756 SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



logically, that is, scientifically, the reasons for the existence of 

 things." 



New Infusoria.* — C. Mereschkowsky describes some new species 

 of Infusoria — one from the White Sea, three from the Black Sea, 

 and two from the Bay of Naples. 



From the White Sea are Acineta saifulce (PL X. Fig. 4). From 

 the Black Sea Cothnrnia pontica (Fig. 3); TrocMlia marina (Fig. 2); 

 Acineta livadiana (Fig. 5) ; and from the Bay of Naples Tintinnus 

 mediterraneus (Fig. 1) (also in the Black Sea), and Anisonema 

 quadricostatum (Fig. %).^ 



The author's view that the marine Infusoria of different seas differ 

 much more than the fresh-water Infusoria of different countries J is 

 confirmed, he considers, by the Infusorial fauna of the Black Sea. 

 The marine species, all more or less frequent there, were not met 

 with in the White Sea, while there was not a single fresh-water species 

 observed in the Crimea or Caucasus that was not also found in the 

 Arctic Eegions of Northern Eussia. 



The Tintinnodea.§ — H. Fol deals with the structure, classification 

 and synonymy of this obscure family of Infusoria. 



The body (PL X., Figs. 7 and 9) is conical, terminated above by 

 a broad disk, and produced below into a contractile appendage, which 

 is longer or shorter according to the species. Energetic as are the 

 contractions of this peduncle, it does not present that transverse 

 striation, recalling the texture of the striped muscles, which charac- 

 terizes the peduncle of the Vorticellce. Stein has observed that, when 

 the animal detaches itself from its test, the peduncle enters into the 

 body and becomes confounded with it — a proof that it consists of 

 sarcode with no special differentiation. 



The superior discoidal extremity or peristome, when the animal 

 is extended, is placed a little obliquely with relation to the aperture 

 of the test. This position and the long cilia give it a great apparent 

 resemblance to the disk of the Vorticellce ; but the mouth, instead of 

 being placed at the outer margin of the disk, as in the Vorticellce, is 

 in its interior, and often even near its centre ; whilst the disk itself, 

 instead of being flat or slightly convex, is hollowed out like a saucer ; 

 and the vibratile cilia, instead of forming a single row round the 

 margin of the disk, are implanted in great numbers and in several 

 lines over the greater part of the surface. 



The arrangement of these vibratile cilia is exceedingly curious 

 and interesting, and has not been previously described. 



The whole margin of the disk is occupied by long and strong 

 motor cilia, which strike the water vigorously and give the animal 



* Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., vii. (1881) pp. 209-19 (1 pi.). 



t Cothuniia socialis, though found subsequently by A. Graber, was first 

 described by him (see vol. iii. (1880) p. 284); and Urceolns Alenzini, also now 

 described and figured, was published by the author in 1877 (see also vol. 11. 

 (1879) p. 277). Both are from the White Sea. 



X See vol. ii. (1879) p. 277. 



§ Arch. ScL Phys. et Nat., v. (1881) pp. 5-24. See Ann. and Mag. Nat. 

 Hist., vii. (1881) pp. 237-50 (1 pi.). 



