560 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
after removal, fresh specimens revealed the presence of numerous free 
parasites. Sections showed that the yeast-cells formed a mass in the 
centre of the tumour; most of the parasites were degenerated, only a 
few staining well. It does not appear that there were any secondary 
deposits in the bird. Neither in the dog nor in the cock were there any 
appearances of inflammation in or around the tumours. The parasites 
resemble in appearance the cancer bodies depicted by Soudakewitsch and 
others ; that is to say, the bodies are invested by a highly refracting 
membrane, usually having a double contour and containing a hyaline 
protoplasm, with one or more central or excentric refracting granules. 
Micro-organism of Cancer.* * * § — Dr. J. Braithwaite describes a Hypho- 
mycete which he has found in epitheliomata of ear, uterus, breast, lip, 
and penis. The life of the fungus consists of four stages: (1) spores, 
(2) zygospores, (3) spore-masses and spore-bags, (4) mycele which is 
emitted from the ruptured spore-bags. The mycele gives origin to the 
spores. Sections of the different tumours were treated with liquor potassae 
and then mounted in Farrant’s medium. Attempts at staining rendered 
the parasite almost invisible ; but owing to its great refractive power the 
fine colourless mycele was easily distinguished. 
Parasites of Adeno-carcinoma.t — Dr. D. B. Koncali describes the 
appearances found in a case of Adeno-carcinoma of the ovary (infectious 
papilloma). In the cells of this neoplasm there occur with some- 
frequency bodies, mostly round, invested in a definite membrane which 
may be doubly contoured. This capsule encloses protoplasm which is 
generally homogeneous and highly refractive. Sometimes the protoplasm 
contains chromatin and may be highly coloured. The protoplasm may be 
in the centre or even excentric. The bodies multiply by budding. The 
parasite is said to be of vegetable origin and to be a yeast. 
Protophyta. 
a. Scliizopliyceae. 
Vegetation of Hot Springs.^ — Dr. L. Buscalioni has examined the 
scum ( muffe ) found on the surface of the hot springs of Valdieri in 
Piedmont, and finds it to consist of the following organisms: — Anabsena 
bullosa ; one of the sulphur-bacteria ; Leptothrix Valdevia , which forms 
the larger part of the scum ; a Mastigocladus ; and Hapalosiphon lami- 
nosus, belonging to the Nostocaceae. The author discusses at great 
length the complicated synonymy of these various organisms ; and the 
relationship of those belonging to Valdieri with those found in other 
hot springs, and comes to the conclusion that the theory of Hansgirg 
with regard to the polymorphism of the lower algae must, in their case, 
be accepted with caution. 
Spring Vegetation in the Lake of Plon.§ — Dr. 0. Zacharias notes 
that while in the winter months Melosira distans var. Isevissima is almost 
alone in the water of the lake, other species begin to occur in February, 
* Lancet, 1895, i. pp. 1636-8 (3 figs.). 
t Ann. de Microgr., vii. (1895) pp. 145-57 (1 pi. and 66 figs.). 
X Malpighia, ix. (1895) pp. 158-84 (1 pi.). 
§ Biol. Centralbl., xv. (1895) pp. 517-9. 
