CRYSTALLINE VASES AND THEIR INHABITANTS. 39 



resorted to for accomplishing this end are dictated 

 by surrounding circumstances, though we cannot 

 always trace them. 



The Floscularia comprise several varieties or 

 species ; but this one, a group of which are here 

 sketched, is the Floscularia campanulata the flat- 

 leaved Floscule or. flower. Actual flowers, being 

 visible, got their names before those little creatures 

 which so much resemble them, and which are thus 

 in so many instances named after them. This one 

 has five petals or lobes constituting its head. On 

 the angle of each petal is a tuft of setae, or bristles, 

 very long and fine, and which when expanded fall 

 in a " graceful shower " around the body of the 

 animal. Although classed among the Rotifera, it 

 yet has no rotating organisation ; but a faint line of 

 cilia inside the lobes and along the mouth produce 

 a current in the surrounding water towards the 

 opening, carrying with it the food required. This 

 food is of both animal and vegetable nature, mostly 

 small infusoria and motile plants, which in its 

 transparent body gives it at times the appearance 

 of a crystal goblet full of jewels. Of the general 

 varieties of Floscules, F t ornata is perhaps the 



