DREPAXOMEXIA VAMPYRELLA. 79 



the foot arises as a single, small prominence and rapidly assumes its fully devel- 

 oped condition. Posteriorly it gradually decreases in size, disappearing, so far 

 as may be judged from longitudinal sections, at a point immediately in front 

 of the gonoduct openings. 



The general relations of the anterior section of the digestive tract are fully 

 represented in Plate 7, fig. 4. As will be seen the atrial opening is subterminal 

 in position and of medium size. The relations of the succeeding parts, while 

 much the same as in Proneomenia, for example, are somewhat obscured by the 

 protrusion of the pharynx. An outer ridge, composed of the usual type of col- 

 umnar cell though apparently lacking cilia (Mundleist), is present. The inner 

 ridge, probably related as in other species, has in the present specimen been 

 carried out on the tip of the pharynx, an interesting fact as it indicates that these 

 cells may be sensory, and of service in determining the character of the animal's 

 food or sunoundings. Between these two prominences the usual cirrose area 

 is present, the cirri being of relatively large size and unbranched. It has been 

 suggested that the cirri, secreting a viscous material, may serve in the capture 

 and retention of food. Here, however, is an animal killed in the act of feeding 

 with its proboscis penetrating its host. The material drawn into the pharynx 

 does not come into contact with the cirri, which in this case must certainly have 

 some other function, though it is difficult to say what this may be. 



In its present extended condition the pharynx is relatively slender, almost 

 wholly devoid of longitudinal folds and is relatively muscular. Heavy retractor 

 muscles attach to the buccal wall and serve to withdraw the pharynx, that ap- 

 pears to lack sjiecial retractors of its own. In some species of Neomenia the 

 ventral salivary glands are described as being more or less coiled; in the present 

 species this would probably be the case, but with the protrusion of the pharynx 

 their openings into the canal have been carried forward until they are very close 

 to the end of the proboscis. Each gland is unbranched, composed of excessively 

 spongy cells and is possessed of a relatively large lumen, and a length of fully 

 one fourth that of the hotly. In view of tlie fact that Drepanomenia has no 

 radula it appears probable that the salivary secretion exercises a solvent action 

 on the tissues of its victim, and the lifjuified material is then sucked in. The 

 digestive tract in the present case is well filled with a finely granular substance 

 in which one may recognize here and there the remains of cells, chiefly repro- 

 ductive, belonging to its host. 



As may be .seen (Plate 7, fig. 4), the stomach-intestine extends forward a 

 considerable distance in front of its union with the pharynx, thus forming an 



