TARDIGRADA: AUSTRALIA 141 



C : SMOOTH EGGS LAID IN THE CAST SKIN 

 Macrobiotus sattlcri, Richters (26) 



Habitat, Tree-moss, Eumundi, Queensland. 



Professor Richters neither describes nor figures the pharynx of this species. He 

 probably found it in the " simplex " condition. The structure of the skin is very 

 distinctive, and taken in conjunction with the divergent claws there would seem to be 

 little difficulty in recognising the species, without considering the pharynx. There is 

 reason, however, to believe that more than one form has skin like sattleri and also 

 divergent claws. One of them is figured in Scottish Tardigrada (18) Plate IV. 

 Fig. 2G/;. 



The Australian form has a different pharynx. There are two rods the one next 

 the gullet about two and a half times as long as broad, and slightly constricted in the 

 middle, making two equal lobes ; the second about twice as long as broad. There is 

 no " comma." The claws are unequal, and are joined at the bases only. They diverge 

 at less than a right angle. The long claw of one pair is longer than that of the other, 

 and has a small supplementary point. Eyes are present. 



Macrolnotus papillijer, Murray (12) 



Habitat. Among moss from the Australian Alps, altitude 5000 feet, New South 

 Wales. 



Macrobiotus rubcns, Murray (17) 



Habitat. At Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains, altitude between 2000 and 

 3000 feet, abundant. 



It was not seen alive. The fat-cells still retained the red colour. The largest 

 example measured 450 ju in length. No comma was seen in the pharynx, but it is often 

 difficult to see in dead animals. 



The distribution of the species, so far as known, is peculiar. Discovered in India 

 (17) at an elevation of 6000 feet, Professor Richters afterwards found it in Ascension 

 and Sumatra (39). It now reappears in Australia, where the eggs as well as the 

 adults were found. 



Macrobiotus augusti, Murray (18) 

 Habitat. Ponds in the public parks, Sydney 



