophora germanica. 



The second part of the paper, or that embracing the descrip- 

 tion of the structure of the Rotifera in general, though too 

 long for insertion in this Journal, is a most valuable contri- 

 bution to our knowledge of the structure, both histological 

 and general, of those creatures ; and must, of necessity, be 

 studied by all who pay attention to the subject. 



Though not agreeing with Dr. Leydig in his views respect- 

 ing the alliance of the Rotifera with the Crustacea, believing 

 with Mr. Huxley that they are more closely related to the 

 Annelids, we have thought that the Chapter on the Systematic 

 position of the Rotifera might be interesting to those who 

 wish to see both sides of the question ; and the more especially 

 as it contains many interesting and important observations on 

 the subje<;t to which it is devoted. 



