C. Morfit on Gum Mezquite. 263 
females, the granular ova masses, in the internal ovaries, are seen 
in company with the globules—but they are not in connection, 
hor is there any indication of a transition from one form to the 
ther, 
In the Daphnia, the small pellucid globules which constitute the 
earliest stage of the ova, and also the hibernating eggs, are visi- 
ble in many specimens, and do not resemble the globules under 
consideration. The male Daphnia is rarely seen, and I do not 
know whether the oil is found in both sexes as in the Cyclops. 
Since the above observations were made, I have learned, that 
these oil globules are briefly described by von Siebold. See Dr. 
Burnett’s translation of von Siebold’s Anatomy of the Inverte- 
brata, pp. 310 and 334, This author regards them as fat cells, 
and after stating that they occur in many crustaceans, adds the 
following remarks: ‘The fat, which these cells contain plays a 
part, probably, in digestion and assimilation ; for with these ani- 
mals, the excess of nutriment.is deposited as fat to be used in 
times of need, as for example, during the act of moulting. This 
explains why the quantity found is so variable, or even may be 
entirely wanting.” I cannot find that they are described by other 
authors, nor are the appearances, which they present in the crus- 
_ taceans of the Cochituate, represented in any of the figures I have 
seen. ; 
Arr. XXX.—On Gum Mezquite; by Campseus. Morrir, M.D. 
Gum Mezquite, known synonymously as Muckeet, Mezqucet 
and Musquit, and recently presented to public notice by Dr. G. G, 
Shumard, U.S. A , is said to be the product of a tree flonrishing 
extensively in the high and dry regions of the plains of Western 
texas, New Mexico and the adjacent Indian Territory. The fa- 
cility with which it may be obtained in large quantities, and its 
very probable prospective value as an article of commerce, give 
itan interest that led me to a chemical examination, which I 
have caused to be made in my Laboratory by one of my students, 
Mr. Frederick W. Alexander. Le 
It is a spontaneous semi-fluid exudation concreting by expos- 
ure into tears and lumps of variable size and form. Our sample, 
which was a part of that brought in by Dr. Shumard, and ob- 
tained directly from the U. S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, consisted 
re small irregular pieces and rounded balls about the size of a 
azel 
brilliant; and the gum was easily reduced under the pestle to 
adull white powder. One of the balls was enveloped with an 
Suter pellicle of gum about ;;th of an inch in thickness. 
p 
