294 Miscellaneous, greyhound. The tubercular grinders are very variable in this tribe, as will be seen in the following table : — False grinders. Tubercular grinders. In all, Cynalicus . . . . -^ — -g-^326 Cuon -J y -Q Canis and Vulpes "4" "J y 3 2 7 Otocyon y -j y TROPHONIA GOODSIRIl. {Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. iv. p. 371.) The description of this worm was made from specimens preserved in spirits. These, it now appears, were mutilated, having had their tentaculated proboscis detached by the shakings to which they had been exposed in their carriage from the Shetlands hither ; the more easily done, since they were mixed up in the phial with other marine animals. A few days ago I procured three fine living individuals, and I thus learned that the worm has a small membranous retractile pro-boscis furnished with two antennae and eight tentacula. The an-tennae are larger and twice as long as the tentacula, filiform and subannulated ; the tentacula are rather pointed and smooth, and in these specimens were flesh-coloured. They encircle the orifice of the proboscis, and are easily detached by pressure with a needle after the worm has been killed in spirits. The discovery of this structure leads to further corrections, for there cannot be the slightest doubt of Trophonia Goodsirii being syn-onymous with the Amphitrite plumosa of Miiller, and with the Fh' mingia muricata of the author of this note. See for the synonyms, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. vol. xvi. p. 447. The anterior portion of this worm is often bulged like that of an Arenicola. Its resemblance, both in outward figure and in motions, and in mutability of shape, to a Holothuria, e. g. to the Holothuria inhcerens of Miiller, is very remarkable. — George Johnston, Ber-wick-upon-Tweed, March 6. On the possibility of obtaining healthy Tubers from diseased Potatoes* By M. DuRAND. About the beginning of October I planted diseased tubers in the earth where they were first developed. They were planted in a hot-house, the temperature of which was constantly from 48° to 54° Fahr. These tubers, buried to a depth of about four inches, appeared above ground in six weeks. Their vegetation was fresh and vigorous ; the leaves attained a height of forty inches. I lately pulled up these plants, and ascertained that they all bore a certain number of new tubers, the largest of which were of the size of a hen's e^^ ; that none of these tubers has the least spot exter-nally or internally ; on the contrary, they bear all the characters of perfect health, — Comptes Rendus, March 9, 1846.
BioStor
