TRICHOMONAS BUCCALIS 



bedded in an achromatic matrix. A thick, thread-like rod, 

 the axostyle, extends from the nucleus through the 

 body and emerges near the posterior end. Spherical chro- 

 matic bodies are arranged about it, often in rows, or 

 embedded in it. On the side of the nucleus opposite the 

 undulating membrane a clear slit-like area appears in 

 specimens prepared by the Schaudinn-iron-hematoxylin 

 method and probably represents the cytostome. This area 

 is bordered by what is apparently a cytostomal fibril. 

 The division of T. vaginalis has never been described 

 fully. No other stages in the life-cycle of this species are 

 known. 



2. TRICHOMONAS BUCCALIS (Fig. 8) 



The trichomonas from the human mouth may or may 

 not be a distinct species. No cyst form is known. The 

 trophozoite varies greatly in size, measuring from 3.8/x 

 to y.OfjL in breadth and 5/x to 2i)U in length. An average 

 specimen measures about lOfi long and 5m broad. The 

 anterior flagella are usually four in number and emerge 

 from the two blepharoplasts in pairs. The undulating 

 membrane extends posteriorly from the anterior end 

 about two-thirds the length of the body. A flagellum is 

 attached along its outer edge but does not extend beyond 

 its posterior end. The chromatic basal rod is not con- 

 spicuous. The axostyle is thread-like and stains deeply 

 in iron-hematoxylin. Hogue (1926) has described a clear 

 area at the side of the nucleus similar to that noted by 

 Hegner (i925d) in T. vaginalis and considered by him 

 to be the cytostome. Hogue, however, finds in some speci- 

 mens of T. buc calls a clear funnel-shaped area near the 



131 



