SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



203 



group are claw-shaped, the remaining two others 

 bristle-shaped. The second group is called the 

 ventral series, and occupies the centre of the ventral 

 surface, it consists of five stout cilia, arranged like 

 the five used in dice. The anal series, or third group, 

 consists of five bristles, arranged in a straight line 

 near the anus. The fourth group is termed the mar- 

 ginalseries, and forms an even fringe down each 

 side. The fifth group, or caudal series, consists of 

 three stiff hairs projecting from the posterior ex- 

 tremity. These groups of cilia are present, more or 

 less developed, throughout the whole family Oxytri- 

 chidae, and this relative development forms a 

 convenient basis of classification. The peristome 

 groove occupies the entire leit side of the anterior 

 ventral surface. Its inner border is reflected, and 

 bears an undulating membrane, which may easily 

 be discerned. Two nuclei are present, and one 

 contractile vacuole, which is situated near the 

 posterior end of the peristome. The length of the 

 body is 90 to 360 microns, approximately. 



This species is very common ; it occurs in fresh 

 water and in flood overflows. 



Gastrostyla steinii Engelman. — The body is ellip- 

 tical, with each extremity rounded ; it is slightly 

 widest posteriorly. The peristome field extends 

 backwards about one-third the whole length of the 

 body ; its inner border is reflected and bears an 

 undulating membrane. The arrangement of the 

 ventral cilia is as follows : the frontal series con- 



Fig. 33. — Gastrostyla steinii ( x 250). 



sists of six stout cilia, of which the three anterior 

 ones are more highly developed than the three 

 posterior ones. The ventral series' consists of an 

 oblique line of cilia running from the right hand 

 border towards the anal area, and in addition three 

 scattered styles. The anal series consists of four ■ 

 or five bristles forming a single oblique row which 

 does not project beyond the posterior extremity. 

 The marginal setae are coarse and increase in 

 length as they approach the hinder end of the 



body. The contractile vacuole is situated close to 

 to the posterior angle of the peristome. There are 

 four oval macronuclei present arranged in a line 

 down the centre of the body, and by each is a small 

 micronucleus. The length of the body is from 150 

 to 300 microns. 



This species occurs in fresh water. 



Opisthotricha parallela Engelman. — The body is 

 in the form of a long ellipse, with both ends 

 bluntly rounded. The peristome field is fairly 



Fig. 34.— Opisthotricha parallela ( x 250). 



wide and extends back to a distance of one-fourth 

 the entire length. The ventral cilia are arranged 

 as follows : the frontal series consists of five claw- 

 shaped and three bristle-like cilia ; the ventral 

 series is formed of five scattered cilia ; the anal 

 series consists of five bristles which project slightly 

 behind the posterior border. The marginal cilia 

 are large and form a continuous fringe. In addition 

 to the ventral cilia the dorsal surface bears several 

 longitudinal rows of hair-like excrescences. Two 

 oval nuclei are present and one contractile vacuole. 

 The length of the body is about 250 microns. 

 This species occurs in fresh water. 

 (To be continued.) 



Late Flowering Plant. — We understand a 

 remarkable tribute to the mildness of the autumn 

 in the form of a branch of vegetable marrow plant, 

 has been grown by Mr. G. H. Cockle, of 6, Dover 

 Place, Bath. Upon it was counted, on November 

 5th, between twenty and thirty miniature marrows, 

 and in one case there is a perfectly developed 

 bloom. The whole proceeded from a fasciated 

 stem, an abnormal form often found. Such a stem 

 in common daisy was figured in Science-Gossip, 

 Vol. ii. p. 43. 



Albinism in Flowers. — May I be allowed to 

 revert again to this subject, and also to that of 

 double flowers? I should much like to know if any 

 reason has been, or can be, assigned for albinism ? 

 Why it occurs so frequently in flowers with red or 

 blue in their colour ? Why not in yellow ? Why 

 albinism is so frequent in some species and so rare 

 in others? Whether it is constant in the same 

 individual ? I have only once seen Carduus crispus 

 and Geranium pyreniacum with white flowers, Cnicus 

 acaulis only in one place, but many plants, while 

 Cnicus palustris is as often white as purple, and 

 about here grows chiefly on the dry tops of the 

 hills on the downs or high tablelands, instead of 

 marshy places. Then as regards double flowers, 

 why should Cardamine pratensis produce double 

 flowers so comparatively frequently, when in other 

 plants they are of such very rare occurrence ? If 

 any light can be thrown on these points it would be 

 of great interest. — A.E. Burr, Bath; November iyth. 



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