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Show 1888.] MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON A N E W GREGARINE. 355 condition of the integument in Didelphys; and I cannot find any reasons for believing that the integumental glands, which will shortly be described, are any smaller in Didelphys than in Myrmecobius. Apart, however, from the question as to whether the external appearance of the glandular patch in Myrmecobius is really different from that of Didelphys dimidiata, there is a close agreement between the two species in the microscopic structure of the gland. The sternal gland of Myrmecobius is a complex structure. The epidermis in this region is greatly thickened and contains numerous sudoriferous glands grouped together into oval masses. Beneath the dermis is a large compound gland the structure of which resembles tbe sudoriparous glands. In Didelphys dimidiata the elements entering into the formation of the glandular patch are precisely the same as in Myrmecobius. As in that species, there are a few hairs scattered over the surface of the gland which are too small and too few to be recognized by the naked eye. The same groups of modified sudoriparous glands as those which I termed sudoriparo us follicles in Myrmecobius occur in Didelphys dimidiata. And, finally, underneath the dermis is a compound tubular gland which, however, appears to be relatively smaller than in Myrmecobius. To describe these various glandular structures more in detail is unnecessary, as such a description would be a mere repetition of the greater part of m y paper upon Myrmecobius. It is interesting to find that there exists in both these genera, which are not in other respects very nearly related, a glandular apparatus having the same anatomical relations and the same minute structure 1. 5. Note on a new Gregarine. By F R A N K E. B E D D A R D , M.A., Prosector to the Society. [Received June 5, 1888.] The Gregarine described in the present note was found in a Perichceta which has recently been sent to me from New Zealand by Mr. W . W . Smith. This species occurred in the vesiculce seminales and in the body-cavity, and is a large Gregarine, reaching a length of l£-2 millim. I observed three stages in the development of this parasite, which I cannot identify with any described form. The smallest examples that I observed were about the same size as the common Monocystis lumbrici, but of a different form, which is illustrated in the accompanying woodcut. The body is globular, and furnished with one or two slender processes usually of greater length ; they are placed (if there are two) one at each end of the body, so that the Gregarine has the appearance of a bead strung upon a thread. I only observed individuals of this stage in the vesiculae seminales. The body-cavity of the Perichceta was crowded 1 P. Z. S. 1887, p. 527. |
