ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 233 



soma, while tte primitive stock was continued on through AncJiinia to 

 Doliolum. 



The second chapter of the systematic part treats of the system of 

 the Cyclomyaria, which contains Ancliinia and Doliolum ; of the latter, 

 four species are known — D. muelleri, D. rarum, D. ehrenhergi, and 

 D. gegenhauri, the last-named species being new. The two species 

 from the Pacific, described by Quoyi and Gaimard, are only imper- 

 fectly known — D. denticulatum and D. caudatum ; Ancliinia savigniana 

 appears to be referable to this genus. 



Structure of Distaplia.* — B. Ulianin has some remarks upon 

 the development of this compound Ascidian. In the young larv^ 

 that have not yet lost the tail the stolon is observable in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the heart ; this becomes segmented into about four buds, 

 which soon become capable of independent movement and wander 

 into the mantle of the larva and commence to divide. The free- 

 swimming larva contains thus the commencing colony ; presently it 

 disappears and the mantle only is left behind, which forms the frame- 

 work of the colony ; the sexual organs of the colony are developed 

 at different times, first the testes, then the ovaries. Contrary to the 

 observations of Delia Yalle, it appears that each colony contains a 

 number of individuals not produced from the stolon of the oi'iginal 

 larva ; in all probability these are developed from ova produced by 

 the colony, which, instead of wandering forth as free larvae, make 

 their way into the mantle of the colony and remain there. It is 

 plain, therefore, that, as in other compound Ascidians, all the larvae 

 do not make use of their swimming-tail, but remain sometimes 

 attached to the same colony. 



Slimy Coatings of certain Boltenias.f — E. v. Lendenfeld states 

 that a stalked solitary Ascidian, somewhat like Boltenia australis, 

 occurring in Port Jackson, is characterized by its slimy surface. 

 This slimy coating, which, however, does not extend to the stalk, is 

 nothing else than the ova, which cover the surfece to a depth of 2 mm. 

 These ova are surrounded by follicula, which consist of prismatic 

 cells about three times as high as broad. The follicle-cells are filled 

 with highly refractive granules that are nothing else than a mucous 

 substance which is pressed forth when the Ascidian is touched. Out 

 of the breeding season these Ascidians are ordinary, not slimy 

 Boltenias. 



7' BracMopoda. 



Digestive and Eeproductive Organs of Crania.t — M. Joubin 

 describes the digestive and reproductive organs of these Brachiopods 

 as represented in the Mediterranean species. 



Contrary to what is observed in the other Ecardines, the anus is 

 exactly in a line with the mouth, i. e. in the plane dividing the body 

 into two lateral symmetrical halves. The mouth opens at the base of 



* Zool. Anzeig., viii (1885) pp. 40-4. 

 't Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, ix. (1884) p. 495. 

 X Comptes Kendus, xcix. (1884) pp. 985-7. 



