102 QUARTERLY CHRONICLE. 



alveolar epithelium is continuous and complete. It covers the 

 capillaries in all directions. The cells which constitute it 

 present varieties in their disposition according to the different 

 classes of animals. 6. Amphibia. — Cells of uniform size, 

 flattened at that part which covers the capillaries, dilated 

 into an ampulla, enclosing the nucleus, at the intervals of the 

 capillaries. 7. Reptiles. — Two sorts of cells. One, the 

 smaller, containing a nucleus, united in groups in the inter- 

 vals of the capillaries ; the other, larger, flattened without 

 contents, placed between the groups of little cells, and cover- 

 ing over the capillaries. 8. Mammalia embryo. — Cells 

 regular and of uniform size. Newly-born. — A part of the 

 preceding cells increase in size and cover the capillaries ; the 

 others do not exhibit any change, and remain united in 

 groups in the meshes of the capillaries. Adults. — The cells 

 are united in smaller number to form the groups ; many 

 from among them are isolated. The large cells which 

 separate the groups seem to fuse themselves in part and take 

 the aspect of very thin and nearly amorphous membranous 

 plates. 



" On the Anatomy and Pliysiology of the Erect ile'Tissue in the 

 Genital Organs of Mammifers, Birds, and some other Verte- 

 brates," by Ch. Legros. — This is an excellent resume of the 

 subject, and is illustrated by five good plates. The most 

 detailed and careful account of the structures is given, and 

 certain new explanations given. 



" Zoological and Anatomical Researches on the Glyciphagi, 

 tvith Palmate or Plumose Hairs," by MM. Fumonze and Ch. 

 llobin. — Several species of Acaridians have been described in 

 his journal by M. Robin. In the last number we noticed 

 detailed studies of Tyroghjphus ; in the present the two 

 species of Glyciphagus, G. Palmifer and G. Plumiger, are 

 very fully described and figured in five plates. These forms 

 are chiefly remarkable for the very large branched hairs which 

 project from their bodies. G. Plumiger has hairs not unlike 

 those of the shore-crab, while those of G. Palmifer are broad 

 leaf-like expanses, exhibiting a central shaft and numerous 

 cross pieces. 



Miscellaneous. — A new Animal Colouring Matter in the 

 Spectroscope. Professor Church, of Cirencester, has dis- 

 covered a very interesting colouring matter in the crimson 

 feathers of the Turacou of South Africa, a bird which is well 

 known as sometimes washing out its own colour. Mr. Ray 

 Lankester in a paper read at the British Association at 

 Dundee, stated that he had failed to obtain any definite bands 

 of absorption from the colouring matter of bird's feathers. 



