Insects, 59 



lour, which produce an admirable contrast with the green colour of 

 the body, which is a little transparent and spotted with brown rays, 

 artfully arranged. Quelles decouvertes ne doit on pas esperer defalre 

 desormais dans VHistoire Naturelle, puisq^ on trouve des poissons 

 avec des plumes ! " — p. 275. 



Cyclopsina Slahheri, Baird. Body oval. Tail short. Antennae 

 long, shorter than in the last species, about the length of the whole 

 insect ; numerously articulated and provided with rather long and nu- 

 merous setae. The last articulation of tail is bifurcated, each division 

 being furnished with five short stout setae, which are not plumose.— 

 The ova, in the specimen figured in my Journal, appear lying across 

 the centre of the body instead of the tail, as in the Cyclopsina Castor, 

 &c., and I have noticed this peculiarity in my notes at the time- 

 Inhabits the Southern Indian Ocean. "July 20, 1832, in lat. 11° 

 36' S. long. 105° 39' W. The water this evening was still more lu- 

 minous than last night. Upon drawing up a bucket-full from along- 

 side, and leaving it at rest for a short time, several beautiful bright 

 spots or bodies might be distinctly seen floating in it, and at times 

 darting through the water with great rapidity. Upon examination in 

 the morning, I found four different kinds of animalcules in it, of which 

 two were species of Cyclops. There is no doubt these were the lu- 

 minous bodies seen in the water, and which were observed darting 

 through it at such a rate." — Private Journal. 



Slabber, in his work upon the microscope,* gives a figure of a "Zee- 

 water luis," which very much resembles this species, (see p. 52, t. 17, 

 fig. 3). He represents it with two eyes, and makes body and tail in 

 one, but the antennae and caudal filaments, together with the general 

 form of the animal, leaves no doubt in my mind as to the identity of 

 the two insects : I have therefore named it after him as its first observer. 

 Genus. — OiTHONA,t Baird. 

 This genus is distinguished from Cyclopsina, by having a pair of 

 short antennae situated immediately in front of the long pair. The 

 antennules, as in the last genus, are divided into two branches. 



Oithona plumifera, Baird. This is a very beautiful species, but 

 very minute in size. The body is rather slender, oval, and of an ele- 

 gant appearance. Tail elongated and slender. The long antennae are 

 fully the length of the whole insect, numerously articulated and cili- 



* Natuurkundige Verlustigingen behelzende Microscopise Waarneemingen, &c., 

 door Martinus Slabber. 1778. 



\ Oi-thonaj Virgin of the waA^e. 



