262 



stage occurs in schizogony. Following M in chin [10] in his classification 

 of the Haemosporidia, this parasite would be jjlaced in the sub- order 

 HaeDiosporea , genus Lankesterella , since it is considerably less than 

 three-fourths the length of the blood corjDuscle it inhabits. As to species, 

 it occurs in the newt, and is smaller than L. ranarum^ so it seems 

 distinctly worthy of a separate specific name, and I propose that of 

 tritonis 1. This specific name seems a more euphonious genitive than one 

 derived from Molge, apart from the perplexing question as to whether 

 the generic name of the host is Triton or Molge. In passing we might 

 emphasize the simplicity of Lave ran' s classification of the Haemo- 

 sporidia [9], when this parasite of the newt would be classed under his 

 genus Haemogregarina. Mere differences of size according as to whether 

 the parasite is three-quarters, equal to, or greater than the long diameter 

 of the blood-corpuscle of the host, seem rather unsatisfactory as bases 

 for generic distinctions, especially on remembering the variations in 

 size of the corpuscles of the cold-blooded Vertebrata. The parasite 

 herein described is apparently the smallest haemogregarine yet noted. 



As far as I know, and I have been at considerable trouble to 

 consult the literature on the subject, no account of this haemogregarine 

 in the newt has hitherto been published. Gaule [2] in 1881 mentioned 

 that he saw a parasite like Lankester's Drepanidium rananan in a 

 Triton. The species of Triton he leaves unmentioned, and he gives no, 

 description, figures, or further mention of the organism, which he failed 

 to recognize as a Sporozoon, apparently considering it a metamorphosis 

 product of the blood-corpuscle, a so-called Cytozoon, 



I am aware of the remarks of Laveran on "pseudo-haematozoa" 

 and of Bremer on "paranuclearkörperchen", but have taken care to 

 eliminate all slides showing imperfect fixation , or in any way doubtful. 

 I have also read several of Jolly's admirable j^apers on the erythro- 

 cytes of Triton. 



In conclusion, I would then call this parasite Lankesterella tritonis. 

 It is apparently very like L.rcmarum {L. minima of Hin tze) but smaller, 

 though I have not been able to procure infected frog's blood containing 

 L. ranariiiit. 



I have much pleasure in thanking Mr. A. S. Hirst for assistance 

 in the observation of this parasite. 



I would again mention that I am continuing the researches on this 

 parasite, and intend to immediately extend the investigations to allied 

 possible hosts. 



1 Slight variations in size occur in some cases in this parasite. However 

 have not, on this account, followed the examiole of Lab be in his treatment of L. 

 ranarum in making more than one species. 



