246 



\VM. A. KEPNER AND JOHN F. BARKER. 



TABLE II. 

 NEMATOCYSTS OF Microstoma MANY. 



the twelfth day. With this fact in mind a " loaded " specimen 

 was kept away from food for nine days. It was placed with 

 Hydra at the end of the ninth day and remained with it for two 

 more days without accepting Hydra. This was not due to the 

 Microstoma' s condition having been so greatly lowered that it 

 could not accept food. For when it was taken from Hydra and 

 given a piece of tadpole liver, the Microstoma immediately ac- 

 cepted it. The facts tabulated in these two tables indicate that 

 a Microstoma with few or no nematocysts attacks a Hydra much 

 more readily than does one with many or a full quota. 



Microstoma MAY EGEST CELLS OF Hydra AND RETAIN 



NEMATOCYSTS. 



Another contrast may be drawn between the conduct of a 

 Microstoma that has few or no nematocysts and that of one 

 that has a full quota of nematocysts. If a Microstoma that 

 contains a Hydra, so long ingested that the polyp has been re- 

 duced to a pulp, be placed under slight pressure it will discharge 



1 Not starved since it had eaten Hydia as specimen 14. 



