143 



untersuchen, weshalb ich nur als Vermuthung aussprechen darf, dass 

 das Gefäßsystem des jungen Balmioglossus aus Muskelepithel besteht 

 und somit auch in dieser F>eziehung mit jungen Synapten überein- 

 stimmt. Die histologische Ähnlichkeit erstreckt sich auch auf die 

 Musculatur des Vorderdarms von Tornaria^ welche aus ganz gleichen 

 feinen Ringmuskelfibrillen besteht, wie bei sämmtlichen typischen 

 Echiuodermenlarven. Wie bei den letzteren, ist der Vorderdarm der 

 einzige Darmabschnitt der Tornaria. welcher deutliche Contractionen 

 zeigt und eine eigene Musculatur besitzt. 



(Schluss folgt.) 



4. On the Female Organs and Placentation of the Raccoon (Procyon lotor). 



By Morr. Watson, M.D., Professor of Anatomy in the Owens College, 

 Manchester. (Abstract.) 



The paper contains an anatomical description of the Female Or- 

 gans and Placenta of the Raccoon. The specimen examined contained but 

 a single foetus which was lodged in the right horn of the uterus. The 

 uterine mucous membrane of the unimpregnated horn was richly sup- 

 plied with glands which presented the usual structure. In the non- 

 placental area of the gravid horn these glands although present were 

 evidently undergoing degeneration and were with difficulty recognised 

 and then only in a fragmentary condition ; whilst in the placental area 

 of the uterine mucous membrane these glands had entirely disappeared. 



The author's observations upon the placenta oi Procyon lotor show 

 that in respect of this organ 



1) Procyon agrees with all other Carnivora in which that organ 

 has been hitherto examined in the possession of a zouary or annular 

 placenta ; 



2) That Procyon agrees with all of these in the mode of inter- 

 locking of the foetal and maternal portions of its placenta and in the 

 consequent deciduate character of that organ ; 



3) That Procyon agrees with the members of the plantigrade 

 section, at the same time that it differs from those composing both 

 the digitigrade and pinniped sections of the Carnivora in as much 

 as at one spot the placenta presents a deficiency or gap, at which spot 

 the placental structure is imperfect. 



4) That Procyon agrees with Cants at the same time that it 

 differs from. Felis in the absence of a continuous layer of Decidua 

 serotina from the uterine surface of the detached placenta. 



5) Th.a.t Procyofi differs from every other Carnivore, the placenta 

 of which has been minutely examined, in the possession of placental 



