738 ? General Notes. (August, 
is not the fundamental difference between smooth and striated 
muscles in the invertebrates that has been attributed to the two 
forms in the vertebrates. The smooth, voluntary muscles offer 
every intermediate phase of duration of contraction. 
Worms.—The thesis by which M. Francois obtained the de- 
gree of doctor of natural sciences was entitled “ A contribution to 
the knowledge of the nervous system of the Hirudinea.” The 
nerves connecting the ganglia have in Branchellion a neurilemma 
and three nervous cords, and there is no trace of a medullary 
‘canal. The cellules of the ganglia are arranged in six follicules, 
and occupy the inferior and lateral regions of each ganglion, two 
ventral and four lateral. Adam Sedgwick contributes to the 
February issue of the Quart. Four. Mic. Science an article upon 
the development of the Cape species of Peripatus. The segmen- 
tation is apparently complete, and the endoderm cells come at 
first without a distinct nucleus. 
_ Moliusca—The appendages of the female organ of reproduc- 
tion in the gasteropods are usually distinct and placed along the 
line of the oviduct, but in Doris they are united into a single 
mass. This is difficult to dissect, but by taking advantage of the 3 
: spawning period, M. E. Bolot has been able to identify the differ- 
ent points of the gland where the eggs receive the accessory 
parts necessary to their perfection. : 
Fishes —S. E. Meek and R. Newland (Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 
e 
th the brain, and a distal, bladder-shaped structure, the pd i 
nis | nto a structure resembling a highly- : 
rganized invertebrate eye, but without a nerve. In Hatteria 
ssl tel i nec- 4 
i nerve is present also. The organ, deeply embedded in pee 4 
ive tissue, is now useless. Iguana, Chameleo vulgaris and Lact q 
eye. i 
Birds—Those interested in the migrations of birds hot ’ 
refer to the series of articles by M. Oustalet in recent issues of a 
vue Scientifique — Professor R. Collett recently communicat h 
> Zodlogical Society of London an account of a hybrid wins) 
onally exists between the willow grouse (Lagopus a% 
jo 
