ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 
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arise. In an unknown manner the formic aldehyde serves as the starting 
point for nitrogenous compounds (e.g. formaldoxime and formamide), 
and these give origin to the nitrogenous reserve asparagin. The latter 
is somehow associated with carbohydrates to form proteids. The 
synthesis of fat is equally mysterious. The various sets of carbon- 
compounds formed by plants are oxidised in the animal body, and C0 2 
is the last term, as it was the first. 
Possible Role of Electricity in Vital Processes.* — F. Solvay re- 
cords (1) that the synthesis of a sugar has been effected by Dr. A. 
Slosse by passing an electric current for five hours through a mixture 
of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, both dry and pure ; and (2) that the 
synthesis of urea has been similarly effected from carbon monoxide and 
ammonia, both dry and pure. 
Terminology of Classification.! — M. Charles Janet discusses the 
categories of classification, of which he recognises fourteen, and the 
best endings for the terms. It is difficult, however, to change old 
usages or to secure unanimity on the subject. 
Tunicata. 
Classification of Molgulidse-! — M. Antoine Pizon finds that the 
characters of the branchial apparatus cannot be relied upon to define 
the major divisions of the family. Thus the new genus Gamaster has 
its branchial system exactly like that of Eugyra , while the genital organ 
is situated on the right side instead of on the left. The genera Para- 
molgula Traustedt, Bostrichobranchus Traustedt, and Anurella Lac.- 
Duth. are without value, and Pera Stimpson is very doubtful. There 
remain eight genera, which may be arranged in three sections : — 
(1) Molgulidae with a single gonad situated on the right side ; 
Gamaster g. n. 
(2) MolgulidaB with a single gonad situated on the left side 
(misprinted in the text) ; Eugyra Hancock, Eugyriopsis 
g. n. 
(3) Molgulidae with paired gonads: — Astropera g. n., Molgula 
Forbes, Ctenicella Lac.-Duth., Stomatropa g. n., and Asco- 
pera Herdm., which may be arranged according to the 
curvature of the intestine and the state of the siphons. 
Classification of Tunicata.§ — Prof. E. Terrier discusses the position 
and classification of Tunicata, starting from the conclusion that Verte- 
brates comparable to Amphioxus have given rise to Tunicates. The 
Cynthiidae have undergone least modification from the suj>posed ancestral 
type. The Larvacea, such as Appendicular ia, are not primitive forms, 
but are arrested larvae with precocious reproduction. We cannot, how- 
ever, follow the author into the more detailed classification. It may 
be noted in passing that he bases his arguments on the “ logical and 
rigorous application ” of the “ law of patrogonie ” (repetition of phy- 
logeny by ontogeny), which he speaks of as “a universally admitted 
principle.” 
* Bull. Acad. Roy. Bel"., xxxv. (1898) pp. 547-51. 
f Mem. Soc. Acad, de l’Oise, 1898, pp. 5-12. 
x Comptes Rendus, exxvi. (1898) pp. 1814-17. § Tom. cit., pp. 1758-62. 
