150 CURRENT LITERATURE. 



gives an account of an exhaustive research, and concludes that the distribution of 

 glycogen in the tissues of molluscs "stands therein in the same accessory or sub- 

 sidiary relation to the white blood that the lymph of vertebrates stands in to their 

 red blood." He finds in it "the morphological (as well as the physiological) 

 beginning of the lymphatic system, which has its complete development in the 

 vertebrates along with the acquisition of red blood." 



Provided that the substance met with is in all cases glycogen, and this is open to 

 doubt, from the fact that the author has contented himself with one test only, viz., 

 the micro-chemical reaction with iodine, it seems to us that two of the first proofs 

 required are I. its general distribution throughout the different classes of molluscs, 

 and 2. a gradual perfecting, evidencing the evolution of a lymphatic system, as we 

 pass from the lower to the higher molluscs. Neither of these proofs are forth- 

 coming, the author himself was struck by the absence of glycogen in many Gastro- 

 pods, and it has not yet been satisfactorilly shown to exist in the Cephalopoda, 

 where there is a very perfect vascular system. 



The work is very interesting and well illustrated, but much more evidence is 

 required before physiologists can accept Dr. Creighton's views. — W. E. C. 



Nabias, B. de. — Recherches sur le systeme nerveau des Gasteropodes pulmones 

 aquatiques. Cerveau des Limnees {Limnaca stagnalis). Trav. Lab. Soc. 

 Sci. et Stat. Zool. d'Arcachon, Bordeaux, 1899, pp. I — 30, pis. i — iii. et 4 figs. 



Professor de Nabias has made a careful histological invest igatiem of the central 

 nervous system of Limnaca stagnalis. He corroborates and amjilifies the work of 

 Lacaze-Duthiers, and adds largely to our knowledge of the nervous system generally. 

 The paper is illustrated by three plates and a number of figures in the text, all 

 reproductions from photographs. Some of these it is quite impossible to make out. 



W. E. C. 



Boycott, A. E., and BOWell, E. W. W. — Contributions towards a fauna of 

 Herefordshire. Mollusca. Woolhope Nat. ImcUI Club, Hereford [1899]: 

 pp. I — 104. 



This is a most interesting and valuable piece of work enumerating 108 species of 

 molluscs. Unlike most county and local lists, it treats of the Mt)llusca which occur 

 in the county of Hereford, and not only of the shells of these animals. Much care 

 has been given to the measurements of the shells of the various species and the 

 variation in colour, banding, etc. The nomenclature has been carefully revised and 

 although opinions may differ from those here expressed, there is evidence that the 

 authors have thought and inquired for themselves. — W. E. C. 



Seharff, R. F., and Carpenter, G. H.— Some Animals from MacGillicuddy's 

 Keeks. Irish Nat., 1^99, vol. viii, pp. 213 — 218. 



In this interesting account of a preliminary survey of the fauna of the MacGilli- 

 cuddy's Reeks, Dr. Seharff describes a new variety of Limax viarginatvs. The 

 description is as follow: Var. nov. niger, Seharff. "Colour almost black, sides a 

 little lighter, but no trace of bands, stripes, or spots. Foot-fringe black; sole light 

 grey. Length, when fully extended, 35 mm. Keel strongly developed on posterior 

 half of body." In general appearance, except colour, this variety is not unlike 

 Agrioliinax agrcstis. It approaches the var. rupicola, L. & P. — W. E. C. 



Hawell, J. — List of the Mollusca of the Cleveland district. Proc. Cleveland 

 Nat. Field Club, 1899, pp. 19—34. 



Records the land, freshwater, and marine species known to occur in the district. 

 The author states " it makes no sort of claim to be exhaustive. Its principal utility 

 will be to form a foundation for future investigation, and to act as a stimulus 

 thereto." Nearly 200 species are recorded and numerous varieties. — W. E. C. 



