16 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Mr. Metcalfe Johnson has communicated several papers on 
these subjects to the “ Monthly Microscopical Journal.” Re- 
ferring to that publication for details, and strongly advising 
that other microscopists should endeavour to repeat and test 
Mr. Johnson’s observations, it may now be sufficient to state 
that he gives a series of drawings, showing what he believes to 
be intermediate forms between organisms hitherto supposed to 
be quite distinct. Thus he pictures certain amoeboid forms 
changing gradually into a paramecium, and he traces the deve- 
lopment of the philodine rotifers from elementary forms. 
“ Actinophrys sol,” he says, “ is only a phase in the life history 
of Amoeba.” The philodines he regards “ as stages of develop- 
ment of one common form of animalcular existence.” In 
another paper the same writer speaks of various forms of 
monads as being transitions to such creatures as Kolpoda Cu- 
cullus. It is of great importance that such statements should 
be experimentally investigated by other microscopists. 
Among the recorded discoveries of new species during the past 
year is that of a very curious rotifer described by Dr. Hudson 
to the Royal Microscopical Society in September, and figured 
in the Journal. He names it Pedalion myra. It |is re- 
markable for a prominent limb acting as an oar — whence its 
name — and in general appearance it suggests the idea of 
resemblance to the water-fleas. Dr. Hudson will, it is hoped, 
be able to furnish more details another season concerning its 
internal structure. At present he is satisfied that it is a rotifer 
with “ six legs,” and its crustacean appearance suggests that if 
sufficient specimens are found for complete examination, it may 
strengthen the views of those who have thought rotifers nearer 
the crustacean than the annelidan group. 
Professor James Clarke, of Pennsylvania, described in 1861 
some very interesting infusoria roughly resembling in form 
vorticellids, surmounted by a delicate transparent glassy funnel, 
and furnished with a flagellum or whip filament ; and Mr. W. 
Saville Kent has been so fortunate as to find them in a pond 
at Stoke Newington. The new forms are named Cadosiga, 
Salpingaeca, Ricosoeca, and Anthophysa. They were succinctly 
described by Mr. Kent to the Royal Microscopical Society in 
November, and will be found in the reports of their Transactions.* 
Careful illumination and good objectives seem necessary to see 
the “ hyaline collar ” or funnel and the slender whip distinctly. 
When warmer weather arrives, ponds in various localities should 
be diligently searched for these interesting and beautiful 
objects. 
Some papers concerning fungi which have been written 
* u Monthly Microscopical Journal,” Dec. 1871. 
