38 PLATYHELMINTIIES. 



little lighter than the surrounding tissue. The flicker of the 

 flame cells can usually be seen, but they may be more easily seen 

 in Crossobothrium. Examine chart and text-book figures of the 

 water-vascular system. 



Make a good-sized drawing of a worm, showing the above 

 points. 



Reproductive Organs. Turbellarian worms are hermaphro- 

 ditic. In this form the various organs are so crowded together 

 that it will be best to follow each system separately. Com- 

 press a specimen under the slip and find the male organs as fol- 

 lows: 



(a) The testes are the numerous rounded masses between 

 the lateral branches of the gut. They are connected by means 

 of fine tubes which cannot be seen in fresh specimens. 



(6) The vasa deferentia, two large tubes, one on either side 

 of the pharynx, that unite posteriorly near the base of the penis. 



(c) The genital atrium, within which the penis lies with- 

 drawn, is situated behind the pharynx. The penis and atrium 

 may be considered as a replica, in miniature, of the pharynx 

 and its sheath. 



If the above structures cannot be satisfactorily seen, try 

 preserved, stained, and mounted specimens. 1 



Draw the male reproductive system. Refer to charts and 

 text-books for anything that is obscure. 



The female organs are as follows: 



(a) Opening into the genital atrium are the two large uteri. 

 Each has a separate opening into the atrium but has no direct 

 connection with any other part of the reproductive system. 



(b) Place a worm ventral side up and look carefully be- 



1 Specimens may be readily killed by compressing under a slip, being 

 careful to draw the excess of fluid out on one side so that the animal 

 cannot contract, and running in killing fluid. (Sublimate acetic is good.) 

 As soon as they become opaque white, put on enough killing fluid to float 

 the slip off and transfer the specimens to a dish of the fixative for five 

 minutes, then 50 percent alcohol a few minutes, 70 percent several hours, 

 stain \\ith borax carmine or Delafield's hematoxylin; dehydrate, clear and 

 mount in balsam. (See directions in the appendix for making permanent 

 preparations.) 



