336 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



In dorsal and ventral views, the lorica was somewhat oval, 

 but it was in side and end views that its most striking 

 peculiarities were seen. Fig. 9 is a side view of one of the 

 specimens, seen most conveniently when moving in and out 

 among the small quantity of vegetable matter that was on the 

 slide ; its arched back, and its sinuous ventral outline, due to 

 the presence of a keel, aptly compared by Messrs. Hudson and 

 Gosse to the sternum of a bird, were clearly seen. Fig. 10 is 

 an end view of the Eotifer, drawn while it was anchored to the 

 slide and had its body inclined to the vertical for a short time, 

 but not inclined sufficiently to show the maximum height of 



Fig. 9. Fig. 10. 



the central ridge. In consequence of the possession of these 

 structual features and also of curved facets on parts of the 

 lorica, the Rotifers presented all kinds of angular and curved 

 outlines as they swarm about on the slide. 



13. Metopidia lepadella, Ehren. The various specimens of 

 this species examined were usually engaged in moving slowly 

 over the debris on the slide, their jointed and freely movable 

 hoods being used to rake about amongst the material. When 

 swimming freely they often turned sideways or on end so as to 

 show clearly the peculiar form of the somewhat oval lorica, 

 which was nearly fiat on its ventral and arched on its dorsal 

 side, its form in end view being very nearly that of a segment 

 of a circle. Like other species of Metopidia, M. lepadella always 

 kept the foot extended. 



