ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
615 
Protozoa. 
Ophrydium versatile and its Zoochlorellse.* — M. P. A. Dangeard 
lias studied the structure of this Infusorian and of its coloured guests. 
The cyst recalls that of the Vorticellae ; the ectocyst disappears under 
the influence of concentrated potash, sulphuric, chromic, or nitric acids ; 
the endocyst resists the prolonged action of these reagents. The 
macronucleus, which in ordinary individuals has the form of a greatly 
elongated cord, becomes spherical in the cysts ; similar observations 
were made by Stein in Epistylis hranchiophila and by Entz in Actinobolus 
radians. The author has no doubt that the Zoochlorellae are true 
individuals ; they are Algee, belonging to the Protococcaceae, which live 
in the interior of their host ; they are most nearly similar in organiza- 
tion, development, and size to Palmella hyalina. We know but little as 
to the part which they play. If they are symbiotic the Infusorian 
profits little by their presence. M. Dangeard suggests that they secrete 
a gelatinous matter which is utilized by the Infusorian in producing the 
gelatinous masses which Ophrydium is known to form. 
Observations on Acinetma.j — The same author gives us the results 
of his studies of Podophrya jixa, Metacineta mystacina , and Trichophrya 
angulata sp. n. In the last he has observed a mode of nutrition which 
is very similar to that of Rliizopoda. Although several authors have 
described a considerable enlargement of the tentacles for the ingestion 
of food, none have yet demonstrated the direct entrance of food without 
the intermediation of the tentacles ; that it should happen in this species 
is, no doubt, due to the great plasticity of its body, the contours of 
which are easily modified, and to the absence of a solid membrane. 
Notes on Flagellata.J — In another communication M. P. A. Dangeard 
speaks of the homology of flagella with pseudopodia, which is not 
freely admitted by some authors. From some observations which he 
has made on a Cercomonas, he concludes that the flagella are only con- 
densed protoplasm, and that they may be formed directly by the trans- 
formation of pseudopodia, while, inversely, a flagellum may become a 
pseudopodium. He thinks that the affinities of the true Flagellata are 
with the Amoebae. 
Loxodes.§ — Prof. E. G. Balbiani gives a detailed account of this 
Ciliate, the affinities of which have been so much disputed. As the 
author’s historical account shows, many distinguished observers have 
busied themselves with this form. Loxodes rostrum exhibits considerable 
variability in size, and the figures given by Wrzesniowski apply best to 
larger examples. There are also differences in coloration, the smallest 
being perfectly colourless. Conjugation has not yet been observed, and 
the author brings his detailed account to an end without offering any 
general conclusions as to the results of his investigation. 
Cryptomonadinse and Euglenae.|| — M. P. A. Dangeard continues f 
his studies on these questionable Protozoa, which he somewhat positively 
* Le Botaniste (2) i. (1890) pp. 1-14 (1 pi. and 2 figs.), 
f T. c., pp. 14-29 (12 figs.). f T. c., pp. 27-33 (2 figs.). 
§ Ann. de Micrographie, ii. (1890) pp. 401-31 (1 pi.) 
11 Le Botaniste, i. (1889) pp. 1-38 (1 pi.). 
•j] See this Journal, 1888, pp. 754-5. 
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