Fig. 75.—Stylorhynchus oligacanthus, from the larva of the Agrion.
We also give a sketch ([Fig. 76]) of some very remarkable parasites, whose affinities are still problematical, and which only inhabit spongy bodies, such as the kidneys of cephalopods. The name of Dicyema has been given to them.
Fig. 76.—Dicyema Krohnii, from Sepia officinalis.
Prof. Ray Lankester has quite recently made some very interesting observations, at Naples, on these problematical beings; and my son has just devoted a part of his vacation, with two of his pupils, to elucidate the points of their organization and development, which are still obscure. He went to reside at Villefranche, near Nice, in order to obtain fresh cephalopods every day. His observations have led him to a result quite different from that which I expected.