DENDEOSOilA EADIANS, EHEENBEEG. 
149 
the specimens from the Bridgewater canal, and we have no 
hesitation in naming them Dendrosoma radians Ehren- 
berg. It is a matter of opinion whether the specimens from 
the Bridgewater canal are sufficiently distinct to justify the 
constitution of a new species. After careful consideration 
we have come to the conclusion that they are not. All the 
pi'incipal differences, except that of the number of the micro- 
nuclei, may very probably be due to the direct influence of 
the environment. 
Fooju 
For some time we were unable to record any observations 
on the food of Dendrosoma, the animal appearing to be 
very refractory in this respect as compared with Dendroco- 
m e tes. 
We have frequently observed small Ciliata and Flagellata 
swimming freely among the suckers, and even bumping up 
against them, without harm to themselves or producing any 
reaction in the suckers. In September of last year, however, 
we obtained in the plankton of some ponds near Manchester 
specimens of Buplotes and of a green Paramecinm 
bursaria; and, on passing some of these under the cover- 
slip of a preparation of living Dendrosoma, several were 
caught and held fast by the suckers, and the process of 
feeding began. The astonishing feature of the pheuomenon 
is that Dendrosoma seems to prefer such large prey. A 
Euplotes lOO/j in length will be held and devoured by a 
Dendrosoma arm that is not more than lo/u in diameter 
(fig. :I0). 
When an Infusorian is captured by a Dendrosoma it is not 
paralysed, but continues to lash its cilia with as great, or 
even greater, activity than before. It is almost painful to 
watch a Euplotes struggling to escape its doom. It will 
make a violent effort to move forward and then fall back 
exhausted for a few seconds, or it will endeavour to spin 
