~ 
( 
THE MYXOSPORIDIA, OR PSOROSPERMS OF FISHES. 87 
the fact that at the same time he practically abandons' his view of the 
adult nature of the “ psorosperm.” 
Kunstler and Pitres? think that the capsules “appear to be true 
nematocysts.” 
Ludwig? accepts the Leuckart-Biitschli attachment theory, regard. 
ing the filaments as probably organs of attachment. He says that 
though little is known as to the conditions under which filament-extru- 
sion naturally occurs, spores kept long in water extrude their filaments, 
and adds: 
Probably the filaments serve for the attachment of the spores, which have reached 
the water through the opened tumors of the fish, to any living or dead substances 
whatever. . 
Thélohan* comments upon Prof. Biitschli’s view as follows: 
Biitschli, after having severely criticised that idea [Balbiani’s antherozoid theory], 
compares them to urticant organs. At the outset, as Balbianiobserves, one can not 
see what could here be the réle and the utility of urticating organs. Further, the 
filament of the polar capsules resembles but little those of the true nematocysts 5 
after their exit they present most often a sinuous aspect, sometimes neatly spiral, 
which is far from recalling the appearance of the urticant filaments which shoot out 
abruptly from their capsules and present themselves under the form of rigid bayonets. 
Mingazzini> takes a totally different view from other authors and 
-one which it is impossible to reconcile with the present evidence. In 
the following passage, besides other errors, the (capsular) filaments are 
confounded with certain shell-processes (ribbonettes) described by Balbi- 
ani in Myxobolus eilipsoides, and further Biitschli’s view (given above) 
of the function of the filament is curiously distorted: 
Many observers have noted (in treating the myxosporidian spore with various 
reagents) the exit from the polar bodies of a very long filament, which normally is 
coiled within the polar body. As to the signification of this filament various opin- 
ions have been emitted. Balbiani thinks that it can serve as the organ of dispersal of 
the spore, functioning at the maturity of the latter in a similar manner to the elaters of 
the Elaterium spore. Biitschli expresses the opinion that they can have the signifi- 
cation of urticant filaments. But Balbiani has further observed that in the mature 
spore these filaments are unwound and stand each around either the membrane of its own 
spore or around that of a neighboring spore, and supposes that in the last case the fila- 
ments have the signification of copulating organs. Again, however, Biitschli, not 
entirely satisfied with his first interpretation, has thought that the function of urti- 
cant capsules for a spore which has a membrane resistant to acids and alkalies, is a 
kind of luxury, and that the filaments could serve to attach the spore to other fishes 
or to feed it [italics my own for errors]. 
From an analysis of the opinions it appears that none of them is entirely satis- 
factory, while, in my opinion, from what I have seen of the gregarinoid forms, it 
may be assumed that the polar bodies are nothing else than the embryos of the 
Myzxosporidia, homologous with the falciform bodies of the gregarine and coccidian 
spores, on which view the filament of the polar body would be nothing else than 
the tail of the gregarinoid form which remains inclosed in the polar body while 
1 Journ. de Microgr., 1883, vi1, pp. 198, 201, 276. 
2 Journ. de Microgr., 1884, vin, p. 474. 
3 Jahresber. d. rhein. Fisch.-Vereins Bonn, 1888, p. 33. 
4 Annal. de Microgr., 1890, 11, pp. 207-208. 
5 Boll. Soc. Nat. Napoli, 1890, tv, p. 163. 
6 See above (p. 86). 
