PROTOZOA IN THE DIGESTIVE TRACT 35 



originate in the blepharoplasts attaelied to the anterior 

 margin of the nuclear membrane. 



Encysted individuals have not yet been observed. Not all 

 protozoologists agree on the validity of the species. Dobell 

 (1935) examined da Fonseca's preparations and observed 

 4 flagella as well as encysted forms; and considered this 

 flagellate and Tricercomonas intestinalis identical; while 

 Wen\'on (1926) is inclined to think that this flagellate is 

 a small form of Chilomastix mesnili (p. 36). 



3. Tricercomonas intestinalis Wenyon and 

 O'Connor 1917 



This is also a minute flagellate which has been found in 

 diarrhoeic faeces and appears to inhabit the lumen of the 

 intestine. Though widely distributed, it is of rare occur- 

 rence. The trophozoites and cysts occur in fluid or semi- 

 fluid faeces, but in formed faeces only cysts are found. 



Trophozoites 



1. Living specimens. The flagellate (Fig. 8, 3-6) is highly 

 plastic, but usually pyriform in shape. The anterior end 

 is broadly rounded, while the posterior end is drawn out. 

 The cytoplasm is granulated and contains vacuoles. In a 

 freshly made preparation, the flagella lash very actively 

 and therefore it is difficult to observe them. There are three 

 anterior flagella which produce jerky movements of the 

 organism. The fourth flagellum runs along the flattened 

 body surface and extends out freely at the posterior tip 

 of the body. The flagellate measures 4-10m long by 3-6ij 

 broad, but the majoritv are about 7 or 8[\ long. 



2. Stained specimens. The stained trophozoites (Fig. 8, 



