A New Rotifer, Lacinularia striolata. 27 



fresh specimen they are difficult to keep in view when the 

 undulating movement ceases. It may be interesting to call 

 attention to a certain degree of analogy existing between the 

 vibratile tags and the tube-bearing cells (solenocytes) in the 

 nephridia of the Polychete worms ISTephthys, Glycera, and 

 Goniada.^ The " solenocytes " in these worms consist of thin 

 walled tubes opening into the lumen of the nephridium and 

 terminated by a solid mass of protoplasm from which a flagellum 

 hangs down the tube. These tubes are in pairs in Nephthys 

 scolflpendroides, and are supported at the extremities by cells 

 forming a "crook." In Glycera convobitus the resemblance is 

 closer, there being no support, and the tube is "flattened from side 

 to side," has "the appearance of being delicately fluted." In the 

 case of the vibratile tags and solenocytes both are bathed in the 

 coelomic fluid, and have no opening into the coelom. The only 

 differences in the case of Glvcera being the existence of a 

 flagellum in place of an undulating membrane, and the base 

 of the cell being broad instead of narrow. 



Secreting Glands. — In addition to the cells opening into the 

 pharynx and the gastric glands mentioned already, there are 

 two large flattened bodies lying on either side of the mastax and 

 close to the surface of the disc. These bodies are conspicuous 

 in the living animal when they appear of a yellowish colour. 

 Seen in section they stain very similarly to the pharyngeal 

 glands (Fig. 6, s.g.), but no duct or communication could be 

 found, and I feel unable to offer a suggestion as to their function. 

 From the lower part of the intestine the whole of the foot is 

 occupied with foot glands, one of which is shown in section 

 (Fig. 5, m.g.). Even where the foot has become greatly 

 attenuated they are present. That some of them secrete mucous 

 which is discharged at the termination of the foot seems certain, 

 but possibly they are also concerned in the formation of the 

 gelatinous matrix of the colony, but this I propose to deal with 

 later. These foot glands stain readily and show a distinct 

 nucleus. In the young female they are very numerous and 

 closely packed (Fig. 4, m.g.), rendering the whole foot almost 

 opaque. In addition there are glands near the termination of 



1 E. S. Goodrich on the Nephridia of the Polychaete Worms. Q.J.M.S., vol xl., p. 191. 

 vol. xli., pp. 442, 452. 



