RESEARCHKS IN HELMINTHOLOGY AND PARASITOLOGY. 29 



pected that there might be phenomena here presented analogous to 

 the alternation of generation in certain animals, but had not yet 

 satisfied himself that such was the case. 



He also stated that he had discovered a fourth species of Ente- 

 robrus in Polydesiiius virginiensis and another entophyte analogous to 

 Enterobriis growing in Polydesuius granulatus. The latter differs 

 from E7iterobrus in having numerous globular cells at the free ex- 

 tremity of the principal cell. He adverted to the several theories 

 of cell formation, and said that in the last-mentioned plant in the 

 development of the globular terminal cells the division of the per- 

 manent cell wall followed the division of the cell contents. In con- 

 clusion, he observed that these matters would be more full)^ treated 

 of hereafter in a memoir which he was preparing on the .subject.* 



[April, 1850. No. 54. See Bibliography.] 

 DESCRIPTION OF NEW ENTOPHYTA GROWING WITHIN ANIMALS. 



Eccrhiai; (Gen. Nov.). — Characters .same as >5";//(^7f^)';7c,s-,.;; except 

 that it divides into numerous cells at the free extremity. 



Eccrina louga. — Filaments long and delicate, hyaline, or faintly 

 brownish, at first forming a .simple curve or a single spiral turn and 

 then passing in a straight line to the free extremity. Peduncle 

 very short. Frond cell usually filled with globules, and a few 

 granules, except at free end, where it is usually filled with granules, 

 10 the exclusion of the globules. End cells as high as thirty in 

 number, at first consisting of elongated divisions of the frond cell 

 contents, but becoming distinct elliptical cells from two to three 

 times longer than the breadth ; contents usually granular, occasion- 

 ally with a few globules. End cells finally separating from the 

 parent. Length from three to seven lines ; breadth i -2000th to 

 I -5 17th inch, not usually corresponding to the length. End cells 

 I -5 1 7th to I -357th inch in length. 



Habitat. — Grows in very great profusion from the mucous mem- 

 brane of the posterior part of the intestine of Polydesmns virginiensis. 



(Dr. L. exhibited to the Academy a preserved fragment of mucous 

 membrane, with filaments of this species six lines in length growing 

 from it.) 



* No. 131. See Bibliography. 

 t Eccrina : Kyyii'.\>u) segrego. 

 % Proc. Acad., Oct. 9, 1849. 



