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small operculum is detached from the lesser end of the shell, and the embryo 
makes its escape. It is composed of concentric spheres. The external 
envelope is made up of large prismatic cells, arranged side by side, and 
covered with myriads of beautiful delicate cilia. By the aid of this 
apparatus the embryo swims rapidly in the water, but its movements 
soon slacken, and after a time they cease, and the coating of cilia disap- 
pears. Within this external envelope the second sphere moves freely, and 
armed at one of its poles with three pairs of hooklets just like those which 
are seen in the embryo of tsenia. The outer membrane is formed of very 
pale nucleated cells. The strong resemblance of this embryo, on the one 
hand to tHe digenetic Trematrodes, and on the other to the Cysticerci, leads 
M. Bertolus to believe that, in order to complete its development, this young 
larva must encyst itself in the parenchyma of some aquatic animal. He is 
inclined to think that there is a decided relationship between the Ligula 
nodosa of Rudolphi, which lives in the conjunctiva of the salmon, and 
the Bothriocephalus latus , whose development he has described. — Comptes 
Rendus, September 21, 1863. 
Influence of Infusoria (?) over the Process of Germination in Plants . — 
M. Lemaire has discovered, that if a few beans be placed on a moist sponge, 
numerous Bacteria make their appearance before germination begins, 
and are followed in about forty-eight hours by monads and vibriones. The 
same occurs if a soil be employed which has been previously brought to 
a red heat. If a small quantity of phenic acid, which prevents the de- 
velopment of Infusoria, be used, then germination will not take place. 
