ZOOLOGY. 495 



seat of the poison, therein agreeing with Salkowski." (Zeitschr. f. 

 Naturwiss., Lix, pp. GO-62 ; J. E. M. S. (2), vi, p. 587.) 



Pteropods. 



The food ofpteropods. — In a memoir ou the systematic relations and 

 biology of pl:eroi)ods, Dr. J. E. Y. Boas, of Copenhagen, has given de- 

 tails as to the food of seven species of pteropods, *. e., Limacina balea, 

 L. helicina, Cleodora pyramidata, Ili/alcva trispinosa, Cuvierinacolumnella^ 

 and an undetermined species of Tiedmannia. The food of these species 

 varies according to the temperature of the water in which the species 

 abound; those found in warm water bad a specially rich and varied 

 assortment of food. The GloMgerince and Acanthometrce, and other radi- 

 olarians contributed to the food of most of the species. Infusorians 

 were also largely partaken of, and especially a goodly portion of Tin- 

 tinnoidea were found in almost all of the species.; cocospheres and dia- 

 toms were also found in the food of several species. Very few animals 

 or plants of a higher grade of organization formed any portion of the 

 contents of the stomach. Only in two species were there found any 

 remains of crustaceans ; in one fragments of a copcpod being found, and 

 in another remains of an undetermined crustacean. (Zool. Jahrbiicher, 

 I, pp. 311-340.) 



Families of gymnosomatous pteropods. — A remarkable gymnosomatous 

 pteropod was obtained by the U. S. Fish Commission steamer Alhatross 

 off the coast of Carolina, in north latitude 38^ 10', west longitude 71° 

 15'. It measured 8"^™ in length, and has been made known by Mr. Paul 

 Pelsener under the name N'otohranchcea macdonaldii. It has the " body 

 contracted behind, presenting only a posterior branchia formed by 

 three crests (one dorsal and two lateral), of which the dorsal one 

 alone is fringed ;" the anterior and posterior lobes of the foot are long 

 and narrow and the former free for the posterior two thirds. These 

 characters contrast in one or other respects with all the other repre- 

 sentatives of the suborder, and have been regarded by Mr. Pelsener 

 as of family value. The family is named Notobranchaeidse. 



The other families of Gymnosomota are as follows : 



In the Pneumodennatidw, the visceral envelope presents a specialized 

 branchial apparatus, and acetabuliferous buccal appendages are de- 

 veloped. 



In the Clionopsidce, the visceral envelope presents a specialized bran- 

 chial apparatus, but no acetabuliferous buccal appendages are devel- 

 oped. 



In the Clionidce, the visceral envelope presents no special branchial 

 apparatus, and the body is elongated and pointed behind. 



In the Halopsychidcv, the visceral envelope also i)resents no special 

 branchial apparatus, but the body is ovoid and rounded behind. (Ann, 

 and Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), xix, pp. 79, 80.) 



