44 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING 'JO 



Pantopoda, and gives an annotated list of those known from the 

 Temperate Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. He describes Nymplion 

 stenocJmr sp. n. 



«• Crustacea. 



Variation of Green Gland of Crayfish.* — E. Hindle describes a 

 specimen of Astacus fluviatilis that had on eacli side an accessory opening 

 behind the ordinary one. A duct was found in the posterior papilla, as 

 well as in the normal position. The variation supports the view that 

 the green glands constitute a pair of nephridia. 



Abnormality in Copulatory Appendage of Crayfish.t — A. Briot 

 describes an interesting anomaly in a male specimen of Astacus fluviatilis, 

 which showed a jointed copulatory appendage on the right side. The 

 outer side of the appendage shows six joints, the inner side only four. 

 In other words, the jointing was not quite complete, but there was 

 evidently an attempt at a thoracic limb. 



Daily Life of Cambarus bartonius.J — F. E. Chichester has made 

 a study of the daily life and activities of the crayfish Cambarus bartoniu*. 

 Two tanks were used, one containing running water with a sloping bank 

 of sand, the other still water with a raised bank of mud covered with 

 moss and kept damp. Constant observations were also made in the 

 open, a strong acetylene light being used at night, and these showed 

 that the behaviour of the crayfish in the tanks was normal. The 

 observer finds that crayfish are most active at night, and that there is 

 marked activity at nightfall and at daybreak. Feeding usually takes 

 place at night, but may also occur through the day. In spring the 

 crayfish eats much more often than in winter ; there is apparently --a 

 consuming hunger after the spring moult. The species in question 

 prefers fresh animal food to anything else. Feeding is followed by rest, 

 prolonged periods of feeding being followed by equally prolonged 

 periods of rest. There is apparently no spontaneous play or exercise, 

 movements being purely utilitarian. 



Tne female aerates her eggs both on land and in water. One female 

 was observed to climb the mud bank, aerate her eggs for a few 

 moments, and return to deep water, 84 times in 12 hours. The males 

 do not distinguish between other males and females, but frequently 

 grasp other males and attempt to copulate with them. 



The crayfish frequently comes into the shallows and raises its 

 carapace above water. Combing or cleaning movements are executed 

 by means of the first and second ambulatory appendages, with which 

 the crayfish scrapes the carapace. 



Breeding-periods of Portuguese Crustaceans.§ — Luiz Gonzaga 

 Do Nascimento discusses the periods of growth and reproduction in 

 Palinurus vulgaris, Homarus vulgaris, Cancer jnu/urus, Carcinus mamas, 

 Maja squiii ado, and other well-known Crustaceans. 



* Zool. Anzeig., xxxiii. (1908) pp. 584-5 (2 figs.), 

 t C.R. Soc. Biol. Paris, lxiv. (1908) pp. 1182-3. 

 % Arner. Nat., xlii. (1908) pp. 710-16. 

 § Boll. R. Soc. Espail. Hist. Nat , 1908. pp. 1-S. 



