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EVENINGS AT THE MICROSCOPE 



toward the middle of the belly. This form is owing to 

 the great length of the fulcrum, and the wide curvature 

 of the mallei. The rami are very broad, somewhat square 

 at their base, flat, but much arched longitudinally. They 

 open and shut vigorously, with a snapping action, but are 

 not protruded from the front; their whole interior edges 

 come into contact. The mallei are simple slender bent 

 rods, apparently without distinct articulation. During life 

 they are thick and irregular in outline, owing to their 



SWORD-BEAKER. 



being invested with dense muscles; as is the whole upper 

 portion of the mastax. These muscles conceal or disguise 

 the form and action of the parts during life, but the intro- 

 duction of a drop of solution of potash into the water in- 

 stantly dissolves away the fleshy parts, leaving the solid 

 organs, or those composed of chitine, beautifully clear, 

 and fit for observation. Without this aid it would be 

 impossible to resolve the structure of these minute animals. 

 The little Sword-bearer, like the Brachionus, carries its 

 eggs attached to the hinder part of its body, for some time 



