the rotifera

Throughout the whole of the work Dr. Hudson 1ms had the invaluable assistance
of Mr. Gosse's MS. notes, and of his close and constant revision of the proofs.
The hearty thanks of the authors are due to Mr. Frank Crisp, one of the
secretaries of the Royal Microscopical Society, and editor of its Journal, for the
great service that he has rendered them by forwarding early notices of all the
pamphlets and papers published on the subject: anyone who is, or has been,
engaged in a task similar to this will know what time and labour have thus been
spared, by his thoughtful kindness.
They are, too, greatly indebted to numerous kind correspondents for living
specimens, often obtained with no little expenditure of time and trouble, and for
the records of their observations on them ; as well as for valuable preparations
of rare species, which could not be sent alive : to these correspondents the
authors tender their grateful thanks. In each case where the specimen was new
or rare the name of the place in which it was found, and (when permitted) the
name also of the finder, has been added to the description. They wish, however,
to make special mention of how much they owe to Miss Saunders of Cheltenham,
Miss Davies of Woolston, Dr. F. Collins, and Mr. John Hood of Dundee, for their
constant kindness in sending a profuse number of specimens of many species,
some of which were of unusual interest.
It is so natural to recommend one's own favourite pursuit that the recommendation
often carries but little weight; and yet there is much to be said in
favour of the study of the Rotifera, that cannot be gainsaid. They are to be
found almost everywhere ; they cost nothing; they require neither expensive
lenses nor an elaborate apparatus; they tempt us to explore the country, and to
take pleasant walks; they are beautiful themselves; and they suggest all kinds
of difficult questions on life and being. Moreover there is happily still a great
store of scientific ignorance concerning them, thus leaving an ample field for
fresh discoveries.
Nor is this all. The study of these animated specks (in which teeth, stomach,
muscles, and even a brain lie hidden in the compass of an invisible mote) irresistibly
leads the mind to the contemplation of Him, whose almighty hand is as
visible in an atom of this animated dust, as it is in the myriad sparkles of the
starlit heavens.
C. T. II.
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