174 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
of Palsemon serratus and Astacus fluviatilis. He points out the differences 
of the mode of development from Porcellio, which he has lately described, 
and directs particular attention to the mode in which the body becomes 
curved. 
Deep-sea Crustacea from the Bay of Bengal.* * * § — Drs. A. Alcock 
and A. R. Anderson give an account of a collection of deep-sea Crustacea 
containing 96 species, exclusive of Paguridse, obtained between 91 and 
1370 fathoms. Of these 96 species, 31 appear to be undescribed, while 
15 are new to the Indian fauna. The most interesting appear to be 
Engystenopus, a deep-sea Stenopid allied to Stenopus , Bathyankyristes , a 
Galatheid allied to Munidopsis , and ArcJieoplax, a crab of a remarkable 
antique facies, which seems to be closely allied to Cymopolia. 
Blind Crayfishes of Indiana.! — Mr. W. P. Hay found in the Siloh 
cave a number of blind Crayfishes. They did not appear to be at all 
sensitive to light, nor did they notice a loud call or a shrill whistle. 
Disturbance of the water does not seem to affect them, and it is only 
when they are touched that they manifest fear. Large specimens could 
inflict a pretty severe nip, but they did not appear to be as strong as 
outside species. When first taken from the water they were of translu- 
cent pinkish-white colour, with the stomach showing through as a blue 
body. Immersion in alcohol soon changed the colour to an opaque white, 
and obscured all traces of the internal organs. On examination the 
species was determined to be Cambarus pellucidus ; the variation in length 
of the rostrum and the general spininess of the body is very great. It 
is stated that as a rule this Crayfish is smoother the further north it 
occurs. 
Atyidse.t — Mr. A. E. Ortmann has made a study of the systematic 
and geographical distribution of this family of Decapoda. The Atyidae 
are confined to the fresh waters of the tropics and sub-tropics, since they 
cannot endure cold, are true fresh-water animals, and, being of an 
ancient type, are probably restricted by the occurrence of other fresh- 
water animals. 
Crustacea of the Caspian Sea.§ — Prof. G. 0. Sars has a further 
contribution on this subject. || He continues his account of the Gamma- 
ridge and describes nine new species of the genus Gammarus. The genus 
Niphargoides is founded on Grimm’s Niphargus caspius, with which genus 
it has no close affinity as nearly all the appendages are very differently 
constructed — indeed its nearest ally appears to be Pontoporeia. 
Development of Schizopods.^F — Herr J. Wagner withdraws a previous 
note on the development of Neomysis vulgaris. In regard to the origin 
of the germinal layers, he agrees in general with Bergh. At the 
beginning of the tail formation, the embryo shows (1) a heart-shaped 
ectodermic thickening, the true embryonic streak ; (2) mesoderm cells, 
* Journ. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, lxiii. (1894) pp. 141-85 (1 pi.). 
f Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., xvi. (1894) pp. 283-6 (2 pis.). 
X Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad., 1894, pp. 397-416. 
§ Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. St. Petersburg, i. (1894) pp. 343-78 (7 pis.). 
|| See this Journal, 1894, p. 679. 
If Zool. Anzeig., xvii. (1894) pp. 437-40. 
