LIVING SPIR0CHAETE8 7 



figures do not bear out this view, but show that the myone- 

 mes are arranged in the membrane approximately lengthwise 

 in a spiral manner. This approximately spiral longitudinal 

 distribution of the myonemes alone explains the mechanism of 

 movement of the Spirochaetes, and the function of the mem- 

 brane in progression (Fantham, I. 1908, pp. 22-24). The com- 

 parison of the membrane with an umbrella appears to me to 

 be unsatisfactory. 



My own observations convince me that true myonemes are 

 présent, and confirm in ail respects the statements made by 

 Fantham (I. 1908, pp. 15, 28). Myonemes on the body are also 

 stated to occur in S. halhianii by Perrin. 



Basai Granules. — Thèse structures can be observed in hfe. 

 Their appearance is best seen in forms in which division is 

 beginning (fig. 1, hg). They appear then as two, bright distinct 

 beads, of oval contour and great refractivity, and when the 

 plane of division is at right angles to the stage of the micros- 

 cope the hne of séparation of the daughter basai granules is 

 seen. Crescentic horns of protoplasm, of less refringency than 

 the basai granules, sometimes connect the two daughter 

 granules (fig. 1). Ail thèse phenomena were seen in 8. halhianii 

 and S. anodontae, though ordinarily it is not easy to detect 

 basai granules in Hfe, owing to the rapid movements of the 

 Spirochaetes. 



Basai granules are stated to occur in a Spirochaete obtained 

 from the crystalhne style of Pinna by Gonder (1908-9), and 

 termed 8. pinnae by him. This organism, both from Gonder's 

 description and somewhat poor figures, is very probably 8. hal- 

 hianii. 



Gonder would seem to claim the crédit for the discovery 

 of basai granules (variously termed by him « basai granules, » 

 « basai nuclei », and « blepharoplasts ») — for he makes no men- 

 tion of the work of others on thèse minute bodies — although 

 papers by Keysselttz and by Fantham, describing this 

 feature, had appeared some time previous to that of Gonder. 



