90 .PHYSIOLOGY OF THE INVERTEBRATA. 



established that the colouring matters of the hiU are 

 derived from one of the products of the decomposition of 

 haemoglobin (probably of hsemochromogen), a substance 

 which is not found, except very rarely in the Invertebrata. 



The earthworm is one of these animals rich in hsemoglobin, 

 consequently one would suppose that liver pigments and 

 biliary acids would be present in this Invertebrate animal. 



The alcoholic filtrate from the macerated worms (already 

 referred to) would contain (if present) these pigments and 

 acids. This filtrate is very rapidly discoloured on exposure 

 to daylight, but, besides the colouring matter which is 

 sensitive to light, it often contains traces of chlorophyll (from 

 food). 



The alcoholic filtrate is evaporated to dryness on a water 

 bath, and the residue treated with ether. The ethereal 

 solution is reserved for future examination, while the 

 insoluble residue (in ether) is dissolved in a small quantity 

 of water. The filtered aqueous solution is now used in 

 testing for biliary acids by the Pettenkof er test ; but not the 

 slightest trace of these acids is detected in Zumbricus. The 

 reaction of Gmelin and Tiedemann, employed in detecting 

 the presence of biliary pigments, was applied without success 

 to the fresh Juices and organs of Lunibricus ; also to. the 

 alcoholic extracts (from which the alcohol had been evapo- 

 rated). 



The ethereal extract previously obtained was found to 

 contain cholestrine and fatty globules. 



In addition to the pancreatic ferment, the author has 

 detected indol (OgH^N) as well as leucin and tyrosin in the 

 fresh juices and organs obtained from about 4 lbs. of 

 earthworms. This is an additional proof of the pancreatic 

 nature of the digestive fluid of Zumbricus. 



Although biliary pigments are entirely absent in the 

 OligocliMa, other pigments are present. Most likely the 

 pancreatic tissues, which almost envelop the intestine of 

 Lunibricus, contain enterochlorophyll. 



