416 Miscellaneous. 
it. No layer of vibratile cilia was to be seen distinctly, but indi- 
cations of them seemed to exist upon portions which had been long 
in osmic acid. The cells taper at their base and at the same time 
bend in different directions; and these basal prolongations anastomose 
and form a very delicate network of fibrille, which, by their union, 
constitute at the base of the epithelial layer a regular little zone, 
intermediate between the nerve-fibres and the foot of the cells; a 
few nuclei are distinguishable in it. This plexus rests against the 
connective envelope, which is formed by a thin and dense mem- 
brane, presenting perforations, through which the basilar plexus 
enters into relations with the nerve-fibres.— Comptes Rendus, March 
24, 1884, p. 757. 
On Prof. Lindstréim’s Remarks on Prof. Martin Duncan’s 
Criticisms. 
To the Editors of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 
GENTLEMEN,— With reference to Prof. Lindstrém’s communication 
to the Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. for March 1884, p. 162, I wish to 
inform you that, having sought the opinion of some naturalists well 
qualified to judge between Prof. Lindstrom and myself, I find that 
the language I used was not of a kind to merit the condem- 
nation of being ‘* by no means consistent with the quiet tone that 
ought to prevail in scientific discussions.” It appears to them and 
to me that Prof. Lindstrom took unnecessary offence and that his 
tone was very uncourteous. 
I can assure you that nothing was further from my thoughts 
than to give him personal offence; but he must remember that 
his communication which I wrote upon was eminently critical, and 
was bound sooner or later to provoke discussion. I gave the reasons 
for not having sooner attempted a reply. Probably when some time 
has elapsed Prof. Lindstrém will read my essay with more charitable 
and kindlier feelings; and itmay happen that we may criticize one 
another as Pourtalés and I did, with advantage to ourselves and 
with the establishment of a sincere friendship. 
Yours truly, 
April 10, 1884, P. Martin Doncay. 
Reproduction in Amphileptus fasciola. 
By Anprew 8. Parker, M.D., Ph.D. 
Several years ago, while examining some Infusoria, I noticed a 
specimen of Amphileptus fasciola undergoing some curious changes, 
the nature of which, at that time, I did not fully appreciate, sup- 
posing them to be due to the dissolution of the animal. Recently 
I observed the same series of phenomena occurring in another indi- 
vidual, and on tracing them out more fully I found that they were 
due, not to the death of the Infusorian, but to what I believe is a 
method of reproduction not hitherto observed, or at least not de- 
scribed, in this group. My attention, in both instances, was at- 
tracted by a peculiar oscillating movement, the Amphileptus rocking 
from side to side, the animal remaining stationary, although its 
