Mr. J.M. Kirk read a paper on the “Lower Forms of Animal Life”, being a continuation of that given by him during the last session.

After giving an interesting resume of the researches of Ehrenberg and other more recent observations, he proceeded to describe and explain the leading characters of the important class of miniature aquatic animals known as Rotifers or wheel animalcules.

These derive their name from the occurrence of a fringe of  hairs or cilia round the mouth. The peculiar appearance of this fringe in motion (resembling a revolving wheel) is due to the rapid alternate rise and fall of the hairs of which it is composed. This serves the double purpose of locomotion and of creating in the surrounding water currents which convey to the mouth of the animal the food upon which it subsists.

Several other interesting animalcules were also described and their peculiarities pointed out. The paper was illustrated by a number of very beautiful and effective drawings.