SOURCE: "The Hothouse World" by Arthur K. Barnes   (Thrilling Wonder Stories, October 1937)

DESCRIPTION: "Without warning a rushing sound filled the air at their left, and a round gray ball rolled swiftly into view. It crossed their path dead ahead — propelling itself with dozens of stout cilia sprouting indiscriminately from all sides — then paused abruptly. The miniature forest of arms waved delicately and exploringly in the air as if trying to locate the source of a new disturbance. Then the fantastic thing rushed unerringly at the Carlyle party. All the hunters leaped for cover and let the juggernaut roll past. It stopped a few yards beyond with another waving of cilia, as if listening intently. Gerry pumped a hypodermic bullet at it, but the charge ripped glancingly off the armourlike lorica." ("The Hothouse World" by Arthur K. Barnes)

NOTES: The Rotifer is a blind roller than seeks its prey by touch, kind of like a killer sagebrush.

HISTORY: Barnes' tale is remonscient (in a good way) of the planetary tales of Stanley G. Weinbaum. His Venus has been well-thought out. See also The Murri,The Shovel-Mouth, The Venusians, The Whip, and Whiz-Bang Beetles.

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