1897.] EE T 155 
ZOOLOGY. 
Ameeba coli not Pathogenic.—This amæba has been met with 
by Sig. O. G. V. Casagrandi and Sig. P. Barbagallo-Rapissiardi' in 
cases of typhoid diarrhea, simple intestinal catarrh, and in spasmodic 
‘dysentery, as well as in healthy persons, and the conclusions drawn 
were that it is not pathogenic but is a very useful guest, destroying the 
other organisms living in the intestine. Experiments with cats show 
that diarrhoea does not develop unless the intestinal canal is already in 
a catarrhal condition. Ameba coli will develop in them, but only be- 
cause the dysenteric material injected sets up at the same time the con- 
dition necessary for development. 
Bipalium kewense.—Mr. Woodworth’s notes induce me to place 
‘on record the probable occurrence of this phanarian at Kingston, Jam- 
aica. Some years ago, when resident there, I had brought to me an 
‘example which accorded perfectly with my recollection of the creature, 
which I had formerly seen at Kew. The longitudinal markings were 
distinct. While I have no serious doubt of the identity, I was ill at 
the time of receiving the specimen, and failed to give it the attention 
it deserved —T. D. A. COCKERELL, Mesilla, N. M. 
Egg-Laying in Sagitta.’—In the case of Sagitta hispida Mr. F. 
S. Conant finds that the process of egg-laying takes place in the morn- 
ing, in this respect differing widely from Sagitta bipunctata, which de- 
posits its eggs at about sunset, as observed by Fol, and agreeing with 
Sagitta hexaptra as noted by Grassi. Variations in temperature affect 
the time somewhat, cold retarding the process. 
The ova pass through the wall of the germinal epithelium into the 
oviduct, apparently through interspaces in the wall of this, undergoing 
by the way a progressive series of changes in shape. In the oviduct the 
ova remain from 20-30 minutes, their gelatinous envelope thickening 
meanwhile. Contractions of the ovary result in pushing the eggs back- 
ward towards the external opening, and when the pressure has become 
sufficient the plug closing this is forced out and the eggs are extruded in 
two linear rows (one on either side the animal) of only a few or as 
many as 60-70 eggs each. This does not differ essentially from the 
"Catania, 1895. See J. R. M. S., p. 429. 
_ *Ann, Mag. Nat. Hist., XVIII, pp. 201-214. Johns Hopkins University Cir- 
Culars, xy. (1896) p. 82-4. 
