166 POND LIFE : ANURIA LONGISPINA. 



POND LIFE : WHERE TO FIND ANURIA LONGISPINA. 



BY J. LEVTCK. 



Enquiries for good localities for fresh-water microscopic life are so 

 often made that it is very gratifying to be able to indicate a source from 

 which an abundant supply of new and beautiful forms is now to be 

 obtained, especially as it has none of the ordinary drawbacks common to 

 pond hunting, which prove so insuperable to all but the most 

 enthusiastic. The habitat referred to is not in private grounds, 

 guarded by high and strong fences, where ominous sign-boards disclose 

 the presence of man-traps, spring guns, &c, with other pains and penalties, 

 thoughtfully provided for trespassers ; nor is it an out-of-the-way nook, 

 which needs a journey by rail, or a long walk, and a scramble through 

 bog and briar to be reached. On the contrary, it is in the most 

 convenient of all localities, a spot which may be reached at any time, 

 without fear of injury to the daintiest of prettily-worked slippers — at 

 home ! — in the very water brought to us in pipes, and which we are 

 using and drinking every day. This important commodity, supplied by 

 the Corporation of Birmingham, is now a splendid source of, not only old 

 and familiar forms of life, but even rarities, and all that needs to be 

 done to obtain these is to turn on the tap and pass a little water through 

 a very fine strainer or filter, taking care of tbe residuum, which may in 

 this way be collected. 



Under the microscope, this residuum will be found to yield a host of 

 treasures. First to be noticed is that lovely long-spined rotifer, discovered 

 only last year, Anurcea longispina, (see " Midland Naturalist," Vol. II., p. 

 241,) some dead, but many living, sailing to and fro, as it is wont to do, 

 having for its companions A. stipitata and Triarthra longiseta, the latter 

 looking like a little fat fellow on three long delicate stilts. There are also 

 occasional specimens of Salpina redunca, Dinocharis pocillum, and a long 

 list of other species, together with a few Tardigrada. A remarkable fact 

 is that the Anurcea longispina are much more hardy than they were last 

 year, whether they have become more acclimatised, or whether the water 

 suits them better, is not apparent, but they certainly live longer after 

 being gathered than hitherto, and do not seem at all discomforted by 

 being bottled for a time. 



Of other interesting forms, the latest addition to fresh-water life is 

 Ceratium longicorne, very plentiful, but few living, though its congener, 

 Peridinium tabulatum, seems none the worse for its temporary sojourn in 

 the pipes. Large quantities of that curious compound flagellate 

 organism, Dinobryon sertularia, comparable to animated ears of barley, 

 are also to be noted. The Vorticellidae and Entomostraca are also 

 represented, the former by both branched or tree-like, and simple forms, 

 and the latter principally by that lively little crustacean, with his two 

 long and curved antennze, Bosmina longirostris, evidently much the worse 

 for his compulsory visit to town, either the distance travelled or the 

 mode of transit being unsuited to his well-being. 



