1890.] ~. Loblogy. IQI 
Zoological News.—General.—Volume XXX., part I, of the 
Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science contains an index extend- 
ing from 1853 to 1888; an Index to the Transactions of the same 
society from 1844 to 1852; and to the Proceedings of the Dublin 
Microscopical Society from 1865 to 1880. 
Sponges.—Von Lindenfeld thinks that the collared endoderm cells 
of the sponges are never free, but are imbedded in a ground substance 
from which they are capable of some protrusion. He also thinks that 
the ‘‘membrane”’ recently described by Dendy and Sollas in certain 
sponges is, in reality, but the free surface of this ground substance. 

Worms.— Otoplana intemedia is a new turbellarian described by 
Dr. du Plessis as combining many features. It has no eyes, but has an 
otocyst in front of the brain, ciliated pits on either side of the otocyst 
like those of the nemertines, long, symmetrically placed tactile hairs on 
each side of the body ; the surface of the body is covered with sticky 
cells (Klebzellen) ; there is a single median posterior sexual opening ; 
and the alimentary canal is dendroccelous. 
Mollusca.—Pelseneer (Zod/. Anz., 309) denies that the hooks of 
the pteropod molluscs have any morphological value, a view at vari- 
ance with that expressed by Schalfejeff. 
The thirtieth volume of the Challenger series concludes with a sup- 
plementary report upon the Polyzoa, and is by Mr. A. W. Waters. It 
consists of 41 pages and 3 plates. 

Fishes.—Prof. A. C. Haddon writes to ature (Jan. 17, ’89) that 
apparently the tail in Periophthalmus is an efficient organ of respira- 
tion. He also describes the methods of fishing for turtles with the 
suckfish or remora, employed by the natives on the shores of Lowes 
The American genus Carpiodes (Catostomidz) has been found in 
Australia. 
Reptiles.—Dr. G. Baur, in his Osteological Notes on Reptiles 
(Zoél. Anz., No. 296), calls attention to the fact that in Podocnemis 
dumeriliana the neck vertebrz possess the same saddle-shaped articula- 
tion of the centra which hitherto has not been found outside the group 
of birds. Baur also characterizes anew from osteological details the 
Trionychidz, Sternothzride, Podocnemidz, as well as adding some 
notes on other families. He maintains, contrary to Boulenger, the 
distinctness of Erymnochelys from Podocnemis. 
