Osmotic Relations in Molluscan Contractile Tissues

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Abstract
1. Isolated preparations are described from the gill epithelium of three species of Lamellibranchs; sea water was found to be a suitable medium for Mytilus and Ostrea and 4% sea water for Anodonta. 2. Sudden changes in concentration of the media led to ‘Shock Reactions’ in several types of cilia. The extent of the shock reaction following dilution was shown to be related to the ratio of the concentrations of the media before and after the change, rather than to either of these values separately. 3. In all three species the range of salinity compatible with mechanical activity varied with the type of cilium, being widest in the frontals, narrowest in the laterals, and intermediate in the other tracts. 4. Disintegration of the epithelia is found in all three species in both hyper-and hypotonic media, with accompanying swelling in the latter.