Marvels of Pond-Life. 79 



two legs would be slightly opened, and the body thrown 

 exactly at right-angles to them. These antics were 

 repeated all the while the observation lasted, and liad a 

 very funny effect in proving that drollery is practised, 

 if not understood, in the rotator ial world. 



Another kind of rotifer was abundant — the Philodlna, 

 which belongs to the same family as the common wheel - 

 bearer, namelv, the Philodincea. The Philodina is a 

 good deal like the common wheel-bearer, or Rotifer 



Philodina (swimming). 



vulgaris, but is usually of a stouter build, and carries 

 his eyes in a different place. In the common rotifer 

 these organs are situated on the proboscis, while those 

 of the Philodina are lower, and said to be " cervical.'' 

 The changes of form in this rotifer arc still more 

 remarkable than in the common wheel-bearer. ^Vhen 

 resting it resembles a pear-shaped purse, puckered in at 

 the mouth. Then it thrusts out its tail-foot, swells its 

 body to an oval globe, protrudes its feeler, and slightly 



