212 



The Microscope. 



which there was evident protoplasmic movement, in order that there 

 might be a certain means of determining whether or not the cell 

 was still living. 



Similar and usually quite as good results were obtained with 

 mauvein and methyl-violet, both colors closely resembling dahlia. 

 Usually a 1 per cent, solution was made, and this diluted with from 

 fifty to one thousand parts of water, according to circumstances. 

 Some doubtful results were obtained with other colors, but too 

 uncertain to waiTant recording. — Roy. Mic. Journal. 



ABSTRACTS. 



Stephanoceeas Eichoenii. — W. H. Harris contributes to Science 

 Gossip, under the title of a page of the life history of this rotifer, 

 his observations on the production of the young. He finds that this 

 rotifer is ovoviaporous, — the ovum, when excluded, remaining in 

 contact with the parent. When the young first escape from the 

 ova they are mere sack-like creatures with a fringe of cilia around 

 the anterior end, (fig. 1,) the posterior end contracting to a rounded 

 point. 



In a case noted, the young escaped one hour after the ovum had 

 been extruded. After swimming freely about for thirty minutes, it 

 settled down, and in a few seconds attached itself permanently. It 

 then elongated and contracted itself to its utmost extent, gave a few 

 convulsive turns, and in three minutes fi'om the time of settling, the 

 first portion of its future dwelling place was distinctly visible (fig. 2. 

 Harris suggests that the reason for the movements noted might be a 



