350 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



The nerve-cord shows a tendency to enlargement between segments 

 I II. -IV. and the brain is pear-shaped with a rounded or convex hinder 

 margin. There is a large head-pore between the prostomium and the first 

 segment, and through this the ccelomic fluid and other floating materials 

 from the body-cavity and head are poured out when a little pressure 

 causes inconvenience to the worm. 



The question naturally arises, Can this be the same as 

 Michaelsen's Silver Worm (E. argenteus), found on the shores of 

 the Elbe, or not ? Unfortunately I do not possess the author's 

 pamphlet, and the digest in Mr. Beddard's monograph is too 

 brief for a decision. The descriptions correspond as far as they 

 go, but I have not been able to verify the account of the nephridia, 

 nor are we told in what way the seta? are disposed, or what the 

 habits of the Elbe species are. In any case the species is new 

 to Britain, and its predatory character raises the serious ques- 

 tion — What is the best thing for the flower-grower to do if he 

 finds them attacking his asters ? 



The best Remedy is the drastic one of pulling up every 

 plant which shows signs of sickness and consigning it instantly to 

 the flames. It might be possible to save some plants by carefully 

 cutting out the roots which appear to be affected ; but the operation 

 would have to be performed the instant there were signs of 

 failure, it would have to be conducted with the greatest care and 

 delicacy, and there would still be two risks. Either the plant might 

 succumb to the treatment, or the disease might reappear owing 

 to the eggs of the worm having been left in the roots. The eggs 

 are so minute that even the microscope would be of little service 

 in their detection after they had once been extruded. 



There is no doubt but that many of our minute annelids are 

 parasitic. Heretofore, however, we have heard little of their 

 ravages. The reason is probably to be found in the fact that so 

 little was known formerly of annelid anatomy that when a worm 

 was discovered its description lacked scientific precision, and 

 so the different parasitic worms remained uncatalogued and 

 unknown. 



