On Australian Entomostracans. 255 
Daphnia carinata, a Cypris, and our present species are 
swarming, is close to the high-water mark. It is also close 
to a white sandstone rock, exposed to the whole afternoon 
sun. The direct and reflected heat on a warm afternoon 
must together raise the temperature of the water to a 
considerable height. But these animals appear to 
enjoy warmth: a miniature pond in my study, which I 
keep for the purpose of watching their habits, is some- 
times of a temperature as high as 76° Fahrenheit; and 
yet all appear in high spirits, and are never so lively 
as when the sun is actually shining upon them. Then, 
even those that are decrepid, through disease and old age, 
put forth all their powers, and use the most vigorous 
exertions :— 
“ Nature awakes to renovated life.” 
(4.) D. mucronata. (Miiller.) (Plate VI. E.)—I copy 
the description of this species from Baird’s British Ento- 
mostraca :— 
‘This species is readily distinguished by the anterior 
edge of the shell being quite straight, and terminating 
inferiorly by a spinous point of considerable length. The 
head is of a triangular shape, and the eye is large,” but 
not round. ‘Superior antenne short. Filaments of 
inferior antennz not plumose.” 
“The beak is imperfect, with a deep indentation at the 
root of the head; and the anterior margin is marked with 
brownish-coloured bands, and is densely ciliated.” 
*« The colour of the whole animal is of a dark gray.” 
European specimens have the upper part of the head 
sometimes terminated by a sharp-curved point, and directed 
upwards. I have not found any such variety here. 
Habitat.—It occurs in the South Creek, and at Parra- 
matta. It almost always swims near the surface of the 
