18 NOTES ON 
appear to assist the animal in creeping along 
the stalks of plants, to which they attach them- 
selves by closing their shell. In cold weather 
clusters of them may be observed around the 
stalks of aquatic plants, giving them the appear- 
ance of ice-plants. 
The process (d) is ciliated along its posterior 
margin, and armed with two strong claws, and 
the curious trident appendage at the base is 
attached to it. The ovaria are of a greenish 
blue colour, and their surface resembles the 
form of the mulberry. The convolution of the 
alimentary canal, with the food within it, are 
clearly perceived from one extremity to the 
other. The most remarkable organ, and one 
that has hitherto escaped notice, is the small 
oval body behind the head; it has a quick pul- 
satory motion. 
The Lyncei feed on animalcules, and in their 
turn are preyed upon by aquatic larve and 
water-beetles. They are the choice food of the 
Lurco, a magnified view of which, with some of 
them within its stomach, is shewn in figure 1 
of the same plate. They are seldom met with 
in autumn, being the earliest to appear and 
disappear in the season. They inhabit the 
shallow parts of ponds, and collections of rain- 
