Corethra Plumicornis.

BY HENRY MILLS.

No. 3.

attention. Without illustrations it would be impossible to give any adequate idea of this interesting object; and to be fully appreciated, the creature itself must be seen for a long time, and in many positions. We can refer, however, to the Popular SciMONG the many ence Review for 1865, in which is a valuable interesting mi- paper by Ray Lankester, with drawings. croscopic objects Also to the "Transactions of the Microfound in the scopical Society for 1867," where there is vicinity of Buf- an article by Rymer Jones, with very beaufalo, is one well tifully executed illustrations. Both the known to micro- above articles are good, but not exhaustive. scopists of the This creature has six pairs of oral appenfirst class in Eng- dages, and one pair of auxiliary spikes beland, but a stran- neath the mouth. The first pair are long ger in this coun- hooks forming a sort of beak, and giving try, so far as we the animal a remarkable appearance even know, till very with a pocket magnifier. Behind these are recently discovered in the ponds in this five other pairs or sets-one or two plulocality by members of the Buffalo Micro- mose-for various offices connected with scopical Club. the seizing, holding and eating of its prey. We have reference to the skeleton larva Some of these hooks are of wondrous of Corethra Plumicornis, a dipterous insect shape and beauty; and all together they go placed by some under the family Tipulidae, to make up a most interesting mouth. but probably more correctly belonging to The eyes are large and compound in charCulicidæ. acter. In close proximity to the large one, This is a small animal about five-eighths is a simple rudimentary eye, which Lanof an inch in length, and one-sixteenth of kester thinks is a mere mass of pigment, an inch in width, so transparent that it and not provided with a lens. Accordwould probably escape notice altogether, ing to the same writer, the animal has were it not for its black eyes and two dark eleven segments. The dark spots on the spots on its back. An extraordinary jerk- back, referred to above, are two pairs of ing motion when seizing its prey, or mov- respiratory organs. The first pair is near ing from place to place, might also attract the head, and the second pair is on the

third segment from the tail. These respir- the form of small pellets, which in the atory organs are made up of spiral threads, Melosireæ, Fragilarieæ, and other forms, are precisely after the manner of the silk-worm exactly similar to the cell contents of the and other insecta; and when the larva conferveæ. I shall also here, as with the passes into the pupa state, these become algae, call these contents gonimic substance compressed and elongated, and fall into (substantia gonimica). Ehrenberg calls their proper place, forming the principal them ovaries, because he considers the diatracheal tubes. Near the first pair of these toms organized animals, but it is remarkorgans may be seen the gizzard, and the able that such an ovary in its development slender canal leading to the alimentary presents revelations which only find their canal. The large intestine comes after the analogy in decided plant forms, and not the second pair of respiratory organs. With a least thing has been observed as yet which good objective, and careful manipulation, could justify Ehrenberg's assertion. The may be seen the whole alimentary canal gonimic substance is indeed colored brownand chain of nervous ganglia, as well as ish yellow, but it becomes in many dried the action of the simple dorsal vessel or diatomaceæ green, after the drying, (esheart, as it draws and returns the nutritive pecially in the fresh water Melosirea). fluid. The plumes on the posterior part Chlorohydric acid also changes the brown of the body are, one terminal, and one lat- color to a beautiful green, and alcohol eral. The terminal plume consists of four draws out of the fresh living, and likewise feather-like hairs, and the lateral twenty- out of dried specimens, a green colored two. The last named is fan-shaped, and is stuff which comports itself like Chlorophyll. not only ornamental in the highest degree, but undoubtedly serves as a rudder, as it seems to be just what would be needed to enable the animal to make its rapid jerking movements. There are also four terminal plates which are connected with the tracheal system.

In addition to this gonimic substance, one also finds, in almost all forms, bright colorless balls, which look like little bubbles or globules; sometimes their number is small, often only two are apparent, again there are cases where they are numerously developed, and it appears to me that the We urge all microscopists to be on the condition of the weather has an effect upon lookout for this beauty, assuring them that, them; thus, one finds e. g. Navicula gracilis, if successful, they will be well paid for in the early spring days with us, with only their trouble. The larvæ are eminently in- a few of these pellets, but the same species, teresting, showing at a glance, and without after continued warm weather, shows the difficulty, except that of ordinary skilful so-called bright bubbles in great number; manipulation, the whole internal structure I have observed the same thing in Gompho

of a very fine specimen of animal life. Buffalo, N. Y.

nema dichotomum, and Diatoma mesodon. There appears to be here a case parallel to the starch structure in the Closteriea, Euas

The Siliceous Shelled Bacillariæ or Dia-tree and Conferved; these little balls are

tomaceæ.

Continued from page 167, Vol. II. ENERALLY these organic substances

shown in our plates Tab. 3, xxxiii, xxxiv, xxxvii, 1; Tab. 6, iva, iii, viii, ix, xiii; Tab. 16, iii, 3, 4, 5, 9; Tab. 30, fig. 39, 48, 57, 78. Ehrenberg has called them seed vesihas

skin, which subsequently splits in length convinced me that these supposed seed and also in breadth, so that in many cases vesicles are mere oil-drops, and have not it is divided into four plates, which later the slightest envelope; that they were oilseparate themselves into smaller parts; and drops I perceived in 1835, when I examined occupy then the interior of the frustule in in Trieste, the Micromega myxacanthum

(Tab. 24, viii, 4, 5). I noticed that by colored matter possible, without assuming slight pressure between two glass plates, the digestion of the same by the diatomthe drops extended, then united and flowed aceæ,* and the separation in or upon the out, so that they were frequently to be seen little bodies lying nearest to the middle in the mucous envelope outside the Na- opening, is so much the clearer, because vicula (Tab. 24, viii, fig. 5*). One can easily here the nearest inward parts exert a see the separation of these drops in all the stronger mechanical attraction upon the Naviculeæ, if one observes them during the penetrating fluid than elsewhere; also drying under the microscope; just as the Ehrenberg says, "In dead animals the inner moisture of the frustule, which envelopes parts color themselves indiscriminately." the oil drops, and maintains their form, If now these bodies were truly stomach disappears, they will spread themselves on cells, they must be present necessarily, and the frustule and vanish. Here the oil seems to take the place of the starch in the cotyledons of the cruciferes.

always, in all individuals and in all species, but it is not so. I have, moreover, often observed (and make this assertion at the Finally, there are still other forms which same time when millions of Navicula gracilis Ehrenberg calls "stomach sacs (Magen- and other species are before me, living in a blasen). I have noticed them especially in dish), that in many individuals, the supa few Naviculed where, particularly, they posed stomach cells are totally wanting, lie around the middle opening of the valve which indeed could not be the case if they (Nebenseiten). They appear to be small, represented so important an organ as the well defined rounded bodies, mostly white, stomach. which in Navicula gracilis (Tab. 3, xlviii, All diatoms secrete out of the opening of first and fourth figures), Stauroneis platy- their frustules a slimy substance (substantia stoma, (Tab. 3, xlviii, a, b), arrange them- gelinea) which is not always observed in the selves in a circle around the middle open- Naviculea if they are not massed together, ing. In Navicula major (Tab. 4, xx, a) they but mixes itself with the water and disapare also present, but irregularly disposed. pears. If, however, certain species (e. g. In Navicula cuspidata (Tab. 3, xxxvii) they Navicula Appendiculata) only live in moist form two somewhat crooked longitudinal places, then this slimy mucous substance rows. Ehrenberg has ("Die Infusorien," increases, and the Naviculeæ are completely etc., p. 242) seen these bodies become blue, enveloped by it. Something similar to this when he placed various diatoms in water takes place if diatoms in a little water rise mixed with indigo, and he thence concludes to the surface, and keep themselves in a that the middle opening of the valve is the mass, then the secreted slime runs off, but mouth, and the indigo colored bodies stom- not wholly, into the water, but spreads ach sacs, which had absorbed the colored itself as a tender skin upon the surface of fluid; but there is something suspicious the water, uniting the single, and often very about this, that the Naviculed only take up varied individuals. I have found different the color when one lets them stand before- diatoms quite as frequently enveloped in hand a few days in indigo water, and then this slime as without it. Thus one finds, pours off this, and presents new water and not unfrequently, in the spring, upon stones new indigo; the absorption does not follow in gently flowing waters, very soft mucous then in all cases like that in the true Infusorieæ, but only under certain restrictions; (moreover, I have not hitherto been able to observe this absorption of colored mat-e. g. Stauroneis, and also along the alae of the ter, although I have made many attempts, strictly according to Ehrenberg's directions). There is, indeed, an absorption of the truth.-Trans.

*So far as the absorption of indigo is concerned, there can be no doubt that this does occur along the raphe or median line of many of the diatoms,

Surirellea, but I have never seen it color the balls alluded to. Ehrenberg and Kutzing assume that the central and terminal nodules are openings, an idea long since abandoned, and the very reverse of

masses, which contain various species and themselves in rows; often many such rows genera (Meridion circulare, Cymbelleæ, Gom- appear beside each other, and in this case phonemeæ, Synedreæ, etc.), which one finds every individual now occupied only its own also scattered between conferva and other particular tube, the tube grows like the fresh water algae. Therefore this formless branched stems of Rhipidophora, Licmophmucous envelope cannot always be affixed ora, and allied genera, and forms itself ás a specific character, as Ehrenberg has into branched gelatinous threads, or, in the considered it. The movements of the sin- higher developed forms into stiff, branched gle diatoms depend upon the separation or little trees, of firm cartilaginous consistadherence of the slime; the latter becomes ence, which has a striking similarity to the suppressed in all the Navicule and their bodies (phycoma) of the higher species of allies. As soon as the separated slime algae (Spaerococcus, Gigartina, Chondria, gains consistency, and so becomes the oc- etc.) (Tab. 28, i-iii). casion of a social connection with a number of individuals, one then always observes

To be continued.

that the congregated individuals unite, and Annual Address by President Henry C. order themselves to each other, according to certain rules, either in longitudinal or diagonal rows, or star or fan-shaped. This

Hyde to the San Francisco Microscopical Society.

SAN FRANCISCO, February 13, 1879, arrangement I have observed in most Navic- To the Members of the San Francisco Microscopiuleœ that I have kept in my room living in cal Society: cups moistened with a little water.

GENTLEMEN-Another year of our or

In many other cases this so-called mucous-ganization has elapsed, and at the close of like substance separates itself remarkably the seventh year of our society's existence, at the ends; many diatoms, e. g. Synedraeæ, it has become my duty, as well as pleasure, Gomphonemeœ, Melosireœ, and allied genera, to give you a brief statement of our prolike to fasten themselves on certain firm gress, material and otherwise, and, to some objects in the water, and order themselves extent, the progress of microscopical sciin a more or less regular manner, and attach ence in general. themselves by means of the slimy gelatinous During the present year our society has substance which they secrete upon the had an accession of eleven new members, sessile end. This substance is occasionally of whom two were resident and nine coronly a little observable (e. g. in the Syne- responding. We have lost one resident drea, which belong to the tribe Ulnaria) member by resignation; none, I am happy in many species it is so apparent that it to state, by death or default of dues; and spreads itself out into a distinct foot (stipes) we now number 30 resident members and upon which the body sits fast, (e. g. Syne- 48 corresponding; 10 life and 5 honorary dra fasciculata and allied forms (Tab. 15, members. fig. v) this foot lengthens itself in time (Tab. 15, xiii and xiv, and Tab. 16, i), and becomes in the Gomphomemea, Rhipidophoreæ, etc., a long dichotomising branched thread (Tab. 8, xiv) which also, in many cases, is recognizable as a tube (Tab. 13, Fig. ii).

We have held during the year twentyfive stated meetings; all, indeed, that we could hold, with the exception of the one occurring on the national holiday, and one other occasion when we lacked a quorum.

Our meetings have been fairly attended, the average attendance being 11; and the entire roll of visitors for the year numbering 42.

In certain genera, (Encyonema, Schizonema, Micromega, etc.,) the separated slime develops itself into a gelatinous tube (tubu- Our annual reception was held at Merlus gelineus) in which the frustules, in- cantile Library Hall, on the 23d of May, creased in number by sub-division, order 1878, and was largely attended. There were

twenty-two exhibitors, using thirty micro- Dr. Gustav Eisen has presented to the scopes, with the usual variety of objects society his published monograph on the and apparatus, and some few novelties anatomy of the Ocnerodrilus (a species which were fully discussed at the time. But of earth worm), remarkable for its fine illusone thing I may remark, and that is, the trations of the minute anatomy of these noticeably unabated interest in this class of animals, and the perfection of detail exscientific exhibitions, and the increased hibited in the drawings. number of fine instruments in use. I be- Mr. W. A. Woodward, in behalf of the lieve these receptions, of which that of last Victorian Government of Australia, has May was the sixth, have done a great deal presented us with four magnificent folios toward spreading the desire of cultivated upon those wonderful plants, the "Orchids and intelligent persons to possess and un- of Australia." derstand the uses of an instrument of such Our library now contains not less than exquisite finish and perfection as the modern 412 volumes-an accession of 135 volumesmicroscope, and which, in the hands of any of a value known to but few of the memintelligent person, is, if nothing more, a bers; and the treasures of which, in all their piece of mechanism, an optical contrivance, richness, are hardly accessible to any of an intellectual toy, capable of gratifying a us-this resulting from lack of space, proper laudable curiosity into the constitution of classification, and sufficient cataloguing and everything about us, and of exhibiting the indexing. To reform this would be to many marvellous beauties which nature has jeal- of us a labor of love, and I have promised ously placed beyond the reach of our un- myself, with some assistance, the accomaided human vision, to an absolutely un- plishment of it at an early day. limited extent. Our library, which numbered 277 volumes last counting, numbered 859 mounted at the close of last year, has since that time slides, has received so many additions that received some notable and valuable addi- I can only mention a few of the most intions.

The cabinet of the society, which, at the

teresting. Among these may certainly be assigned a small but valuable collection of slides mounted by Dr. Carpenter, the father of modern microscopy, with his own

By purchase, we have acquired nearly 90 volumes from the library of Dr. Arthur Meade Edwards, the very cream of a large and rare collection of scientific literature, handwriting upon them-several appearing and at extremely low prices.

to be the indentical originals of illustrations By donation, we have been favored by in his well-known and valuable Manual on Dr. Wythe with four fine volumes-two of the Microscope. These were the donation text, and two atlases of plates of Raspails' of Rev. Dr. Bleasdale, of Melbourne. "Nouveau Systeme de Physiologie Vege- Mr. Attwood, of Saucelito, has supplied tale" and his "Nouveau Systeme de Chimie us with quite an extensive collection of rock Organique;" and by Mr. C. W. Banks with sections and fragments of the rocks from three volumes of Harvey's "Phycollogia which the sections were cut (twenty-two in Britanica"-perhaps the finest work on number), to illustrate a novel and most British algae extant-containing upward of effectual method of examining and study450 beautifully colored plates, besides some ing rock structure, of such extreme simtwenty-six specimens of algæ, exquisitely mounted on cardboard, so that these natural types may be compared, side by side, with their colored figures and printed description. Many of the specimens have microscopic shells and diatomaceæ still adhering to them.

plicity as to enable the most unskilled manipulator to conveniently and quickly examine the structure of rocks without making sections, which, with all the necessary tools and appliances, is, at best, a tedious and troublesome business. The method is briefly this: A fragment of rock