EXTRACTS AND ABSTRACTS FROM FOREIGN JOURNALS. 87 



[From Mullers Archives, 1841.] 



Valentin on an Entozoon in the Blood of Salmo fario. In the 

 blood obtained from the commencement of the abdominal aorta, in a 

 specimen of Salmo fario, some dark globules, similar to the round cells 

 of pigment were observed amongst the proper blood-globules. They 

 moved actively, generally tremulously, but yet were distinctly locomotive. 

 After regarding them some time, a transparent tail was observed late- 

 rally. Gradually an animal, elongated in form, disenveloped itself, 

 which moved about actively and constantly. Its motion was produced by 

 means of from one to three variable and semi-lateral apendages, by which 

 it rolled in a circular direction. The anterior and posterior portions of 

 the creature were bright and transparent, the medial contained numerous 

 dark granules, probably molecules of pigment derived from the material 

 it had eaten. When the creature was rolled up, it appeared as if these 

 molecules were enveloped in a sort of case derived from the body, which 

 was transparent, and at length club-shaped. Fig. a, (PI. III. Div. 4.) 

 represents the primary globule seen ; Figs, b, c, d, various conditions of 

 the globule, showing the tail unrolling ; e, a globule, in which the mole- 

 cules appear as if enclosed in special portions of the body, which become 

 club-shaped ; /, this club-shaped receptacle ideally represented ; g to m, 

 different forms of fully developed animals, and which no doubt belong 

 to the old genus Proteus, or the new genus Amoeba of Ehrenberg. It 

 is probably a new species, as it does not agree with any already des- 

 cribed and drawn by the last-mentioned author. Of its internal and 

 delicate organization, nothing with certainty could be made out, as it 

 only measured from 0.0003 to 0.0005 parts of an inch long. 



Sometimes it appeared to have a round aperture anteriorly, and the 

 tail striated, as is represented at k. The variable appendages or projec- 

 tions always appeared under the microscope, to be as they are drawn, 

 on the right side. Perhaps the club-shaped receptacles before alluded 

 to, were of the same or similar proportions. It was at first a matter of 

 doubt whether this creature really belonged to the blood, and the whole 

 fish was therefore examined ; but no where else could it be detected ; 

 not a trace of this Infusorial Entozoon could elsewhere be found, save 

 in the favourite place of microscopic intestinal worms, the fourth ven- 

 tricle, in which was discovered a single specimen. On the other hand, 

 they were so plentiful in the blood, that a single drop always contained 

 one, often ten, and sometimes more. In the effused blood they remained 

 alive between 16 and 18 hours. This fluid itself presented otherwise 

 nothing abnormal, and which fact deserves to be borne in mind. Ascaris 

 obtuso-candata zeder was found in abundance in this Salmo, but no 

 other intestinal worm. Heft. 5, 1841. 



[From the Annales des Sciences Naturelles, 1841.] 



Desmazieres on Microthyrium Microscopicum. This minute and very 

 curious production (Lichen) grows on the upper surface of dry and half 



