Download - Typhlorhynchus nanus: a New Rhabdocoele

Transcript

TYPHLOJIHYNOHUS NANCJS. 637

Typhlorhynchus nanus: a New Rhabdocoele.

By

F. F. Laidlaw, B.A.

With Plate 35.

THE small Rhabdocoele described below was found by Mr.Goodrich at Naples, living on the body of the Polychasteworm Nephthys scolopendroides, Delle Chiaje. He senta number of specimens preserved with Lang's reagent toDr. Gamble, who was good enough to hand them over to mefor examination. I am indebted to Mr. Goodrich for afurther series of specimens, some fixed with corrosive sub-limate and acetic acid, others with Lang's reagent; also forfigs. 2, 6 a, b, drawn from life. I have, unfortunately, beenunable to study living specimens; hence my account, especiallyas regards the genital organs, is necessarily somewhat incom-plete. The work was done in the Zoological Laboratory atOwens College.

The external appearance and genera l charac te rsare shown in PI. 35, fig. 1.

The total length of the body varies from *7 mm. to 1 mm.In size, therefore, it is quite comparable to a large infusoriansuch as Stentor polymorphus, Mull. The variations inlength between different specimens depend largely on theamount of extension or contraction of the body, especially ofthat part of it constricted off to form the snout or proboscis.

The body is spindle-shaped (see PI. 35, fig. 1), the anteriorend more pointed than the posterior. The front fifth of the

VOL. 4 5 , PART 4.—NEW SERIES. U V