250 Tue MicroscoPe. 
der the compound microscope revealed the fact that the form 
was an unusual one of the family Vorticellidz. The characters 
that first attracted attention were the very large size both of 
animalcules and colonies, and the two very distinct types of zo- 
oids; one long, slender, snake-like, the other shorter, stouter, 
and trumpet-shaped, while both sorts possess peristomes re- 
minding one of the open mouth of an ophidian. 
If it may be allowed to compare small things with great, 
an appropriate specific name for this infusorian which, it ap- 
pears, has not been hitherto named, is that suggested by the 
above characters of resemblance; hence, the name proposed 
below alludes to the form and motions of the elongate type, as 
well as to the peristomal figure of both types. 
Epistylis ophidioidea, n. s. Animalcules of two forms, or 
types. 
First or ordinary zooids, trumpet-shaped, with the peristo- 
mal region oblique, its width equal to or a little less than one- 
half the length of the body, and in one view concave, resem- 
bling in this respect the peristome of Carchesium polypinum. 
Fig. f, 
The attenuate posterior third of the body is not so densely filled 
with granules as the upper two thirds, and is delicately striate 
longitudinally, whilst the anterior portion, which is filled with 
fine grunular endoplasm and a few large spheroidal bodies, is 
obscurely transversely striate. The peristome border is thick- 
ened cord-like; the vestibular and opposite edges are promi- 
nent, thus giving, when extended, the appearance of an open 
