Marvels of Pond-life

means of locomotion-A Triarthra (three-limbed Rotifer)-The Brachion or Pitcher Rotifer-Its striking form-

supplied some more specimens of the Pterodina patina, described in a previous chapter; but towa

the distance glows with the rich purples so much admired in the pictures of Linnel, and the sunsets light up earth and sky with the golden tints he is so well able to reproduce. Probably the warmth of

ing to take up a portion of one of these patches the whole disappeared, although when the disturbance ceased the rich colour again clothed the dingy mud. The appearance was caused by thousands of little worms, belonging to the genus Tubifex, not uncommon in such situations, who thrust themselves out to enjoy the light and air, and retreat the moment an alar

monad-

hich did not even exhibit the little disks of duckweed that are common to such situations. There was, however, on the surface, in parts, an exceedingly fine scum of pale yellow green, and this, armed with a teaspoon, we proceeded to attack. By careful skimming, a small bottle was half-filled with minute organic particles, which were likely to be interesting in themselves, and pretty sure to be

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ich their locomotion was effected. To find out how this was done, a higher power was used, and from their extreme minuteness an amplification of seven hundred and twenty linear was conveniently employed, although a lower one (three or four hundred) disclosed the secret by showing that a little whip was flourished about through the neck, which the lower power revealed. When highly magnified, each little globe was seen to consist of an outer case of a reddish orange

ion to the assertion of some writers that Trachelomonad

e to win, is a mighty question equal at least to the famous controversy, which

Carter affirm that they have detected a contractile vesicle, which would assimulate them to the animal series, but their general behaviour is vegetable; and the 'Mi

art

by ciliary tufts, and two bright red eyes twinkled with a knowing look. From each shoulder proceeded a long curved spine, and about two thirds down the body, and lying between the two long spines, a shorter one was articulated, which followed the same curve. A gizzard was busy in the breast, and the body terminated in two short toes, which grasped a large round egg. Whenever the cilia were drawn in, the three spines were thrown up; but they had an independent motion of their own, and every

o the spines which a mere skin could not do. As Mr. Gosse remarks of an allied genus, the Polyarthra, or Many-limbed Rotifer, this creature could not be investigated without coming to the conclusion "Here again we have true jointed limbs

ccidentally reversed by the engraver, which al

and also some longer and stiff cilia, or slender spines, which do not exhibit the rotatory movement. The ciliary apparatus is in reality continuous, but it more often presents the appearance of several divisions, and the lateral cilia frequently hang over the sides. From the large size of each cilium they are very favorable creatures for exhibiting the real nature of the action, which gives rise to the rotatory appearance, and which can be easier studied than described. By movements, partly from their base, and partly arising from the flexibility of their structure,

that did actually prove too large and too tough, and which, after many ineffectual efforts, was suddenly cast out. As soon as food has passed the gizzard, it is assisted in its journey by more ciliary currents, which are noticeable in the capacious stomach, in the neighbourhood of which the secreting and other vessels are readily observed. Just over the gizzard blazes

two short conical toes, protruded from a tube-like sheath, and capable of adhering firmly even to a substance so slippery as glass. This tail may be observed to indicate a variety of emotions, if we can ascribe such feelings to a rotifer, and it answers many purposes. Now we see it cautiously thrust forth, and turned this way and that, exploring like an el

much in appearance, according to the direction in which they are seen, and a side view makes them look so different from a full front or back aspect, that it would be easy to suppose another animal was under observation. The extent to which the ciliary apparatus is protruded,