Twenty-four more New Species of Rotifera. Bi/ P. H. Gosse. 867 



This form comes very near to D. rhamphigera, but the obHque 

 excavation of each of the dorsal lorica-plates is much more distinct, the 

 frontal beak is more slender, nearly evanescent, and does not appear to 

 be a prolongation of the trophi, which, moreover, are somewhat diversely- 

 shaped. There is a red eye on the inner surface of the brain, which I 

 did not perceive in D. rhamphigera ; and, above all, it is marine. 



Only a single specimen has been observed, and that dead ; but so 

 recently as to leave the internal organs and viscera well-defined, and in 

 situ. It was from a tide-pool at Invergowrie. Both species, if they are 

 distinct, require further study. (Fig. 14.) 



15. Diaschiza acronota. Lorica much elevated, heart-shaped in 

 lateral outline ; the dorsal cleft very manifest : head globose, prominent : 

 foot thick ; toes stout, long, nearly straight, tapering : eye occipital, pale, 

 very large. Length 1/140 in. ; depth 1/400. Lacustrine. 



This very remarkable form is another novelty yielded by the mill- 

 stream at Kingskerswell. It seems a very distinct and interesting 

 species ; though known, as yet, only by a single dead specimen, in which 

 the eye and the trophi remained in position. The eye is a remarkable 

 feature, from its great size, irregular shape, and pale hue. It occupies 

 nearly half the vertical depth of the body, of a very pale salmon-red. 

 In all these points it resembles the organ in D. pieta. The mastax is 

 small : the toes have a backward curve, so slight as to be scarcely 

 perceptible. (Fig. 15.) 



16. Distyla lipara. Lorica skin-like, flexible, plicate : body flask- 

 shaped, soft and very plump, not pointed behind : toes large, blade-shaj)ed, 

 not shouldered : brain simple ; eye minute, occipital. Length, total ex- 

 tended, 1/162 in. ; of lorica alone, 1/260 in. ; but being very flexible, 

 it contracts to 1/350 in. Lacustrine. 



This differs, at sight, from its known congeners by its round, manifestly 

 soft, body, properly egg-shaped, specially in its hind parts, scarcely at all 

 flattened, and destitute of the usual inangulation ; the edges of the dorsal 

 and ventral plates approaching close in the middle, and diverging at both 

 extremities, so that the rounded surface is scarcely broken. The soft 

 integument is constantly thrown into deep irregular plicae, which do not 

 appear to be permanent. A great foot bears, on a condyliform joint, two 

 toes which are widely blade-shaped, longer than the mastax, acute, but 

 not in the least shouldered at the tips. They are habitually thrown up 

 under the belly. The eye is minute, pale-red, occipital. The trophi 

 are normal, long, and capable of being brought to the very front, 

 where they work vigorously. The whole head is protrusile, and very 

 mobile. 



The entire animal is transparent and nearly colourless; but the 

 numerous folds and corrugations impart an appearance of a blue-black 

 tinge to the body. The form and outhne are subject to slight but 

 continual changes, contracting and expanding. The animal is lithe and 

 active, but not locomotive. A single specimen has occurred in water 

 from Sutton Park ditch, Birmingham, in the orange-coloured sediment 

 which abounds with fine Desmidieae. (Fig. 16.) 



17. Metopidia pijgmsea. Lorica ovate, much elevated, the back 

 rounded, the edges overhanging ; hind margin rounded ; ventral surface 



