SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



IMMATURE FORMS OF ROTIFER. 



By Walter Wesche. 



TN January, 1901, I obtained some weed from a Metopidia is a genus of the family Coluridae, 



pond at Golder's Hill, Hampstead. I placed having the body enclosed in a lorica, usually of 



it in tap-water, and on examination I found a firm consistence, the head covered with a chitinous 



Metopidia solidus, with Male and Immature Forms. 

 (Drawn from life by W. Weschi.) 



1, 2, Young one freeing itself from the egg. 3, Conjectural second stage, dorsal view ; 4, lateral view. 5, Third form, 

 dorsal view ; 6, lateral view. 7, Fourth form, lateral view ; 8, ventral view. 9, Fully grown rotifer, dorsal view ; 10, lateral 

 view. 11, Male, lateral view ; 12, dorsal view. 13, Empty egg. 14, Resting or winter egg. Filaments of Algae, Spirogyra. 



number of Metopidia solidus. The weed gradually plate or hood, and two toes, which are always 



decayed, and as the decay proceeded the number exposed. It has several well marked species, such 



of Metopidiae increased till it positively swarmed as M. triptera and M. oxysternon, but it is prob- 



with them. able that some of the immature forms hereafter 



June, 1901.— No. 85, Vol. VIII. 



Published May 25th, 1901. 



