Marvels of Pond-Life. 



91 



described, was not the only enemy the little ^yccw 

 globes had to suffer from, as two sorts of rotifer were 

 frequently met with. One of these was a very hand- 

 some and singular creature, which in some positions 

 had the general contour of a cockatoo, only that the 

 legs were wanting, and the head exhibited a monkey 

 face. The "wheels" were represented by ciliary tufts, 



Triarthra. 



and two bright red eyes twinkled with a knowing look. 

 From each shoulder proceeded a long curved spine, and 

 about two thirds down the bodv, and Ivinor between 

 the two long spines, a shorter one was articulated, 

 which followed the same curve. A gizzard was busy in 

 the breast, and the body terminated in two short toes, 

 which grasped a large round e^^. Whenever the cilia 

 were drawn in, the three spines were thrown up ; but 

 they had an independent motion of their own, and 

 every now and then were jerked suddenly and violently 



