NEMATODA GEPHYREA. 
435 
Gordius. Villot (10) has made remarkable observations on the embryonic 
and larval states of two species. The embryo is microscopical (0 2 mm. 
long), cylindrical, consisting of (i) a retractile head provided with a circle of 
spines, and a trunk armed with 3 styles, ( 2 ) a short annulated body and tail, 
separated by a deep constriction, the tail terminating in 4 small appendages. 
By the aid of the armature of the head it enters Dipterous larvae, where it 
becomes encysted ; it is then transferred into small freshwater Cyprinoids 
(Phoxinus, Cohitts)^ where it is set free, but is encysted for a second time, and 
may be found abundantly in autumn in the walls of the intestine ; in these 
cysts, however, it enters upon its second or larval state, in which the body 
and tail are lengthened, and their limits effaced ; but the armature is re- 
tained, which almost makes it a Nematoid with the trunk of an Echinorhynch. 
The author presumes that the occurrence of adult (sexless) Gordius in 
Coleoptera and Ortlioptcra, and their emigration from these, so often ob- 
served [e. ff., according to Grube, JB. schles. Ges. 1869, p. 71, abundantly in 
larv 00 of Melolonthdjj are only accidental or abnormal phenomena. [This 
view can hardly be accepted. The difEculty is to account for the interval 
between the encysted larva in freshwater fishes and the full-grown Gordius 
in the abdominal cavity of terrestrial insects.] 
Nematoids in plants. Greeff found (SB. Ges. Marb. 1872, p. 169) certain 
tubercles on the root-fibres of Dodaxia orimtalis full of Anguillul<B in all 
stages, from the egg to the mature and pregnant state (these had previously 
been found in similar galls on the root-fibres of Sedum and grasses). On 
Anguilluhx in the leaves of Falcaria riviniiy cf. Frauenfeld, Verh. z.-b. Wien, 
xxii. p. 396. 
VIII. ACANTHOCEPHALA. 
Tanstow, ^^Zur Anatomic und Entwickelungsgeschichto dos Echino- 
rhgnchus nngustatus, Rud.” (Arch. f. Nat. xxxviii. p. 6, pi. 1), states that the 
eggs arc rapidly developed in Asellus aquaticus, whore they attain a size 
almost equalling that of the (usually mature) specimens in the perch. The 
“ lemnisci’’ are regarded as answering functionally to the intestine, and the 
ovaria and testes as distinct from the “ ligamenta suspensoria'"’ Nerve-ganglia 
are present; and the generative organs in both sexes are fully described. 
The affinities of the order are thus summed up ; — While the testes suggest 
a comparison with the Trematoda^ we are reminded of the Cestoda by the 
want of mouth and vent, the hooked trunk, and the removal of segments 
with mature ova {E. tuha')^ and of the Nematoda by the lateral vessels and 
the evolution without metamorphosis. 
Coleops (g. n.) atiguillcB: Lockwood, Am. Nat. vi. pp. 449-454, woodcut. 
IX. GEPHYREA (SIPUNCULIDA). 
Lists of the Sipunculacea observed at St. Vaast la Ilougue, RoscofF, and 
St. Male, are contributed by Grube, Abh. schles. Ges. 1868-1869, p. 128, and 
1869-1872, p. 192. (Phascolosoma ohscurunij Qi.,^mnrgnritacemn^ Sars.) 
Saenger has published (in Russian) a minute anatomical investigation of 
Halicryptus spintdosm and Priaptdus multidentatus (Moskou : 1870), which 
the Recorder is unable to abstract. 
