172 Transactions of the 



this earthwork system to a much greater extent proj^ortionately 

 with its size. Ste])hanoceros takes similar precautions, though on 

 the other hand inversely proportionate with its increased dimen- 

 sions in comparison with its smaller compeers. Melicerta and 

 Limnias simply draw a mass of flocculent particles into the mouths 

 of their tubes. 



There obtains amongst the Floscules a particular member, and so 

 far as I am informed is nameless, with which I have had similar 

 evidence of its winter habitation. It is somewhat rare, and is 

 smaller than any one of the other members. The first specimen 

 that came under my notice gave me the erroneous impression, from 

 the undeveloped disk, the almost total absence of setae, and its 

 diminutive proportions, that this was the male, as I had on the 

 first occasion failed to notice any ova either deposited or contained 

 in what proved subsequently to be the ovary and not the testes 

 as I had at first assumed, the contained matrix of finely granulate 

 matter exhibiting on higher magnification the well-known nucleated 

 nuclei. It is needless to add that they soon declared themselves in 

 their true nature, by collecting at the foot from three to five fully- 

 developed ova, as shown by Fig. 8. 



It is satisfactory to find corroborative evidence in support of 

 these views on the winter habits of the Kotatoria from facts which 

 have lately been brought to light, showing that reverse conditions 

 produce adverse effects — Mr. Chantrell, of the Liverpool Micro- 

 scopical Society, having recorded instances in which with the Flos- 

 culariae found in the Windsor ponds which contain ivarm water, 

 that " the tubes disappear in the mature animals." This statement 

 in its entirety must, however, be received with due caution, for, 

 unable to detect the secondary wreath of ciha on the lobes of the 

 tube dwellers, which is an indispensable attribute in their special 

 organization, he may, with the same appliances, optical or mecha- 

 nical, be equally incompetent to detect the transparent tubes, which, 

 while devoid of foreign accessions, may nevertheless be present. 



