384 CHAS. W. HARGITT. 



expect some trace of them in some specimens, at any rate. But 

 none could be recognized. 



Nematophores were distinguishable, and in a general way seemed 

 similar to those described by Levinsen. They are elongated 

 structures, cylindrical in shape, and with terminal thecoid organs 

 which are smaller than the hydrothecae, much smaller indeed, 

 but with no peculiar or distinguishing features. In many cases 

 the definite organization of the nematophore was distinguishable, 

 and the knobbed heads were found loaded with numerous nema- 

 tocysts which measured about 0.015 to 0.02 mm. in length by 

 about one third of this in diameter. In shape the nematophores 

 may be designated as elongate-clavate ; and are probably pro- 

 trusible in life beyond the nematothecae as organs of defense, or 

 offense, according to circumstances. 



In connection with the account of the morphology there should 

 have been mentioned a matter of interest, as well as of difficulty, 

 namely, that concerned with the attempts to dissect and separate 

 the elements of the complex stem structure. The usual resort 

 to boiling with potash or caustic soda, while affording some aid 

 in clearing out the organic contents of the tubes, afforded very 

 small aid in isolating the elements. Even when macerated for 

 hours or days in strong solutions, or after prolonged boiling, so 

 far as my own efforts were concerned, the macerating processes 

 availed but little. And when resort was had to javelle water the 

 consequences were worse, for with that agent both the cement 

 substance and the chitinous perisarc itself were attacked about 

 equally, and the end was, naturally, the disintegration of the en- 

 tire mass. 



I was interested to find a similar experience recorded by All- 

 man (pp. cit., p. 47). Of the adhesion of the tubes of Gram- 

 maria he says : "So intimate is this adhesion that I have found 

 no treatment, even prolonged boiling in caustic potash, of in any 

 way overcoming it. Gramniaria in this respect presents a strikr 

 ing contrast to Cryptolaria, as well as other genera of the Peri- 

 siphonidae, in all of which maceration in a solution of caustic 

 potash so weakens the adhesion of the tubes to one another that 

 they may then be easily separated by the dissecting needle." 



All in all, we have in this hydroid one of the most interesting, 



