PARASITIC PROTOZOA FOUND IN SOUTH AFRICA. 189 



the form of crescentic, free vermicules, measuring 8/* long by 

 2.6fx broad. 



Leucocytogregarines from the dog, rat and rabbit in South 

 Africa have been recorded by Porter (S.A. Journal of Science, 

 vol. XV. (1918), pp. 335-336). I have also seen these parasites, 

 and now record in addition three leucocytogregarines from fishes. 



The leucocytes of the steenje, Cantharus emarginatus, har- 

 bour a leucocytogregarine that displaces the nucleus of the host 

 cell to one side. The parasites are vermicular, at first with a 

 narrow, crescentic body, measuring up to lO/i. long by ip. broad, 

 which later becomes oval, and may eventually become spherical. 

 The nucleus is usually compact and oval, but in the spherical 

 form, which appears to be the young schizont, the nucleus extends 

 as a band across the body, and shows signs of commencing divi- 

 sion in the concentration of the chromatin at either end of 

 the band. 



A few examples of an interesting leucocytogregarine have 

 been observed in the blood of Dentex argyrozona. The nucleus 

 of the leucoojte was displaced by the oval trophozoite, which had 

 an elongate, curved nucleus and granular endoplasm. The para- 

 sites average 10^ long by 4.6ju, broad. Free vermicules were also 

 seen. 



The white stumpnose, Chrysophrys globiceps, also harbours 

 a leucocytogregarine, of which free vermicules, measuring about 

 S/j long by j 6yu. broad, and young intracellular forms have been 

 observed. 



Hcunwproteus (Halteridmni) columbce has been observed in 

 the red corpuscles of the common pigeon obtained in the districts 

 of Johannesburg and Pretoria. The trophozoites were of the 

 usual form and contained pigment. Both macrogametocytes and 

 microgametocytes were present, the microgametocytes staining 

 much more palely than the macrogametocytes. Multiplicative 

 cysts have been seen in the lungs of the pigeon. The parasites are 

 transmitted by the fly, Lynchia maura. 



C. Myxosporidia. — As I reported last year, a Myxidinm. 

 occurs in the bile of various fishes such as the bull klip fish, Clinus 

 taunts, and the silver fish, Dentex argyrozona. I have seen 

 these parasites again and am continuing their study, both in these 

 and in new hosts obtained from St. James and Kalk Bay. Both 

 trophozoites and spores have been observed. The species has a 

 spore twisted like Myxidiuni incurvatum, but longer than Thelo- 

 han's (1892) measurements, being i6^i to 20/t long, which sizes 

 approximate more to those of M. licberkuhnii. I have also found 

 this species of Myxidiuni in the bile of a Hottentot fish, Can- 

 tharus hlochii^ and in the klip fish, Clinus cottoides. Sometimes 

 the Myxidium is seen in blood smears — possibly it has got there 

 post-mortem, or as a contamination due to dissection, but it is 

 also possible that the organism may be carried by the blood 

 stream. 



A species of Hoferellus, that I believe is new to science, has 



