ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICBOSCOPY, ETC. 253 



Multiplication of Lencophrys patnla .*— Prof. E. G. Balbiani, referring 

 to the paper by M. Maupas, points out that Leucophnjs affords only an 

 example of facts already known ; the formation or non-formation of a cyst 

 adds nothing essential to the phenomena — thirty-three years ago Stein 

 observed a similar mode of reproduction in Colpoda cucullus, and, in addi- 

 tion to other naturalists, M. Balbiani and his assistants have made similar 

 observations. The latest form studied is now proposed to be called Tri- 

 chorhynchus tuamotuensis g. et sp. n., found by M. Bouchon-Brandely near 

 the Tuamotu Islands. These forms, after a few days' _ movement, become 

 stationary and secrete a delicate cyst, in which they divide into two and 

 sometimes into four new individuals, which emerge from the cyst on its 

 breaking into two almost equal parts. This mode of multiplication goes 

 on as long as there is nourishment in the fluid ; when it fails the remainder 

 encyst, and remain encysted, either entire, or dividing into two or four 

 segments. The new genus is characterized by a tuft of long, stiff, diverging 

 cilia which surround a conical protuberance which forms a kind of pro- 

 jecting lip above the mouth ; the body is cylindrical, • 04 mm. long and 

 0*028 mm. wide. 



Zoothamnium arbuscula-f — Mr. J. Spencer describes the separation of 

 the reproductive zooids from the colony. Around the base of a spheroidal 

 zooid, near its attachment to the stem of the colony, a thread of protoplasm 

 makes its appearance; this becomes an undulating ribbon, which then 

 breaks up into a ring of cilia. Meanwhile the sphere has become bi- 

 conical, and the ring of cilia gradually becomes equatorial and even nearer 

 the opposite pole than to that where it started. This body now swims 

 away. Its further fate was not followed. The ordinary zooids gradually 

 disappeared from the colony during the above changes. 



New Choano-flagellata.J— Dr. A. 0. Stokes describes three new species 

 of these Infusoria. 



Monosiga limnohia is especially noticeable in the equatorial position 

 of the contractile vacuoles. This species seems able to live either in standing 

 or in fresh waters. 



Salpingceca eurystoma is characterized by the very wide mouth ^ and 

 everted edge of the lorica ; to the bottom of which the animal is sometimes 

 attached by a thread. 



Desmarella irregularis forms colonies of fifty or more : the individuals 

 being connected sometimes by a delicate thread of protoplasm, sometimes 

 by being directly united laterally. This species is peculiar amongst the 

 whole group of Choanoflagellata, in that the food is ingested at the 

 external base of the collar : moreover the currents on the collar are reversed, 

 being downwards, externally, and upwards, internally. 



New Parasitic Infusorian.§— Herr Lindner reports the frequent oc- 

 currence, in the Kassel district, of a peritrichous Infusorian with parasitic 

 habit. It occurs in foul water, in sewage, in the faeces and even iu the 

 urine of typhus patients, &c. Prof. Butschli referred the form to the free- 

 swimming stalkless Vorticellse. Its general structure is Yorticella-like. 

 Besting capsules are formed in unfavourable environment, and many forms 

 are found closely united by a glue-like substance. Longitudinal division 

 and conjugation were observed. The parasite feeds on fluid albuminoid 



* Comptes Rendus, civ. (1887) pp. 80-3. 

 t Journ. Quek. Micr, Club, iii. (1886) pp. 5-7 (1 pi.)- 



i Amer. Mon. Micr. Journ., vii. (1886) pp. 227-8 (3 figs.). ^ . ,,-, 



§ Ber. 59 Versammlg. Deutsch. Naturf. u. Aerzte, Burlin, 1886, Cf. Biol. Centralbl., 

 vi. (1887) pp. 733-4. 



