PROTOZOA. 



Order 4. MYXOSPORIDIA.* 



Multimicleated, amoeboid sporozoa parasitic in the cells, tissues, or 

 spaces of animals. The spores possess polar capsules and fibres. 

 The contents of the spores do not d/'ride, but issue as amoeboid youmj. 



These are the so-called fish-psorospenns of J. Miiller. They are 

 parasitic in worms, arthropods, polyzoa, and vertebrates. They 



b 



a 



Yin. 51. Proteosoma grassii Labbe, from the blood of a finch. Sporulation of the one-spored 

 parasite, a, showing the parasite in the corpuscle ; l>, showing the parasite broken up into 

 spores (after Labbe). 



ff 



Fir;. 52. Hamamceba laverani, variety quaterna, from the blood of a man with malaria 

 (after Labbe). a, newly-infected blood-corpuscles ; ft, c, d, successive stages in the growth 

 of the parasite in the corpuscle ; c, beginning of sporulation ; /, rosette-shaped group of 

 spores round a central residual body ; a, spores (young forms) set free in the blood by the 

 breaking up of the corpuscle. 



a b c d e 



FIG. 53. Hcemamcsba larerani, variety tertiana, from the blood of a man with malaria. 

 , young parasites in a corpuscle ; ft, amoeboid form ; c, rounded form ; d, sporulation ; 

 c, free spores (after Labbe). 



have attained some notoriety from the fact that the organism (Glugea 

 bombycis), which causes the Pe&rw-disease of silk- worms, belongs to 

 the order. 



They include tAvo principal varieties, viz., those which lead a free 

 life, creeping about on the surface of the gall-bladder, urinary 

 bladder, and kidney tubes (Fig. 54), and those which are embedded 



* R. R. Gurley, "The Myxosporidia, or Psorosperms of fishes and the 

 epidemics produced by them." Hull. U.S. Fish Commission, Part 18, 1894. 

 P. Thelohan, "Recherches sur les Myxosporidies." Bull. Sci. de In France et 

 Bclgiquc, 26, 1895. 



