2 Verm. 
XV. VERMES. 
[ 1905 ] 
INTRODUCTION. 
The work recorded for 1905 shows less numerous titles than that of the 
preceding year. A considerable number of those here recorded being 
really publications of previous years which were either sent late to 
London, or omitted. There are however a number of interesting papers 
on various subjects of importance ; and the new species and genera make 
a considerable addition to the general catalogue. Parasites have been 
a subject of widespread study, particularly Ankylostoma and Filana. On 
the former Looss’ experimental work leads to highly interesting con- 
clusions as to the passage of the larva) to the intestine. 
Amongst the monographs dealing with faunistic questions are Eisen, 
Coe, Nemertinea of California from the Harriman Expedition, etc. ; and 
Katherine Bush, Tubicolous Annelids from Alaska. Also a series of 
papers by Benham on New Zealand earth-worms. Italian Oligochceta are 
dealt with by de Martiis ; parasitic faunas appear also treated at some 
length in the United States Fisheries Reports. The Royal Society reports 
on the Pearl Oyster Fisheries ; and there are amongst other treatises 
monographs on the Trematoda of Eastern Europe. A general Survey of 
Canadian parasites is also in this year’s record. 
The fauna of the Baikal district has received a good deal of attention, 
and in some papers presents bionomical material of some interest. In fact 
the bionomical Plankton Surveys form a distinct feature of the work of 
the year ; some are to hand from Belgium, from Switzerland and the 
North Italian Alps, as well as from lakes in S.E. Europe. The most 
interesting amongst these is the work by Voigt on the distribution of 
Tricladida in the mountain streams of Alsace. Voigt is able to trace 
to an apparently sufficient cause the migration of genera, and the sup- 
planting of one form due to the inroads made on its food supply by a 
competing population. The work of Zacharias and Huber on Swiss 
lake Rotifers is also of bionomical interest. Amongst various notes on 
the Tanganyika problem may be mentioned Gravier’s paper, as the most 
considerable contribution. Intimately connected with this is the subject 
dealt with by Pelsener in his paper “ Sur l’origine des animaux d’eau 
douce.” Coe’s interesting paper may be mentioned here on the degenerate 
sense organ in terrestrial N enter lea, adducing their descent from marine 
forms. 
A number of papers will be found dealing with regeneration ; and a 
great deal of minute histological work ; in some cases these subjects are 
treated in connection with physiological problems ; Nusbaum’s paper is 
one of three recording the degenerate condition of the reproductive organs 
induced in “ Starvation ” experiments. Treadwell treats of degeneration 
in Heteronereis. 
Following closely upon these are the observations on the reproductive pro- 
cesses of the Palolo. Amongst these are papers by Izuka & M c 1ntosh. 
The former treats at some length of the segmental organ, the histological 
development of which is carefully given in the literature and should prove 
of great interest. 
Perhaps the most important contribution to physiological knowledge 
is in the papers of Camille Spiess on the presence and function of cells 
containing biliary pigments in the digestive tracts of Aulostoma and 
Hirudinca. In connection with this work he makes a most valuable 
observation of the behaviour of the enzyme-secreting cells during 
digestion — noting the nuclear activity apparently quite comparable to 
that seen in other digesting tissues. 
