The sexes are distinct. The ovaries and testes are saccular organs arranged in a row along the gill and succeeding region. The sacs in other genera, for example Balanoglossus as described by Shipley, open directly on to the epidermis. I have been unable to see these openings in my preparations. Fig. [8] shows the position of the ovaries in the female; the testes in the male are in a similar location.
The surface epithelium is modified ciliated columnar, varying slightly in thickness, size of nuclei and size and shape of cell according to location. Figs. [13], [14], [15].
The epithelium forming the gills and intestine is also modified ciliated columnar. That of the gills having short narrow cells and small nuclei, and that of the intestine having longer thicker cells and large nuclei. Figs. [11], [10].
The connective tissue surrounding the proboscis cavity is of a peculiar arrangement. The connective tissue itself consists of fine strands loosely interwoven, but arranged in a definite manner. The strands form a fine network which gives a beautiful lacy appearance. Small round nuclei are quite numerous in connection with the strands. Longitudinal bands of plain muscle are very conspicuous in the connective tissue. These muscle bands are probably used in altering the size and shape of the proboscis. Figs. [4], [20], [21].
The nervous tissue consists of many fibers thickly interwoven. There are a few small nuclei scattered about among the fibers. Figs. [12], [13].
The muscle is unstriated. The fibers are very long in some places, shorter in others and always quite distinct.
(Contribution from the Zoological Laboratory of Pomona College)
REFERENCES
| Assheton, Richard | 1918 |
| A new species of Dolichoglossus. Zool. Anz. Bd. 33, p. 517–520. | |
| Delage and Herouard | 1898 |
| Traité De Zoologie concrète Vol. 8. Les Procordés. Balanoglossus. | |
| Encyclopedia Britainica Balanoglossus. | |
| Shipley, Arthur E. | 1893 |
| Zoology of the Invertebrata. Balanoglossus. |