North Otago appears to be particularly favourable to Rotifers, and it is interesting to note that most of the species are more numerous in the late winter months than at any other time of the year; indeed, they almost entirely disappear in autumn and early winter. This is, I believe, just the reverse of what takes place in Europe, and is probably due to the fact that most of our ponds and streams dry up towards the end of summer. Low temperatures seem to have very little effect on them, and it will be remembered that Mr. James Murray, of the “Nimrod” Expedition, found living Rotifers frozen under 20 ft. of ice in a small lake at Cape Royds, South Victoria Land. It is somewhat remarkable that there should be such a dearth of new species in the locality under consideration. One might imagine that in New Zealand especially there would be some departure from the stereotyped forms of the Northern Hemisphere, but this has not proved the case in our district at any rate, and it may be attributed to the well-known fact that Rotifers and their eggs may be conveyed long distances by wind and the feathers of migratory birds.

For assistance in procuring specimens I wish to thank Miss Gore and Miss Lory, of Oamaru; Mr. G. Howes, of Dunedin; and my assistant, Arthur Willetts.