THE EGG COCOONS OF SCOLOPLOS ARMIGER O. F. MÜLLER

Abstract

1. The egg cocoons of Scoloplos armiger are laid at Whitstable during the few days of high spring tides in February or March. 2. The cocoon jelly is derived from secretion of cells forming the end portions of the nephridia of the female and contains only about 1% of organic matter which is mucoprotein. Fifteen amino acids, including hydroxyproline, were idenitified in the protein moiety and glucosamine, galactosamine, glucose and fucose in the carbohydrate portion. 3. The jelly can be dried but will swell again in water. This property can be destroyed by homogenization when 70% of the hexoses are split off. 4. It is unlikely that the cocoons play any significant part in the nutrition of the larvae, their chief function probably being to ensure that the larvae remain near a suitable substratum.