106 CURRENT LITERATURE. 



tion of this organ, illustrated by capital figures. It consists of the kidney itself' 

 the primary ureter, which latter extends from an aperture at the apex of the 

 kidney to the posterior corner, and the secondary ureter, being the continuance 

 from the posterior corner of the kidney to the external aperture. 

 Dean, Bashford.— Japanese Oyster-Cixlture. U. S. Fish Commis. Bull, for 1902, 



1903, pp. 17-37, pis. 3-7, and 27 figs, in text. 

 The author gives an interesting account of the culture and living conditions 

 of the Western Pacific oysters. There are three species of Japanese oysters, viz. , a 

 small one, probably a dwarfed salt-water variety of Ostrea cucidlata. Born., the 

 shell measures about two inches in length, the actual size of the oyster is, however? 

 rarely larger than one's finger nail. The second form, 0. cucidlata, which seems the 

 most important one from the culturist's standpoint, averages the size of a " Blue- 

 Point," or of an English " native." The third form, O. gigas, Thunb., is of large 

 size, specimens weighing with the shell 4 or 5 pounds, being not infrequent. 



The cultural methods in various districts are described in detail, and the 

 regulations imposed by the Japanese Government. The question of intro- 

 ducing and cultivating the Japanese oyster in the United States is next dealt 

 with, and various practical suggestions are put forward. 

 Robert, A. — Recherches sur le developpement des Troques. Arch, de Zool. 



cxp. ct gen., 1902 (3 ser.), T. x, pp. 269-538, pis. xii-xviii, tables xix-xhi. 



Pi'ofcssor Robert, already well known for his admirable studies on the 



anatomy of the genus Trochus, here gives an exhaustive and detailed account 



of the ccU-hneage and development of T. rnagus. 



Anc'I, P. — Histogenese et structure de la glande hermaphrodite dC Helix pomatia 



(Linn.). Arch, de Biol., 1902.'T. xix, i^p. 389-652, pis. xii-xviii. 

 Kennard, A. S. and Woodward, B.B.— The Non-Marine MoUusca of the River 



Lea Alluvium at Walthamstow, Essex. Essex Nat., 1903, vol. xiii, pp. 



13-21, figs. 1-3. 



Sm'th, Herbert H. — An Annotated Catalogue of Shells of the genus Partida in 

 the Hartman Collection belonging to the Carnegie Museum. Ann. 

 Carnegie Mus., 1901, vol. i, pp. 422-485. 



It is with feelings of deepest regret that we have to chroniclje the decease 

 of Dr. O. F. von MoUendorff, of Frankfort-on-Main, whose death occurred on 

 August 17th. His numerous Avritings on the Land MoUusca of Eastern Asia, and 

 especially on those of the Philippine Islands, have added much to our knowledge 

 of many little known Asiatic regions. 



We hoije to give a further account and portrait of the deceased in the Decem- 

 ber issue. — W.E.C. 



