282 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING- TO 
which has a paired origin in ontogeny, is regenerated from an unpaired 
proliferation of the ectodermic epithelium. 
Enigmatical Bodies in Body-cavity of Ophelia.* * * § — MM. Kunstler 
and Gravel have investigated in Ojphelia hicornis the peculiar structures 
sometimes described as amcebocytes. These structures are especially re- 
markable in that they contain an internal elongated axis of dark brown 
or black colour, which divides the protoplasm of the cell into two un- 
equal portions, whose margins usually bear pseudopodial elongations. A 
nucleus is imbedded in the protoplasm near the axial rod. The cor- 
puscles float freely in the perivisceral fluid, and, according to the authors, 
are different at every stage of development from the true lymph-corpuscles 
of the fluid. They vary greatly in number, but are rarely entirely absent. 
One of their most striking characteristics is the fact that they reproduce 
themselves rapidly, the axis playing an important part in the process. 
It gives off small dark-coloured buds, which become free in the general 
protoplasm. At about the same time the nucleus begins to divide up, and 
these secondary nuclei become associated each with one or more of the 
axial buds, and surround themselves with a layer of protoplasm. The 
comjfleted buds then pass out into the surrounding medium, and grow to 
the adult size. After rapid production of such buds, the parent elements 
exhibit senile changes, but seem to possess recuperative power, and by 
“ condensation of their protoplasm become converted into young forms.’' 
The authors believe that these observations confirm the view pre- 
viously expressed by one of them (M. Kunstler), that these structures 
are aberrant parasitic Rhizopods ( Dumontia opheliarum ). 
In another brief note j the authors reject the suggestion made by 
M. P. Stephan, that these structures are analogous to certain abnormal 
blood-corpuscles found in decomposing specimens of the fish Merluccius 
vulgaris. 
Researches on “ Palolo.” t — Dr. Augustin Kramer gives some account 
of his observations on this curious form, which he studied in Melanesia 
at the same time as did Dr. Friedlander. In some respects he disagrees 
from the views recently expressed by the latter. § He was early shown 
the “ Palolo stones ” by the natives, but disbelieved their statements that 
the worms came out of such stones, until he noticed the fact for himself 
by chance. The stones are blocks of coral, partially covered with riving 
polypes, and partially dead coral perforated by worm-tubes. They lie 
at the edges of little bays usually about 25 metres deep and with a very 
narrow outlet to the sea, in water shallow enough to leave them uncovered 
at low sjjring tides. The stones contain a variety of worms ; but Kramer 
is of ojnnion that the true Palolo is Lysidice viridis Gray, and not a 
species of Eunice as Friedlander suggested. As to the cause of its peri- 
odical appearance at the surface, the author emphasises the low spring 
tides and the position of the sun in the zenith as the determining causes 
of the swarming, together with the darkness of the nights at the times 
when the worms appear. 
* Arch. Anat. Microsc., ii. (1898) pp. 305-51 (2 pis. and 2 figs.), 
t (Jomptes Eendus, cxxviii. (1899) 2 pp. 
t Biol. Centralbl., xix. (1899) pp. 15-30 (4 figs.). 
§ Of. this Journal, 1898, p. 420. 
