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SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
by the subintestinal chain. This generalisation loses much importance 
from the fact that it certainly is not applicable to all Arthropods, but it 
corresponds almost exactly to the fundamental distribution of the vessels 
in the Annulata. Coming to the question as to whether or no the vessels 
are closed at their extremities, he finds a proof that they are, in the 
structure of the corpuscles of Kowalevsky. That author, when describing 
these corpuscles, regarded them as a mass of epithelial cells. Histo- 
logical investigation shows that the corpuscles of Kowalevsky are only a 
particular case of the termination of the vessels. The vessel which 
furnishes one of these corpuscles ends suddenly in a very dense mass 
of reticulated cells. We have then to do with a reticulated tissue which 
is stuffed with amcebocytes. Some of these last are globular and trans- 
parent, while others have an irregular outline and a delicate layer which 
stains well. All kinds of transitional forms are found between these 
two. The author comes to the conclusion that the corpuscles of 
Kowalevsky are true lymphatic ganglia ; they differ from those of Verte- 
brates in the absence of a capsule ; although there is a vessel to them, 
there is none from them, for the ganglion is truly a small sponge, whence 
the amcebocytes can emerge by every pore. 
Structure and Distribution of Myriopods.* — Dr. C. Verhoeff de- 
scribes twelve species collected in Asia Minor by Dr. K. Eschericli. 
The collection shows a close resemblance with the European fauna, 
especially with that of Dalmatia. 
The most important anatomical results are the following : — The 
genital segments of the male and female forms of Bothriogaster are very 
different. In its tracheal system this genus is highly organised, con- 
taining two very strong longitudinal stems running the whole length 
of the body, connected for each segment with two stigmata on each side, 
namely with the stigma proper to the segment and with that belonging 
to the segment in front. The terminal claws of the legs are very strong, 
the poison claws and glands are weak ; the animals seem to crush their 
prey. 
The complementary segments of Geophilidm are not reduced seg- 
ments, but differentiations of the primitive segments, as is shown by the 
musculature. The longitudinal and transverse musculature of the dorsal 
double-rings of Diplopoda belongs to the posterior segments only ; in the 
anterior segments it has been produced in consequence of the fusion of 
segments in pairs. 
The antennse of Scolopendra show anamorphosis. In the various 
species of Lysiopetalidm the number of segments is constant. The 
copulatory apparatus of Lysiopetalidse is formed from a modification of 
the appendages and ventral plates of both segments of the seventh 
thoracic double-ring ; it consists of three pairs of arms or lamella 
except in Brolemannia subgen. n., where there are only two pairs. The 
fourth joint of the tarsus of Lysiopetalidae is without joint-muscles and 
therefore passive. 
In another paper f Verhoeff classifies Palsearctic Diplopoda in ten 
groups according to habitat — field animals on hard ground, field animals 
on sandy ground, stone-animals, leaf-animals, bark-animals, plant- 
climbers, littoral forms, cave-forms, alpine forms, and imports. 
* Arch. f. Naturges., lxii. pp. 1-26 (2 pis.). f Tom. cit., pp. 27-38. 
