458 THE MICROSCOPE. 



rotifer much damage. It appeared chiefly to feed on 

 monads. 



Flosculari>ea. — The Stephanoceros, " Crowned animal- 

 cule." This beautiful little creature is about the 36th 

 of an inch in length ; and is enclosed in a transparent 

 cylindrical flexible case, ovei which it protrudes five long 

 arms in a graceful manner, which, touching at their points, 

 give a form from which it derives its name. These 

 arms are furnished with several rows of short cilia, and 

 retain the prey brought within their grasp until it can be 

 swallowed. The case is attached to the animal on the 

 part we may term the shoulders ; so that when it shrinks 

 down in its transparent home, the case is drawn inwards. 

 To the bottom of its home it is secured by an elongation 

 of the body; and this part, as well as the body, contracts 

 instantly on the approach of danger, the arms coming 

 close together are also withdrawn. Its mouth differs 

 a little from the common wheel-animalcule ; it has two 

 distinct sets of teeth, with which it tears and crushes its 

 food. The eggs of the /Stephanoceros, after leaving the ani- 

 mal's body, remain in their crystal-like shell until hatched ; 

 and Dr. Mantell from close observation found, that about 

 eighty hours elapsed before their organs were all developed 

 and fitted for use. 



Limnias Geratophylli, " Water-nymph," is of this family, 

 being about the 20th of an inch in size, and is enclosed in 

 a white transparent cylindrical case, one-half the length of 

 the animal ; which, being glutinous, becomes of a brownish 

 colour, from the adhesion of extraneous matter. Its rota- 

 tory apparatus is divided into two lobes, possessing vibra- 

 ting cilia, as well as a singular projecting angular chin. In 

 the rows of little eggs in the body of the parent, may 

 clearly be distinguished most of the young organs in a 

 state of activity. From its fondness for Iwmwort, it is 

 often called by the name of that plant. (Plate III. No. 72.) 



Floscidaria Omnia, "Elegant floscularia," is a beautiful 

 type of the family, and has its rotatory organs divided 

 into several parts ; when it contracts itself into a small 

 compass, its transparent covering becomes wrinkled. This 

 creature is an interesting object, as its internal structure 

 can be seen through the translucent sheath that constitutes 



