1889.] Zoology. 921 
in all parts are homologous with the epitrichium must be decided by- 
further investigations. 
Ostroumoff makes the following homologies between the embryos of 
Lizards and Selachians : In both an embryonic anus, which closes and 
later opens to form the permanent anus ; the allantois anlage with the 
post-anal gut ; the neurenteric canal ; the primitive groove, with the 
split between the caudal lobes ; the primitive streak with the caudal 
lobes. 
Prof. Bardeleben has discovered traces of a prepollex and a pre- 
hallux in certain Reptilia, and also records the existence of a two- 
segmented prepollex bearing a nail in Pedetes, and a two-segmented 
pisiform in Bathyergus, 
Fishes.— Mr. S. Garman describes (Bulletin Essex Inst., XX.) a 
new Mursenoid eel from the Marshall Islands {Rhinomurcena qumita) 
which is remarkable in the fact that the anterior nostrils are prolonged 
into tubes, each terminating in a broad flap. The snout is also acute, 
and the lower jaw possesses three barbels. The length is thirty-three 
inches, of which two-thirds is occupied by the tail. 
Mr. F. C. Test describes and figures (Bulletin Essex Inst., XXI.) 
certain problematical organs in the skin of the Californian fish Por- 
ichthys which are supposed to be phosphorescent in character. Each 
consists of a lens, reflector, and nerve supply, but none are like any 
form described by Ussow or Von Lendenfeld. The organs in question 
are interesting from the fact that they occur in a shore fish, while all 
other phosphorescent fishes are abyssal in habitat. 
Batrachia. — Perenyi thinks, from observations upon Bombinator 
{Anat. Anz. IV., 587), that the notochord is not as has been supposed 
a derivative of strictly entodermal tissue, but is to be regarded as 
formed by the lips of the blastopore, tissue which is neither ecto- or 
entodermal. He regards, farther, the mesoderm as but the duplication 
of the lower layer cells. 
Reptiles. — Junglow {Anatom, Anzeiger, IV.), contrary to Hoff- 
man, states that the heart in Lacerta agilis has a double or paired 
origin, the halves being about the same size, and uniting very soon. 
Aves.— M. K. Marage {Ann. des. Soc.Nat. Z^^V.) describes the anat- 
omy of the sympathetic nerves in birds, with reference especially to the 
connections which exist between them and the spinal nerves. He di- 
