554 SUMMAEY OF CUEEENT EESEAECHES EELATING TO 



passes to the body-cavity, thence by the kidneys to the exterior. Hence 

 the polian tubes in Sipunculus function as hsemolytic, lymphogenic, and 

 excretory organs. 



Sex Phenomena in Protodrilus.* — TJmberto Pierautoni has found 

 some new species of Protodrilus, and from amongst the known forms 

 has established a number of facts regarding sex phenomena in this 

 genus. The sexual organs occupy the region immediately following the 

 segments containing the salivary glands. In a very few cases they co- 

 exist with the salivary glands in the anterior segments. The eggs 

 usually arise from ovaries, like those of other Annelids, in connection 

 with the cells of the somatic peritoneal investment or of the septa. In 

 a few species the eggs may arise from the splanchnopleure. In such 

 cases there are no true ovaries, but isolated eggs at various parts of the 

 body. The testes, which occupy the segments behind the salivary region, 

 are not dissimilar to those of Chatopoda. The spermatogenesis is 

 described. Hermaphroditism is normal in Protodrilus, but in every 

 species a few individuals occur which have spermatozoa alone in the 

 posterior segment. These individuals may be considered as comple- 

 mentary males. They may occur throughout the whole period of sex 

 maturity. Liberation of the sex-products takes place by dehiscence of 

 the posterior segments. Self-fertilisation takes place in the water but 

 not within the body-cavity. The sperms are liberated in groups and 

 become detached only in the water in the hermaphrodite forms. 



Morphology of Dinophilus conklini sp. n.f — J. A. Nelson describes 

 this new form, which is known only in the aquaria of Pennsylvania 

 University. There are 6 segments in the body, the cephalic bands are 

 interrupted dorsally, there is a circumanal band, and the anterior pair 

 of nephridia is complex. The metamerism is well indicated by the body- 

 wall and its mucous glands, the nephridia, and the nervous system. In 

 the structure of the first pair of nephridia and of the nervous system 

 there are marked indications of a tendency to cephalisation. Close 

 affinities with Chastopod AnneUds are evident. 



Distribution of Chaetognatha.l — C. A. Kofoid discusses the pos- 

 sible significance of the facts of horizontal and vertical distribution 

 of Ch^tognatha as far as these are known. Coincident distribution of 

 related species appears to be a widespread phenomenon amongst these 

 pelagic organisms. Isolation is not likely to be a factor here in the 

 evolution of species, but it is a question whether couples of coincident 

 species, e.g. Sagitta furcata and S. planctonis are not merely the extremes 

 of an environmental series beginning in the warm surface waters and 

 ending in deep waters of lower temperature. 



Nematohelmintlies . 



Case of Human Trichinosis.§ — C. Remy describes the case of a 

 man, aged 45, who was accidentally discovered on the operating table to 

 be suffering from trichinosis. The infected muscles, which otherwise 



* Mitt. Zool. Station Neapel, xviii. (1907) pp. 437-9. 



t Proc. Acad. Sci. Philadelphia, lix. (1907) pp. 82-143 (2 pis.). 



X Amer. Nat., xli. (1907) pp. 241-51. 



§ C.E. Soc. Biol. Paris, Ixii. (1907) pp. 985-7. 



