CHLAMYDOMYXA LABYRIXTHULOIDES. 93 



Dimensions of cist variable. 



Parasitic on Sphagnum in bogs, County Westmeatli 

 (IT. A 



Mr. Archer, who discovered this singular organism, 

 and whose description of it we have condensed, says 

 that the test, or coat, which encloses the protoplasmic 

 body, is composed of several layers of the same kind of 

 material, has an irregular outline, and is often very 

 thick, according to the number of lamina. It is tough, 

 and requires strong pressure of the covering-glass to 

 burst it. The outer figure is variable in form, and 

 often presents neck-like extensions of greater or less 

 width, terminating in a lacerated orifice. 



The presence of Chlami/doimj.ra in quantity, in the 

 bogs of Connemara, was revealed by the reddish colour 

 of the Sphagnum, which held the organism in the 

 encisted condition. It is this colour which first attracts 

 attention under the microscope. When encisted and 

 completely dormant the cellulose envelope appears 

 densely filled with the granular substance. 



Mr. Archer found that in spite of the seemingly 

 tough consistence of the envelope, it was capable of 

 being burst by the organic substance which escaped 

 and entered upon a period of amoeboid activity. The 

 protoplasmic body is without any hyaline border, and 

 the hyaline branching filaments extend and ramify in 

 an extraordinary manner. They are flexible, but 

 while not seen to alter much in position, they grow in 

 length and in number. Pari passu with their appear- 

 ance there occur at various distances upon their sur- 

 face the minute fusiform bodies ("spindles") previously 

 referred to, which glide along very slowly. 



Professor Greddes (loc. cit.) discusses the affinities of 

 Chlami/domi/m and its systematic position. The semi- 

 amoeboid character of the organism in its resting state, 

 and its exalted amoeboid activity when motile, might, 

 he says, tempt one rather to refer it to the Thala- 

 mophora. " Its cellulose wall, its red, green, and 



