THE ROTIFERA OF THE SCOTTISH LOCHS. 179 



retaining its position by its superior weight till a new grip was taken by the mouth. 

 The remarkable feature was that they walked backward, and at each step the anal 

 region was greatly expanded, being then by far the widest part of the body, perhaps 

 twice the diameter of the middle of the trunk. In this action the short foot became quite 

 lateral. The individuals behaving in this way carried eggs, and I interpret the action 

 as an attempt to lay the eggs as the fear of death came upon them after the death of 

 the host. When first the species was observed, this action was going on ; the small jaws 

 had not been seen, and the mode of creeping gave the impression that the broad end 

 was anterior, and the expanded anus a great sucker with which the animal was seeking 

 for a fresh hold. The true relation of parts soon became apparent. 



Proales daphnicola (Thompson) (50). (Plate VI., figs. 26a to 26e.) 



Mr Rousselet identifies as this species an animal of which I sent him a drawing, 

 although there are some little discrepancies. 



If it is this species, the situation in which it was found is remarkable. It was 

 dredged at a depth of 500 feet in the middle of Loch Ness, and it was parasitic, not 

 upon a Daphnid, but upon an oligochgete worm. When examined, the worm was 

 moribund : the Eotifers, though all living when first seen, soon died, and the studies 

 obtained were not so complete as could be desired. The species of worm was not 

 ascertained. It was either a different species from the others taken in the same 

 dredging, or it was in a pathological condition, as it adhered to the glass when placed 

 upon it, which the others did not. 



Five individual Rotifers were adhering to the worm, near the extremity. All were 

 in the same position, the very broad head applied to the skin, and the feet all pointing 

 backwards. 



This is the greatest depth at which we have obtained a Rotifer, although in Loch 

 Ness many go down to 300 feet. 



Pleurotrocha parasitica, Jennings (26). 



From a very incomplete drawing, Mr Rousselet suggested this identification. On 

 comparing Jennings' figures, I am satisfied that this is the animal found, adhering to 

 the skin of an Oligochsete, in Loch Ness. 



Furcularia longiseta, Ehr., var. wqualis, Ehe. 



A variety with equal toes was frequent in Loch Morar in 1903. The animal was 

 both smaller and more slender than the type, and the equal toes were almost quite 

 symmetrical. 



