244 CRUSTACEANS. 



11. CYPRIS PILOSA. Plates LXII. figs. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. 



The reader will preserve in remembrance that we have arrived at a 

 very miscellaneous portion of our work, wherein we cannot profess to pre- 

 serve any of that order and arrangement which is so beneficial in others. 



The animal which forms the subject of this brief paragraph, is usu- 

 ally associated with the modern tribe, engrossing so many species under 

 the name of Entomostraca. 



To view it externally, many would pronounce it merely one of the 

 diminutive bivalve Testacea. 



Perhaps it may be defined an insect inhabitating a bivalve shell ; 

 it illustrates one of the facts whereon we have bestowed considerable at- 

 tention, and which affords very satisfactory evidence that dimensions 

 are no obstacle to exuviation. 



The genus Cypris includes several species, some of which, from 

 their diminutive size, might be thought to resemble each other. In- 

 deed, I am acquainted with scarcely any species which might not be in- 

 scribed in a circle a line in diameter : some are not half as large. The 

 subject of this paragraph appears ovoidal to the eye, consisting of a 

 double-valved shell like many of the Testacea, Plate LXII. fig. 19 ; the 

 valves somewhat resembling those of the mussel. But its colour is green, 

 and it is covered with short hair. Plate LXII. fig. 20, Cypris enlarged ; 

 fig. 21, shell more enlarged ; fig. 22, form of the valves. This must be 

 accepted for more specific detail. 



It is difficult to understand the precise form of its organs, being in- 

 cluded in a shell, the edges of which are very little relaxed. 



But it seems to me that the animal loses both the integument and 

 the valves, which are all reproduced. Fig. 23, exuvia enlarged. 



The Cypris dwells in still, fresh waters, swimming freely, and with 

 a kind of smooth action, much resembling that of the Hydrachnae. It 

 is carnivorous, feeds voraciously on mussel, numbers congregating around 

 the prey. 



In Scotland, the Cypris breeds in September and October, depositing 

 very minute orange-coloured ova, chiefly on vegetable substances ; or if 

 in confinement, on the sides of its prison. Fig. 24. But the favourite re- 



