Abstract
THE Quarterly Journal of Microscopial Science, January.—The anatomy of the Madreporian coral Fungia, by G. C. Bourne (plates xxiii. to xxv.). During a visit to Diego Garcia (an atoll lying in 7° 13′ S. lat., 72° 23′ E. long.) which extended from the middle of September 1885 to the middle of January 1886, the author was able to collect and preserve a large number of specimens of Fungia dentata. These Fungise were very abundant within the lagoon, where at low spring tides they could be collected by scores from depths of from three to ten feet: a prolonged search failed to secure any specimens under two inches in diameter, or an example of the nurse-stock. It is suggested that the time of the year was the cause of this; the depth of the water in which the search had to be made was also unfortunate for such investigations. The name “mesoglœa,” suggested by Prof. Lankester, is used to denote the supporting lamina of Cœlenterata: the only seeming objection to the name is that it is the name of a well-known genus of Algæ.—On some points in the development of Petromyzon fluviatilis, by Arthur E. Shipley (plates xxvi. to xxix.). The material was obtained by fertilising the eggs of the ripe female Lampern, hatching the larvæ out, and rearing them in confinement. The summary is too long for abstracting, but it may be mentioned that the early development of the skeleton is described up to the stage where Prof. Parker commenced his researches.—The ammoniacal decomposition of urine, by Dr. W. R. Smith (plate xxx.). Records a series of observations proving that the ammoniacal decomposition of urine is brought about by the presence of a Micrococcus which differs from that described by Prof. W. Leube, inasmuch as it liquefies gelatine. Though about twenty different organisms were isolated from one sample of healthy urine, only this one acted so.—Notes on Echinoderm morphology, No. 10; on the supposed presence of symbiotic Algæ in Antedon rosacea, by P. Herbert Carpenter (plate xxx.). Discusses the views of Vogt and Yung as to the Sacculi of Antedon being symbiotic Algæ, and considers these views as certainly not proven; an opinion which Perrier seems by intuition to have already ascribed to him.—The function of nettle-cells, by Dr. R. von Lendenfeld (plate xxx.). The plasmotic contractile coat of the cnidoblast is incited to action by the cnidocil: the animal can control this action.—Some new methods of using the aniline dyes for staining Bacteria, by E. H. Hankin. Illustrations of the structure and life-history of Phytophthora infestans, by Prof. H. Marshall Ward (plates xxxi. and xxxii.).—On the formation and liberation of the zoospores in the Sapro-legnieæ, by Dr. Marcus M. Hartog.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Scientific Serials . Nature 35, 404–406 (1887). https://doi.org/10.1038/035404b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/035404b0