ROTIFERS. 211 



the creature slips back into the sheath. When she comes 

 out, the bunch of hairs tremble in a very pretty way, 

 reminding the observer of the quivering appearance of 

 hot air often seen on a summer day. The front border 

 opens, the clusters of hairs are spread apart, and the 

 Rotifer is ready for something to eat. Any little ani- 

 mal slipping in between the hairs seldom comes out 

 again. The Floscularia gently contracts the frontal 

 opening and directs the victim towards the mouth, 

 where it is gulped down as in Stephanoceros, and the 

 mastax finishes it. Several eggs are often seen at- 

 tached to the foot. This splendid Eotifer is common, 

 and where one is found others will usually be near by. 



4. ACTINUKUS (Fig. 144). 



When a bottle of pond water and various plants is 

 allowed to stand for a while undisturbed, there will of 

 ten form on the sides very delicate, thread-like objects, 

 frequently branching and otherwise resem- 

 bling brownish Algse, waving and trembling 

 as the bottle is stirred. They are so soft 

 that they can hardly be removed with the 

 dipping-tube without breaking them. They 

 are the sheaths of a Rotifer. She makes 

 them from a sticky secretion exuded by her 

 body, and small particles of any matters that 

 may be floating in the vicinity. The inside 

 seems to be smooth, but the outside is rough and irreg- 

 ular. The Rotifer projects from the open end, clinging 

 10* 



