348 ZOOLOGY. 



the foot of Tetliys* but at tlie same time it is conjectured that it does not 

 reside there permanently. This form has not been named, but has been 

 considered to be closely allied to GraffiUa muricicola. The pharynx was 

 feebly developed and appeared to be destitute of a sheath. Xo peripheral 

 nerves or special organs of sense or water- vessels were observed. The 

 female organs were well developed; but in none of the specimens 

 examined could the male organs be detected except in a rudimentary 

 condition. 



THE GROUPS OF NEMEETEAN WORMS. 



The Nemertean worms have been examined with relation to their genera 

 and systematic relations inter se by Dr. A. A. W. Hubrecht.t It is claimed 

 that the genera proposed for the European forms must be reduced to four- 

 teen. These are grouped, first, into two sections, one distinguished (HopJo- 

 7iernertini) by the mouth being in front of the ganglia and the proboscis 

 furnished with stylets, and the second {nameless) by the mouth situated 

 behind the ganglia and the ])roboscis destitute of stylets. The latter are 

 subdivided into (1) ScMzoiiemertini, distinguished by the development 

 of a deep lateral fissure on both sides of the head; and (2) Palwonem- 

 ertini, characterized by the absence of such fissures. The three groups 

 so named are designated as ^^ suborders." 



The suborders are essentially the same as the three families generally 

 admitted, and which are much better so designated than as suborders. 

 The genera admitted are segregated under nine ftimilies, and are, for (1) 

 the Hoplonemertini, Nemertes^ Oerstedia, ProsorhocJimuSy Tetrastemma, 

 AmpJiiporuSj and JJrepanophorus ; in (2) the Schizonemertini, Langia, 

 Cerebratulus, Borlasia, and Lineus, and in (3) the Pala?onemertini, 

 Valencinia, Folia, Cephalothrix, and Carinella. (Condensed from J. R. 

 M. 8.) 



The author seeks to determine the phylogeny of these forms, but 

 the data apjDarently are not suflicient for such purpose. 



A PARASITIC NEMERTEAN. 



More than a century ago (in 1779) O. F. Miiller described a worm w^hich 

 has, until lately, been regarded as being a kind of leech. This form 

 has been named Malacohdella grossa, and the specimens occur parasitic 

 in Cyprina Islandica. As indicated by the name, Malacohdella is charac- 

 terized by a very soft body, and its width is nearly the same as the 

 length, except in the region of the sucker ; its muscular system is charac- 

 teristic ; the mouth is ])laced at the anterior end and is a transverse 

 cleft ; the proboscis is white, and is destitute of any armature or si^ines ; 

 the pharynx very white and visible through the transparent integument ; 

 the intestine narrow and dark. On account of this union of characters 



* Laug (Arnold). Notiz liber einen neuen Farasiten der Tethys aus der AbtlieiluDg der 

 rliabdocoel en Turbellaiien. Mittheil. Zool. Station Neapel, vol. ii, pp. 107-112. 



t Hubrecht (A. A.W.). The Genera of European Nemerteans critically revised, with 

 descriptions of several new species. Notes Miis. Lci/dcn, No. iv, pj). 193-2^3. 



