88 /. Shephard : Eotijera of Australia. 



is exhausted, and at this stage males appear, followed by the 

 formation of resting and presumably sexual ova, these latter 

 being destined to endure throughout the summer until another 

 rainy season again originates the process. 



In view of these facts of adaptation to the special conditions 

 of the Australian climate, the so-far exclusive occurrence of the 

 majority of species of one genus, and the methods of multiplica- 

 tion of so pecuHar a character, it seems too hasty to assume that 

 rotifers are entirely cosmopolitan in their distribution. At least 

 it must be granted that there are indications of an approach ta 

 an indigenous character such as strongly marks the general 

 flora and fauna of this continent. 



