PRESIDENT S ADDRESS, 



it is fixed to the bottom by others, being comparable, when 

 seen in this way, to a piece of white coral. 



What these mysterious forms of life are I do not pretend 

 to say, whether independent organisms, or only stages in 

 the development of other creatures ; but I am certain about 

 Dendrosoma being able to assume an amoeboid condition, and, 

 thougli I have little to support it, I have always thought that 

 the new genus and species Lithawdha discnn, as described by 

 Professor Eay Lankester, which came from my aquaria, was a 

 phase in the life-cycle oi Einstylis leiton. 



Advantage may also be taken of the habits of many other 

 creatures, if they are only known and studied, a bright light or 

 a dead entomostracan often being sufiticient to attract many 

 organisms to a desired spot from which they may be readily 

 picked up by means of a syringe or dipping-tube ; but without 

 even this, numbers of the most lovely rotifers will cluster 

 together like so many bees, and if only the manipulator's eyes 

 be trained to detect and recognise them, a great amount of 

 delicate work, far beyond the most practised skill, or the best 

 mechanical contrivance, is performed ready to our hand. 



Those who have seen a group of the charming creatures, 

 Xotoiiimitta Bradiwnus, spinning their tiny threads, swinging, 

 gambolling, and frolicking about in their aquatic revelry ; or 

 their little less beautiful allies, SSynrhuia tremuJa, need only be 

 told that they arrange themselves in this manner just as 

 though they knew they were required for exhibition. 



The fixed rotifers, too, may generally be dealt with just as 

 certainly, though in that case much longer time is required to 

 carry the preparations out, for if they are found, as often hap- 

 pens, on such a plant as Anacharis (one of the worst, perhaps), 

 they may usually be got to take to something else, such as 

 Myriophyllum or the submerged leaves of Eanunculus, if these 

 plants are kept in the pond or aquarium to which they are 

 introduced. 



The few illustrations here given are only intended as hints 

 of what may be accomplished by everyone who earnestly makes 



