1887.] MICROSOCOPICAL JOURNAL. 91 
abundance, and the contents of the cells which have not been liquefied or 
changed into stony tissue pass over into this viscous product. 
_ It was observed by early cultivators that any process of cultivation which 
prevents succulency is a check upon the disease. To determine, however, 
the relation between the hydration of the tissues and the progress of the dis- 
ease will require further experiment. Experiments thus far made seem to 
give some support to the view that there is a direct relation between succu- 
lency and the strength of the disease. 
The adoral cilia of the Hypotricha. 
By DR. ALFRED C. STOKES, 
OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY. 
The large and powerful cilia extending about the frontal border and down 
the left-hand margin of the peristome field to.the oval aperture in the infu- 
soria, forming the above-mentioned group, have been the subject of careful 
study, but until recently their true structure has not been elucidated. When 
in action, as they always are during the infusorian’s life, they appear like 
large, thick, and tapering filaments which the celebrated German investigator, 
the late Count Fr. von Stein, thought to be simple ciliary threads lying in 
grooves, while other observers have described them as skin plates. In the Feb- 
ruary number of the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, however, 
it is stated that Professor K. Moebius, of the University of Kiel, has recently 
shown these cilia to be composed of numerous fine threads, whose connected 
basal portions form the transverse ridges of the ciliated organ. This is a 
correct description of the structure of these appendages. JI am much pleased 
to be able to confirm the statement of the German professor. A year ago it 
became my good fortune to demonstrate that this structure is the true one, 
and for that length of time the matter has been in manuscript awaiting a con- 
venient season for the preparation and publication of a paper on certain 
members of the Hypotricha. As yet I have not had access to Professor 
Moebius’ original article. I know it, therefore, only in the abstract contained 
in the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, but this is sufficient for 
the present purpose. 
To see these fimbriated cilia when the infusorian is well and ordinarily 
active is difficult, yet I have frequently thus observed them during a momen- 
tary pause in their vibratory action. But when the animalcule is dying from 
the effects of iodine poisoning, these appendages move more and more slug- 
‘gishly, and then often appear like the partially unravelled ends of microscopic 
skeins, the largest and more anterior especially presenting this aspect. When 
seen for the first time, I supposed the appearance to be due to changes taking 
place as precursors of death and disintegration, but the repeated observation 
of the same fimbriated or comb-like condition in the living and healthy in- 
fusoria rather forced upon me an understanding of the correct interpretation. 
While the creature is undergoing transverse reproductive fission its move- 
ments often become languid, and it may for some time remain almost quiet 
in the field of view, and this ciliary structure may then be seen without much 
difficulty. 
Observations 6n multiplication in Amebe. 
Miss Lillie E. Holman, on July 4th, ’86, while studying the forms in a 
life slide which had been filled for some hours remarked a great scarcity of 
amoebe, though other infusorians were abundant. At length one was found 
_of elongated, triangular outline and rather torpid. While examining it, a 
second of twice its size glided on the scene, moved up close to the other, and 
