1889.] ANATOMY OF GONATUS FABRICII. 129 
The only other recent addition to the literature of the subject is a 
short paper by Malcolm Laurie *, which adds little of importance to 
our knowledge. 
A large number of the transverse sections which I made through 
the anterior region of one of the small specimens of Gonatus showed 
the funnel-organ. Its state of histologieal preservation was far from 
satisfactory ; indeed its extreme sensitiveness to the ordinary reagents 
has been remarked by all those who have examined it in the fresh 
condition. Since, however, it is unlikely that any one will have the 
opportunity in the near future of examining this species in a state of 
nature, it seems better to place on record the facts observed, so that 
they may serve at all events for comparison. 
This organ is mainly due to a great thickening of the epithelium 
of three areas in the funnel. One of these is median and lies upon 
the large venous sinus which passes down the ventral aspect of the 
animal, separated from it merely by a thin membrane, whilst the 
other two occupy portions of the two lateral walls of the funnel and 
are so situated that when the funnel contracts they become applied 
to the median portion of the organ (compare woodcut). 
A. Transverse section through the funnel of an advanced embryo of Sepia, to 
show the form and disposition of the funnel-organ.—B. A similar section 
of a young specimen of Taonius. m.p., median pad ; l.p., /.p., lateral pads; 
sz., ventral wall of the funnel; v.c., vena cava. 
The cell-boundaries in my sections are very difficult to make out 
(Plate XIII. fig. 8); they are most distinct in the lateral portions of the 
median pad, and here it is clear that the pad is only one cell thick, its 
component elements having become extremely elongated. The nuclei 
are situated at various points in the cell, generally somewhere in its 
middle third ; they are small and do not stain so deeply as usual. The 
distal extremities of the cells are occupied by curious highly refracting 
subglobular bodies. No structure whatever could be made out in 
these globules, even under a /,-inch oil immersion of Zeiss; they seem 
perfectly homogeneous and do not take up thestain. Over the sur- 
face of the cells is spread a thin layer apparently of secreted material. 
It stains faiutly, is dull and turbid and not strongly refractile; its 
upper surface is often irregular. It is most distinct a little distance 
from the margin. 
1 Quart. Journ. Micr, Sci. xxviii. 1888. 
