232 RECORD OF CURRENT RESEARCHES RELATING TO 



state, and the amoeboid movements and the process of fissiparous 

 division of the nucleus can be watched. Moreover, Dr. Norris's 

 theory that the white corpuscle is merely an accidental collection of 

 two or three non-nucleated, vesicular, colourless corpuscles, leaves 

 unexplained the amoeboid movements observed in the living state in 

 the leucocytes both of Mammalia and Amphibia. 



After going with care through a series of observations on this 

 subject, Mrs. Hart is disposed to believe that the colourless corpuscles 

 which (without the addition of a saturated solution of common salt) 

 are still undoubtedly seen when the blood is examined by the method 

 of " isolation," are red corpuscles that have undergone post-mortem 

 changes prior to taking part in the formation of the fibrine, and 

 promises shortly the publication of some further observations. 



Remarkable Phenomena presented by the Coloured Blood- 

 corpuscles of the Frog.* — Repeated observations tend to show that 

 the structure of the coloured blood-corpuscle is by no means so 

 simple as is usually assumed : and from this point of view the obser- 

 vations made by J. Gaule in Professor Ludwig's laboratory at 

 Leipzig are of singular interest. 



On diluting the fresh blood from a vigorous frog with • 6 salt 

 solution, and exposing it after rapid defibrination to a temperature of 

 32°-36° C. on the hot stage of the Microscope, the escape of a 

 peculiar body may be observed in many of the corpuscles. The 

 bodies thus evolved simulate worms so closely by their form and 

 wriggling movements, that Gaule styles them " Wiirmchen," which 

 may be translated vermicles. He concludes from several reasons that 

 they are simply protoplasmic portions of the corpuscles, which, under 

 these special conditions, separate for a short independent life. No 

 reference is made to previous workers in the same field ; but it would 

 seem not improbable that the " Wiirmchen " correspond with the 

 maculae which Professor Roberts of Manchester revealed seventeen 

 years ago by treating the corpuscles with tannin or magenta, reagents 

 which would of coui'se prevent any further signs of life in the 

 objects. 



The " vermicles " are about half the length of the red corpuscle, 

 pointed at either end, but more in front, and containing one or two 

 vesicles or droplets. Their singular movements deserve a rather full 

 description. After wriggling out of the corpuscle, in which it makes 

 its appearance as a rod-like body beside the nucleus, the " vermicle " 

 moves on, trailing the corpuscle behind by a long thread. On meet- 

 ing a second corpuscle it bores into it, withdraws, pushes it aside, and 

 goes on carrying this too in its train ; and though the threads finally 

 give way, " vermicles " may be seen di'agging three, four, or more 

 corpuscles after them. The corpuscles, quitted or attacked in this 

 way, undergo in a short time changes of form and colour leading to 

 complete disorganization, which otherwise, under similar conditions, 

 require hours for their accomplishment. Finally the " vermicle " 

 also undergoes disorganization. While the conditions given above 



* 'Arch. Physiol.' (Du Bois-Reymoud), 1880; sec 'Nature,' xxi. (1880) 

 p. 453. 



