284 
SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 
it with the fibres of the main strands. Nor is there any histological 
evidence that the commissure represents a central organ. 
Phylogenetically, the primitive condition was probably the irregular 
diffuse network from which the two main longitudinal strands were first 
differentiated. 
Parasites from Berbera.* * * § — Dr. Max Liihe describes various Hel- 
minths found during an African expedition. In 11 specimens of the 
flamingo found near Tunis, two adults of Amabilia lamelligera Owen 
were found, and also three other smaller Taeniae. The first of these was 
Teenia liguloides Gerv., not previously described for the flamingo. With 
it occurred numerous small worms which were identical with Taenia 
Caroli Par. ; but, as examination showed these to be merely immature 
examples of the preceding form, the species T. Caroli Par. must there- 
fore be dropped in favour of Gervais’ species. The remaining examples 
constitute new species described as T. megalorchis sp. n. and T. ischno- 
rhyncha sp. n. Among other parasites were a new Distoma (D. micro- 
pharyngeum sp. n.) in the gall-bladder, and an Echinostomum (E. plioenico- 
pteri) in the small intestine. 
In civet-cats from the neighbourhood of Tunis the author also found 
some new species of Dipylidium. To one of these he gives the name of 
D. triseriale sp. n., to the otl er — a nearly related form — that of D. monoo- 
phorum sp. n. 
Trematodes in Freshwater Mussels.j — Mr. C. A. Kofoid notes that 
Aspidogaster conchicola , which infests the pericardium, liver, and kidneys 
of many Unionidse, occurs in America as well as in Europe ; that Cotyl- 
aspis insignis Leidy is a sexually mature form, and not a stage in the life- 
cycle of A. conchicola or of any other species ; that Platyaspis anodontae 
Osborn is a synonym of Cotylaspis insignis ; and that Monticelli’s genus 
Platyaspis cannot be reduced to a synonym of Cotylaspis from data at 
present available. 
Variation in Distoma.;^ — Herr Severin Jacoby has recently ob- 
tained eleven specimens of Distoma heterolecithoides Braun, a species 
remarkable for its unpaired yolk-gland. In eight of the specimens the 
yolk-gland was at the left side, in three at the right. Close examina- 
tion showed that other variations of the reproductive organs are also 
common. In the nearly related D. lanceolatum Pud., similar variations 
occur, thus five examples out of sixteen showed complete inversion of 
the genitalia. 
Appendiculate Distomes.§ — Dr. H. S. Pratt describes in detail an 
append iculate Distome — probably identical with Apoblema appendicula- 
tum — which seems to have its first host in a Copepod (e.g. Pseudocalanus). 
and its second in a fish (e.g. Clupea'). He discusses the integument and 
cuticula, the musculature and parenchyma, the alimentary, nervous, ex- 
cretory, and reproductive systems. He interprets the appendix, pro- 
visionally, as the excretory vesicle, or at least the hinder portion of it, 
which has evaginated in order to increase the length of the body, perhaps 
* SB. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, xl. (1898) pp. 619-28 (4 figs.). 
t Zool. Bull., ii. (1899) pp. 179-86. 
X Zool. Anzeig., xxii. (18y9) pp 133-5. 
§ Zool. Jalirb., xi. (1898) pp. 351-88 (3 pis.). 
