41 S SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



a new sjiocics of Acasta, which ho calls A. smticosta, and of which ho 

 gives a full description. It is distinguished from A. undulata by tho 

 less broad crest of the tergum. 



New Crustacean Parasite.* — The Eov. Dr. A. M. Norman describes 

 a rcmarkablo new parasite allied to Lacaze-Duthicrs' Laura. Liko it, 

 Synagoga mira (g. ct sp. n.) is parasitic on an Antipatharian, Anfipathes 

 larix, but it differs in position, for Synagoga is external to its host. 

 Other differences are that the valves of Synagoga are shorter than its 

 body ; the antenna) are strongly developed grasping organs, the hinder 

 limbs are two-branched, jointed, and freely setose, and tho lamin«3 of tho 

 caudal furca are much longer, spined on the edges, and provided with 

 long seta3. Synagoga appears, therefore, to be much less retrograde 

 than Laura. Of its relations Dr. Norman contents himself for the 

 present with saying that there is much in its structure to remind us 

 of the Cypris-condition of a larval Cirriped, and other features which 

 strongly recall the much-disputed genus Nebalia. 



Vermes. 

 a. Annelida. 



Formation of Tube of Annelids.f — M. A. Soulier's observations 

 on the mode of formation of the tube of Myxicola do not confirm the 

 generalization of Claparede. This worm produces a filament of mucus 

 which escapes from the branchial funnel ; this falls by its own weight, 

 and is afterwards taken up by the branchias and cast out. In no case 

 does this mucus take part in forming the tube. While it is being 

 secreted the animal is being very rapidly enveloped in an independent 

 mucous tube. If a Myxicola be cut below the tubiparous glands the 

 hinder part of the body continues to secrete mucus in great abundance, 

 and a worm deprived of its tubiparous glands can surround itself with 

 a mucous tube in a few minutes. Branchiomma behaves in the same 

 way. In both cases the tube is due to the secretion of isolated mucous 

 glands, scattered irregularly over different parts of the surface of the 

 body. These glands form accumulations near the feet and on the 

 ventral surface. The author promises an account of them in a short 

 time. 



Cardiac Body of Annelids.} — Dr. E. Horst has a note on the re- 

 cent observations and criticisms of Mr. J. T. Cunningham. He thinks 

 that his views and interpretations have been too severely attacked, and 

 he urges certain historical considerations which his critic appears to 

 have neglected. 



Monograph of the Capitellid8e.§ — In this large monograph Dr. H. 

 Eisig does not confine himself to the description of the species that 

 compose the group Capitellidre, but discusses many points of great 

 morphological inijwrtance. 



In the first part the anatomy and histology of Notomastus, Dasy- 

 branchus, Mastobranchus g. n., Heteromastus g. n., Capitella, and Capito- 

 onastus g. n., are described under the heads of general form, integument, 



* Kep. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci., 1887 (1888) p. 86. 

 t Oomptes Kendus, cvi. (1SS8) pp. 505-7. 

 t Zool. Anzeig., xi. (1888) pp. 135-8. 



§ Fauna u. Flora des Golfes von Neapel, Monogr. xvi. (1S87), xxviii. and 906 pp. 

 (37 pis.). 



