1302 General Notes. [ December, 
erythrine is usually found in the superficial layer, but in some 
species it occurs in the muscular tissue. Various phanerogamous 
and cryptogamous plants also contain it. Numerous other pig- 
ments are enumerated. One group of these is characterized by 
the ease with which they can be transformed into zoonerythrine 
under the influence of certain chemical or physical conditions, 
such as elevation to the boiling point, or the addition of a drop 
of acid, while another group is characterized by the impossibility 
of transforming them into zoonerythrine.——J. Kollman (Zool. 
Anzeiger, Oct., 1882) argues in favor of the double nature of the 
excretory organs of the Craniota. The transverse canals are 
probably homologous with the segmental organs of annelids, but 
this does not apply to the unsegmented longitudinal canals, which 
have a distinct origin and become afterwards connected with the 
transverse canals. 
Fishes-—The fishes of that part of the west coast of Africa 
comprised between Cape Palmas and Cape Lopez are not yet well 
nown. The most recent addition to our knowledge is the result 
of the researches of M. Maurice Chaper upon the Gold coast, and 
consists of thirteen species, four marine and nine fresh-water. 
has made numerous observations upon the action of the eae 
of the pyloric processes of fishes, with a view to ascertain whet F 
they fulfilled in any way the office of a pancreas. His expen 
ments were conducted af Havre upon ten species of fish 
finta, Merlangus pollachius, Merlucius vulgaris, Gadi 
minoids into peptones. They are therefore partial represen 
of a pancreas, but have no action upon fatb. ae 
Reptiles —The list of the Batrachia and Reptilia of Vs gree 
pared by Messrs. N. S. Davis and F. L. Rice, inclu ee : nearly 
four species of reptiles and thirty-two of batrachians, j éading 
in Northern Illinois of an example of Siren lacerti 
startling——F. Müller has contributed to the Catalog 
Basle Museum an account of the distribution in Sw he. fatter 
the two species of viper, Vipera aspis and V. berus. p 
of the country, while the former is distributed in the "T 
along the southern frontier. 
Birds.—Professor Huxley (Proc. Zodl. Soc.) has sa 
respiratory apparatus of the Apteryx differs from 
birds chiefly in the greater size and lesser complexity < nee . 
canals, the rudimentary state of the pneumatic sac an 
ortions 
species appears to occupy the eastern and nor a a and 
n that the . 
= ioe 
ge Agee 
