500 H. p. KJERSCHOW AGERSBORG 



Thus it is seen that, while the communication between the 

 kidney and the pericardium differ, the internal structure of 

 the renal syrinx seems to be similar as far as being lined with 

 ciliated columnar epithelium. 



The cilia of the renal syrinx of M. leonina discontinue 

 in the region of junction with the ureter (PL 35, figs. 61, A, 

 62, A). The cells are indistinct in this region (PI. 35, figs. 61, B, 

 63). The structure of the ureter is unique in itself. The 

 epithelium shows a cyncitium (PL 86, figs. 71, 72), some parts 

 being conspicuous by the presence of large A^acuoles which seem 

 to have formed by the confluence of smaller ones that arise 

 around the nucleus. These larger ones, then, as in the case 

 of the intestine, pass into the lumen of the organ. The ureter 

 is covered by an exceedingly fine fibrous cover (PL 36, figs. 71, 

 72, Ex). This cover as well as the epithelium vary according 

 to their position. That is, nearer the renal syrinx it is more 

 glandular in its feature (PL 36, fig. 72) than near the end of the 

 ureter (PL 36, fig. 71). The renal chamber proper consists of 

 a corrugated glandular lining with a small amount of fibrous 

 tissue covering it (PL 36, fig. 70, Pr. npli, Ct). The structure of 

 the epithelium suggests that the organ is one of periodic 

 function. According to Stempell (1899 : 142), ' Das Epithel 

 der Nierenschlauche selbst hat eine ziemlich typische Form. 

 In den distalen Abschnitten der vergleichsweise hohen Zellen 

 finden sich helle Vacuolen, welche . . . regelmassig kleine 

 Concrement - Klumpen enthalten. Nach Conservirung mit 

 Flemming'scher Fliissigkeit gelang es mir auch, deutliche 

 Cilien auf den Zellen nachzuweisen." The kidney of M. 

 leonina, as far as I have seen up to the present time, is not 

 ciliated. But the epithelium is highly glandular in structure, 

 which also is the nature of the lining of the ureter, but there is 

 considerable difference in structure, nevertheless. 



The function of the kidney is supposed to be that of extracting 

 waste from the blood (Shipley and MacBride, 1915). Ward 

 (1900 : 152) finds that among the variable types of excretory 

 cells two appear to be constant : the first absorbs mdigo- 

 carmine and refuses ammonium-carminate, while the second 



