480 RECORD OF SCIENCE FOR 1886. 



Fhysiolofjy of the unstriatcd muscles of invertebrates. — The physiology 

 of the nnstriated muscles of invertebrates has been investigated by Mr. 

 II. D. Varigny, and, asa result, lie came to the conclusion that "no essen- 

 tial difference exists between the uustriated and the striated muscles. 

 The nnstriated muscles, under certain conditions, even surpass the 

 striated ones from a physiological point of view. In the invertebrata 

 their role is an important one, for whilst remaining the active agents of 

 the movements of nutrition, they become the agents of voluntary move- 

 ments, and in contact with the nerves of voluntary motion derive such an 

 energy and acquire such a' perfect physiological development that they 

 occupy in the functional hierarchy a superior rank to that of certain 

 striated mnscles, whilst the striated muscle is the most perfect and most 

 developed contractile agent, and the one whose evolution is most ad- 

 vanced." In fine, "there is no ground for dividing the physiology of 

 muscles into two classes," the differences existiug in certain points being 

 not essential, but of secondary moment only. (J. R. M. S. (2), v, p. 791.) 



PROTOZOANS. 



General. 



A new classification of protozoa. — In an article entitled "Protozoa," 

 published in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Prof. E. Ray Lankester has 

 given his views as to the best mode of grouping all the protozoa, in 

 which he includes the mycetozoa. He admits no less than thirteen 

 classes in the sub-kingdom, which he segregates under two groups or 

 " grades." The names and relations of the various classes will appear 

 in the subjoined tabular enumeration : 



PKOTOZOA. 



Grade A. — Gymnomijxa. 



Section. Class. 



Proteana I. Proteomyxa (Vampyrella, Protoiuyxa, Archerina). 



Plasmodiata II. Mijceto'oa (Eumycetozoa). 



LoBosA III. Lobosa {Amaba, Arcella). 



f IV. Labnjrinihulidea (Labyrintlmla, Clihuiiydoniyxa). 

 J V. Heliozoa (Actinophrys). 



^1 VI. lielmduria {Oromia, Lititolu, Antrorhiza, Globiycrina). 



l^VII. liadiolaria. (Very uiimeious.) 



Grade B. — Corticata. 



LiPOSTOMA I. Sporozoa {Grcgarina, Coceidium). 



( II. FlageUata {Monas, Knglcna, J'olvox.) 



I III. DinoJi(t(jeUata. (Prorocintrum, Ceratium.) 



Sto.matopiio:ia { IV. liliynchojiagelluia. (Noctiliica.) 



I V. Ciliata. {Vorlicdla, Paramoecium, Stentor.) 

 I, VI. Acineiaria. (A acincta, Diadrosoma.) 



(Enc. Brit., 9th ed., xix, 830-SGG.) 



