rEOCEEDINC.S OF THE THIRD ENTOMOLOGICAL MEETING 1013 



distance from the ectosarc to the free extremity of the flagella is always 

 the same, whatever may be the form of the parasite. 



The movements of Trichonympha are very interesting. It advances 

 majestically as if searching its way, moving its anterior portion to the 

 right and the left, forwards and backwards and throwing away by 

 means of the flagella of the second series all the animated and inanimated 

 particles that are to be found in its march and when a stronger obstacle 

 is obstructing its way, the protoplasm shows a saxcodic contraction, 

 the body becomes narrow and elongated and the animal, changing its 

 way, progresses again. 



I will draw your kind attention to figure .5 representing the parasite 

 seen on its vertical axis. The four concentric circles are : the first the 

 summit of the hourglass-like formation, the second the outline of the 

 hyaline head, the third the periphery of the flagellated surpUce, the 

 fourth the circumference of the body, more or less irregular. 



I was able to study the division of Trichonympha, these forms being 

 ver_y rare in the intestines of Termites kept in captivity. My studies 

 confirm the observations of Foa in Italy. As you see, figure G shows 

 the division of the homglass-like formation before the nuclear division. 

 I have seen all the stages of their division and I can definitely affirm 

 that the division commences by the hourglass-like formation which is 

 followed by that of the nucleus and body. The hourglass-lUje formation 

 is therefore a blepharoplast that at the moment of division assumes the 

 function of a centrosome. 



I will now compare my description with those of other authors. 

 Plate 168, figures 7-15, represent some figures from Plate 51 of Leidy, 

 but only those which correspond to Tr. agilis. You will easily perceive 

 that their general configuration is very similar to mine. His description 

 however is erroneous and the figures incorrect. Leidy thought that the 

 constriction, sometimes found in the body of Trichovympha, divides 

 this protozoon into two parts, head and body, and some of his figures 

 show a line marking this division. Leidy continues : " a large spherical 

 nucleus is constantly to be observed situated centrally at the conjunction 

 of the two divisions of Trichonympha as seen in figures 1-10." It is 

 umiecessary to prove that Leidy has included in this so-called head 

 a part of the body. Secondly Leidy does not describe either the hour- 

 glass-like formation, or the head of mushroom and these parts are 

 wanting in his figures. He thinks that the anterior portion is acuminate 

 " and the base abruptly terminating on the line of conjunction of the 

 head and body." Concerning the flagella he described four series : 

 the first immediately behind the pointed summit of the " head, are 

 the shortest, extend upon sides and wave incessantly." These are the 



