234 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
in this way by direct germination from the spores of fungi differ in na 
respect from those which are commonly found in putrescent fluids. Madame 
Liiders is induced to believe that the blood of living animals contains 
Vihriones, either in the catenated form or in that of the constituent 
granules ; but during life, and until putrescency commences, these are 
always quiescent, and show no signs of active existence. — Vide Microscopical 
Journal for January. 
Asiatic and American Neivts. — Mr. St. Geo Mivart has published his paper 
on the affinities of Dr. Gray’s new Siamese species Plethodon persimilis, in 
which are stated his reasons for differing from Dr. Gray in placing this 
newt in a new genus. Mr. Mivart says that, though struck with the resem- 
blance of Plethodon persimilis to P. glutinosus, it occurred to him as remark- 
able that two species so widely separated as those of Siam and North America 
should have any close affinity. This led him to make a careful examination, 
from which he learned that there are the following points of difference 
between P. persimilis and P. glutinosus. The distinction may be thus tabu- 
lated : — 
P. glutinosus. 
1. Limbs feeble. 
2. Length of fore limb much less than 
half distance between fore and hind 
limbs. 
3. Length of hind-limb one half dis- 
tance between hind and fore limbs. 
4. Third and fourth toes shorter than 
cleft of mouth. 
5. Trunk with thirteen lateral cross- 
folds. 
6. Tail sub-cylindrical at base. 
7. Tongue large, covering whole bottom 
of mouth, hind margin free. 
8. Series of palatine teeth, distinctly in- 
terrupted in middle. 
P. persimilis. 
1. Well developed. 
2. Length of fore-limb exactly half this 
distance. 
3. More than this. 
4. Longer than cleft of mouth. 
5. Only twelve. 
6. Compressed. 
7. Narrow, elliptical, not covering whole 
bottom of mouth, without free pos- 
terior margin. 
8. Series sub-continuous. 
These points of difference justify Mr. Mivart in placing the Siamese newt 
in a new genus, whose name, founded on lingual characters, is Pectoglossa. 
He retains Dr. Gray’s specific title. 
The Muscular Anatomy of the Iguana^ forms the subj ect of another memoir 
which Mr. Mivart has sent us, and which is amply illustrated, and deserves 
the attention of herpetologists. 
Termination of Nerves in Muscles of Animals. — Notwithstanding all that 
Dr. Beale has written and demonstrated on this point, we still find conti- 
nental histologists adhering to the old opinion that there is a terminal plate, 
to which the ultimate fibres are conjoined. The latest paper on this subject 
is that of Professor Trinchese of Genoa, whose conclusions have been thus 
formulated.* 1. In all animals in which it has been possible to study the 
termination of motor nerves, a special organ has been found, named the 
Quart. Jour. Micros. Sci.j January. 
