Enchytraeidae 191 



Harris, E. J. 1935. Studies on living protoplasm. I. Streaming movements in 

 the protoplasm of the egg of Sabellaria alveolata L. J. Exper. Biol. 12:65. 



Hatt, P. 1922. La fusion experimental d'oeuf de Sabellaria alveolata L. et leur de- 

 veloppement. Arch, de Biol. 42:303. 



1932. Essais Experimentaux sur les Localizations Germihales dans l'oeuf 



d'un Annelide, Sabellaria alveolata L. Arch. d'Anat. Micr. 28:81. 



Pratt, H. S. 1935. Manual of the Common Invertebrate Animals. 



Verrill, A. E. and Smith, S. I. 1874. Report upon the Invertebrate Animals of 

 Vineyard Sound and Adjacent Waters. 



Waterman, A. J. 1934. Observations on reproduction, prematuration, and fer- 

 tilization in Sabellaria vulgaris. Biol. Bull. 67:97. 



Wilson, D. P. 1929. Larvae of the British Sabellarians. J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. 

 30:221. 



Class O/igoc/iaeta, Family enchytraeidae 



CULTIVATION OF ENCHYTRAEUS ALBIDUS 



Raymond F. Blount, University of Minnesota Medical School 



SUCCESS in the cultivation of Enchytraeus albidus is largely de- 

 pendent upon constant care and attention to small details in the 

 condition of the culture. The principal things to be considered in this 

 are the medium; moisture, and food. 



A dishpan is very satisfactory for a container although a tight wooden 

 box may be used. The latter is not so satisfactory since air and moisture 

 exchange at the sides and bottom make regulation difficult. In any case 

 the use of several small cultures rather than a large one is advisable. 

 There should be a cover to lessen evaporation. In addition to this the 

 surface of the medium may be partially covered by small pieces of 

 slate or stones, or glass jar covers. 



The medium is a light loam soil of such a character that it does not 

 easily harden when dry, while on the other hand it should not be sandy. 

 It should not be too great in quantity, as the worms should congregate 

 in masses for breeding. A depth of 2 or 3 inches is best, for if too 

 shallow it is difficult to regulate the moisture. 



The culture should be kept in a place where the temperature is such 

 that multiplication is encouraged, but relatively low. The range is wide 

 but the optimum is probably around 20 C. 



There should be sufficient moisture to allow free motility of the worms 

 but not enough to bring them to the surface except as they may travel 

 on the under side of pieces of slate or stone resting on the surface of the 

 dirt. They are visible here if glass is used for this purpose. They 

 should not congregate in this position however. In a rich culture the 

 movement of the worms is audible. The addition of water is by 

 sprinkling rather than by pouring and should be frequent and light. 



