418 ZOOLOGY. 



Tentaculifera. 

 Manpas (E.) Contributions h I'^tude des Acin6tien8. Ai-ch. Zool. Ex))6nm., t. 9, pp. 

 299-308. 



Kenfs classification of the Protozoans. 



A new classification of the Protozoans having several novel features, 

 and disregarding views now quite generally prevalent, has been proposed 

 by Mr. W. Saville Kent in a " Manual of the Protozoa." Of the " sub- 

 kiugdom" in question, four classes are admitted and systematically 

 treate.d, viz: 



(1.) Pantostomata, without a true oral orifice, the food being indif- 

 ferently ingested through the surface. The groups referable to this class 

 are the Amcebina, Gregarinida, Foraminifera, Radiolaria, and restricted 

 Flagellata, 



(2.) DiscoSTOMATA, without a true oral orifice, but raking in their food 

 within the limits of a discoidal aqfa occupyin g the anterior extremity of 

 the body. Its groups are the "Choano-flagellatse" (collar-bearing Fla- 

 gellatai) and the Spougida. 



(3.) EusTOMATA, having a true mouth and containing the greater part 

 of the infusoria, viz : Ciliata, Cilio-flagellata, and "such Flagellata as 

 Englena and Chilomonas." 



(4.) PoLYSTOMATA, "with teutaclc-like organs radiating from the 

 periphery, each of which serves as a tubular sucking-mouth or for grasp- 

 ing food," including the " Suctorial animalcules or Tentaculifera of 

 Huxley {Acineta, &c.)." 



It will be thus seen that the old view as to the relations of the sponges 

 is still adhered to and the interpretation of the facts from the light of 

 development is rejected. (J. E. M. S., 2, I, 615-616.) 



Transparent Anima Icules. 



The waters of Lake Maggiore and the spring of Valcuvia have been 

 recently examined by Professor Maggi, and by various coloring and 

 hardening re-agents a number of forms not otherwise visible have been 

 revealed under the microscope. These have been collectively designated 

 as Aphaneri (not evident) and contrasted with the Phaneri (evident), 

 which term designates the bacteria and other minute organisms visible 

 under the microscope without re-agents. The Aphaneri are thought 

 to be harmless. It is proposed to sujiply the city of Milan with water 

 from the lake. — {Nature, v. 25, ji. 348.) 



A neiv primary Group of Infusorians. 

 In the mesoderm of a certain Planarian worm {Convoluta schulzii) 

 occur cells which are about the size of the red blood-corpuscles of a 

 frog, and which are of a curved pyriform shape, and have a large cen- 

 tral vacuole filled with fluid. From the wall of this cavity, towards the 

 convex side of the cell, arise homogeneous transparent fibrillar in a row 

 which is almost parallel with its principal axis. These cells, when free 

 in salt-water, manifest arhythmical contractility, " the rapidity and vigor 

 of which are equally surprising, the most active pulsating from 100 to 



