1887.] MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 87 
outer skin, in which all the organs lie, but there is no communication through 
the wall of the gland sack. 
A glance through the section will show that the whole gland is constructed 
upon the same principle as here set forth, with some variation in detail. 
These are, namely, first, in the size of the cavities from very small ones to 
very great ones, and second, in the character of their lining or epithelium. 
Dismissing for the present the former, let us consider the latter. 
[ To be continued. | 
Notes from Japan.—II. 
By ROMYN HITCHCOCK, F. R. M. S., 
OSAKA, JAPAN. 
It is now comparatively seldom that we take pen in hand to write upon 
a microscopical subject. Despite the great advances in education and in other 
ways that have been made in Japan during the last decade, there is a vast 
difference between the knowledge and culture of Osaka and Washington. 
We are here almost as isolated from persons of attainment in science and 
from those who are generally informed about the world’s progress as one 
could be in the wilds of our far western country. The few scientific period- 
icals that come to us bring news that is already a month old to the world at 
large; and we scarcely dare venture to send forward notes upon their con- 
tents lest they be regarded as quite out of date by the time they reach the pub- 
lic eye. As for new observations of interest to the microscopist, we are not 
yet able to proclaim any great, or even notable, discoveries. It is true we 
have done some collecting in the ponds and rice-fields, but thus far we have not 
found much of particular interest. This is partly due, no doubt, to the sea- 
son, but mainly, we think, to the character of the country. The rice-fields 
must be supplied with abundant water, and to ensure an adequate supply the 
water is stored in deep reservoirs on the hill-sides, which are fed by springs 
or mountain streams. These reservoirs are now being emptied, and the bot- 
tom mud is taken out for manure. The consequence is that the alge do not 
seem to grow in great variety in these artificial and much-disturbed reser- 
voirs. Perhaps later in the season we may have a different story to tell. At 
present only the more common forms of filamentous algz and a few diatoms 
attached are found. . The rice-fields are not just now good collecting grounds. 
It is said that in the warm weather the alge become so prolific that the far- 
mers are obliged to rake them off. 
Speaking of diatoms reminds us that on page 37 Mr. W. A. Terry has a 
letter in which he infers, from the rather ambiguous language we used on 
page 6, that we had never found the Baczllaria paradoxa in America. That 
is not just what we intended to say, although the language used fully justifies 
such an interpretation. We have frequently found the diatoms at home, but 
we believe never when making a search especially for them. Mr. Terry’s 
observations are of much interest, as indicating the varied conditions under 
which the species thrives. 
We have received many applications for specimens of Japanese diatoms 
which will certainly be responded to as soon as good collections are made. 
At present we have only enough for two or three papers, and not enough to 
send home. We have made the discovery that material shrinks wonderfully 
in drying, and that to supply home demands we must collect in large 
quantities. 
One correspondent wishes to know if diatoms could not be sent home so 
as to be received still living. Well, we are disposed to think not. It might 
