CLASSIFICATION 



221 



dilate the disc. Males (Fig. 107, 1) and larvae vermiform with a 

 ciliated pedal cup, and a simple wreath, with two eyes on the disc. 



Fam. 1. Flosculariidae: Floscularia Oken, Stephanoceros E. (Fig. 115). 

 Fam. 2. Apsilidae : Apsilus Metschnikoff (Fig. 112, A), Acyclus Leidy, 

 Atrochus Wierzejski (Fig. 112, C). 



The family Flosculariidae contains some most exquisite forms ; 

 Stephanoceros, the " Crown Animalcule," being probably the most 

 lovely of the Class, and many of the Floscules coming not far 

 behind. The Apsilidae are mostly mud-dwellers. 



Order II. Melicertaceae. Females (except in Trocho- 

 sphaerd) attached or tubicolous ; tube variable. Disc with a 

 dorsal gap (except Conochilus) often two-lobed or corolla-like ; a 

 ventral lip often separating off a ventral 

 ciliated cup continuous by a pair of gutters 

 with the ciliated groove ; trochus of 

 stronger cilia than the cingulum. Trophi 

 malleoramate in a distinct mastax. Intes- 

 tine much curved dor sally, cloaca long 

 eversible (except Trochosphaera). Males 

 and larvae as in Order I. 



Fam. 3. Melicertidae: Melicerta E. (Fig. 116), 



Limnias Schrank, Cephalosiphon 



E., Oecistes E., Lacinularia E., 



Megalotrocha E., Conochilus E., 



Octotrocha Thorpe. 

 Fam. 4. Trochosphaeridae : Trochosphaera Fig. 116. Melicerta ringens. 



Semper (Fig. 118, D). ( After Joliet )- A Side 



view ; B, dorsal view. 

 mi ir v .,, , , al, Lateral antennae ; ci, 



Ihe Melicertidae embrace a large num- cingulum seen by trans- 

 ber of tubicolous forms, many of which are parency ; g, gizzard ; p, 



^ mi -. t - n i.- P ellet in ciliated cup, 



social. This habit is especially notice- abou t to be deposited on 

 able in Lacinularia socialis, which forms ed s e of tube ; tr > trochus - 

 a gelatinous incrustation easily seen by the naked eye ; and 

 in Conochilus volvox, which forms free-swimming globular aggre- 

 gates, the young attaching themselves when hatched to the 

 centre of the ball, and the ball splitting up into two as soon 

 as undue pressure is exerted at the periphery by overcrowding. 

 In this genus the eyes are very conspicuous in the adult, as 

 they are in the similar free-swimming aggregates of Lacinularia 

 racemovata. 



Trochosphaera (Fig. 118, D) is remarkable for its peculiar 



