0)1 the Botifer Conochilus volvox. By Henry Davis. 5 
are not attached to each other, as affirmed by Gosse* and others, 
but merely approximate, and a curious result is a consequence, 
•which could never occur did they hold each other ; — as the young 
female rotifers hatch they squeeze each a place for herself, and 
increase the constant drag in every direction which is exerted on 
the gelatinous ball holding them altogether, but when the in- 
habitants have greatly increased — beyond ninety or so — the strain 
is too great, the mass gives way at the weakest place, there is 
perfect subdivision and two rotating clusters ; these two clusters 
again increase, again subdivide, and so on until the pond is alive 
with them. 
The subdivision of Conochilus clusters might have been ex- 
pected had anyone thought of it ; but observation only led me to 
it : every large group seems in a state of tottering equilibrium, 
and a shght touch splits it up, while the resihence of the gelatinous 
mass and the motion of the rotifers quickly round the angles of 
each hemisphere. I have seen one group divide into three, and 
can generally coax a large cluster to divide neatly by a quick 
gentle squeeze in a live-box ; even under these trying circumstances 
the rotifers continue to preserve their radiate habits. 
I have only to add a few remarks on the male ; but first am 
obliged to notice another inaccuracy of Mr. Gosse's : he says, in the 
article already cited, " the form of the male egg is very peculiar ; 
it appears to be nearly circular, flattened on one side and convex 
on the other ; there is considerable difference in their size ; they 
are of a pale yellow hue, marked with several blackish specks. . . . 
I did not trace the development of any of the eggs." Now those flat, 
yellow, speckled eggs are nothing more or less than the discharged 
faecal pellets ! Mr. Gosse's description and figure fits them 
exactly, while we have seen that the true male (whose development 
has been traced) are clear, colourless and oval. 
The male of Conochilus I saw for the first time — although long 
expecting him — in the summer of last year, and beyond his rarity 
saw little in him to admire. He is scarcely larger than the head 
of one of his sisters, and resembles some of Mr. Gosse's figures of 
other male rotifers, and most of Dr. Hudson's, except that I could 
not detect any antennae on the back. His constant endeavour while 
under the microscope is to prove himself without form and void, to 
simulate a preternaturally lively Amoeba, and, as soon as possible, 
to wriggle himself first to decomposition, then to death. 
* " They adhere togetlier by the mutual contact of the bases of their feet 
they are united by the extremity of the foot."— Gosse, 'Pop. Science 
Review,' August 1862. 
