176
MR. P. W. PHILLIPS ON A
wise. For i t is not possible that any nnimal should be able to
ascertain tho direction of a source of smell, unless the animal,
being freely locomotive, is able, by moving about, to perceive tho
differential intensity of the olfactory sensation as it approaches
o r recedes from such a body. But a Sea-anemone, being stationary, has no opportunity of thus distinguishing the direction
from ahich the odour is proceeding ; i t can only be affected by
tho odour as this occurs pretty equally diffused around its own
organism.
Note on a new Ci1itbt.n Inhisorian allied to Pleuronemtr.
By FREDERICK
TV. PHILLIPS,
F.L.S.
[Read June 15, 1882.1
CALYPTOTBICHA
+,n: gen.
Animalcules loncate, sedenfary, more or less ovate or pyriform, clothed
with flexible, non-vibratile, sctose ciliz. Oral aperture ventral. A vibratory membranous hood or velum. Contractile vesicles and nucleus present, and trichocysts in cortical layer.
C.AI,YPTOTEICHA
PLECROSWSOIDEYt, 11. sp.
The adult form provided with an elongo-ovate, transparent, hyaline lorica, opening teat-like a t both ends. Body-cilia about two
thirds the body in length, with shorter, etronger vibratile cilia at
entrance of velum ; the velum almost equal to the ventral length.
Nucleus centrally situate, and two rhythmically contractilo
vesicles pressnt. Anterior extremity of body protrusible from
lorica. Length 901 inch.
Hub. Pond-water.
The abore-named animalcule, which is now described for the
first time, was found attached to Myriophyllum, obtained froin a
pond near Hertford. At first sight I thought it waa an embryonic
or encysted stage of some monad ; but upon applying a magnifying-power of some 900 diameters, I observed that i t possessed a
eingular vibratile membrane, closely resembling that which characterizes the members of the family Pleuronemidz.
I observed that the animalcule was of nu ovate form, the body
being clothed with numerous long, flexible, but non-vibratile
cilia, of a setoee character ; that the membranous trap, or v e l ~ m ,
which in form resembled the old-fashioned poke-bonnet, con-
* ~ a X u a r b s veiled
,
or corerod ; O p X . hair.
t Trivial name in allusion to it8 resemblance to the genus PZeztronenra.
NEW OILIA'IE INFUBOBIAN.
477
etantly vibrated backwards arid forwards ; that the movements
of the animalcule consisted of rapid and continuous revolutions
Calyptotrich pku~atemoides,nob., in different stages of development.
A. Firat stage. B. The name, further developed. C. End view of lorica.
D. The perfect animal, like 'the otheni adhorent to the leaf of Myriophyllum.
E. Diagrammatic sketch of a momontiry view obtained of the ventral surface
in the act of protrusion ; the velum is drawn backwards.
Drawn from nature and all highly magnified.
on its longitudinal axie ; also thrit it was enclosed in an oval, imperforate, hyaline cyst or lorica. This first observation was made
on March 16th.
On March 23rd I discovered t;hat the lorica had increased in
size, and that one end was elongated into a teat-like form; the
contained animalcule had also :increased in size, and a slight
depression WSB visible on the ventral side at tho entrance t o the
velum. A t this stage, by an accident, the slide on which the
animal waa living became dried up, and I was unable t o follow
ita further development.
On March 28th I found several other specimens, one of which
had developed a most remarkable lorica, open a t both ends, and
of a symmetrical form. The enclosed animalcule was of a larger
size than those previously examinod. The body was somewhat
479
MR. F . W. PHILLIP6 OX A Y E W CILIATE ISFTSORIAX
pyriform ; thc relum woe g e n t l y elongated, extending almost
the entire leiigtli of the ventral surf:lce ; i n width i t had not incrrseed proporticmately.
The body-cilia were about, trro thirds of the diameter of the
body in length ; several shorter, powerful, vibratile cilia were
stationed nluiig the entrance of tho velum ; ttro rhythmically
contractile vesicles wore present, also a nucleus centrally situate.
Owing to the great nctivity of the animalcule, I could not make
out the oral aperture satisfactorily. I endeavoured to feed i t
mitli carmine, but was unsuccessful, because of its awkward situation i u the fork of tho meed ; but occasionally particles of matter
passed over tho outermost aperture of the lorica, which were
rnpidly swept within. Tho hyalino membrane vibrated continunlly ns before ; and I am inclined to thinlr it is an nctivo agent in
procuring food. Trichocjats werc developed in the cortical layer.
I t s niorements were much the same ns bcforo, except that they
wero more vigorous ; and occasiomlly thc anterior extremity
n-odd bo protruded from tho lorica ; it would also occasionally
reverse its position in tho lorica.
The nearest nlly of the present species appears to be found
in tlie typical genus Pleurmema, of the family Pleuronemida,
which is defined in Mr. Sarille Kent’s ‘ Nanual of the Infusoria,’
vol. ii. p. 642 (pt. 4, lSYl), but from all specific forme of which i t
differs in the possession of a membranous lorica.
I n his description of tho family and genus (op. cit.), thc nnimalcules are described as essentially free-swimming. But 1 hnvo
no reason to believe that the present species ever quits its habitation to assume tho habitual free-swimming character of all t.he
Yleuronemidto previously recorded, nor have I ever seen a n
empty lorica. I am further of opinion that this sedentary stage
is t h o mature condition.
Rfr. Kent remarks of Plcuronmna (1. c. p. 513) that the trap
may be compared t o the cxtensile hood of a carriage, or a n outsido
windowshade, and, when not in me, is packed in neat folds round
the animalcule’s mouth. I may mention, however, that I have
never obsorved any retraction of the hood-like process in Calyptotrich.
This peculiarity, its sedentary habit, and the presenco of o lorico
su5ciently, therefore, distinguish it from the genus compared.
I am indebted to Mr. Kent for kindly looking over my notes,
and suggeeting the generic and specific names here given.