.4^ 



THE AxNNALS 



AND 



MAGAZINE OF NATfJRAL HISTORY. 



[EIGHTH SERIES.] 

 No. 111. MARCH 1917. 



XIX. — Notes from the Gafty Marine Laboratory , St. An- 

 drews.— ^o. XL. By Prof. M'Lvtosh, M.D., LL.D., 

 F.R.S., &c., Gatty Marine Laboratory, University, 

 St. Andrews. 



[Plates YII.-XIL] 



Ofi the Nervous System and other Points in the Structure of 

 Owenia and Myriochele. 



Since the remarks on Owenia and Myriochele were made in 

 the volume on the British Marine Annelids lately issued by 

 the Ray Society, a few observations on both types were 

 carried out, though, unfortunately, no living forms could be 

 obtained ; yet Owenia formerly was cast on the beach at 

 St. Andrews in hundreds, whilst Myriochele is not uncommon 

 on the west coast of Ireland, and in certain foreign localities 

 it occurs in swarms. Such blanks, which may stretch over 

 many years in the British area, are in the case of the fishes 

 often regarded as evidence of serious diminution ; but, so 

 far as observed during a long period of years, neither in the 

 case of the fishes nor in the case of the invertebrates is there 

 much of a basis for this supposition. The two forms above 

 mentioned are of interest especially as regards their nervous 

 system, which differs from that in the majority of the 

 Polycheets in having the cephalic system as well as the 

 Ann. d: May. N. Ilist. Ser. 8. Vol. xix. 16 



