WHEEL-BEARERS 



265_ 



class of animals, though the parts are essentially the same 

 as those which we have already seen as entering into the 

 mouth in Insects. 



Eemoving the carmine- stained water, I put into the 

 live- box a drop from a vase very rich in organisms of 

 many kinds. Among these you see very numerous the 

 mulberry-like clusters of that beautiful green creature, 

 Syncrypta voluox, which is now pretty generally consid- 

 ered a plant, though from its spontaneous motion, swim- 

 ming evenly along, revolving on 

 its axis as it goes, you would be 

 inclined to agree with earlier 

 observers in thinking it an ani- 

 mal. These appear to be fa- 

 vorite morsels with the Brachion: 

 one has already been devoured, 

 and is quite visible in the ali- 

 mentary canal, its brilliant green 

 hue shining out through the 

 translucent viscera and tissues. 

 Others are approaching, and two 

 or three are just now drawn into 

 the vortex of the ciliary current. 

 It is amusing to see the manoeu- 

 vres which the Brachionus makes 

 to take his prey. I say manoeu- 

 vres, for there really seem to be 

 perception and intelligence. The mode in which it directs 

 its ciliated naps toward the spot where a Syncrypta is 

 whirling, or suddenly stretches forward to the extent of 

 a long foot, as if it would seize the prey by force, seems 



to indicate a cognizance of its proximity; as do also, still 

 15 SCIENCE 12 



BRACHIONUS. 



