288 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
disappearance of shell-contour, significant changes occur, involving capsules as well 
as sporoplasm, the capsules behaving throughout as integral parts of the “ proto- 
plasmic contents.” The sporoplasm, previously very transparent, bluish, rather 
strongly refringent and destitute of granules, becomes paler, sharply contoured 
granules rapidly appear in spots, and these very delicately contoured, round- 
elongate or irregular [formerly sporoplasmic, now become myxoplasmic] masses grow 
slowly or rapidly to small, strongly granulated plasmodes which already show some 
yellowish or reddish-yellow pigmented spots. 
Gabriel has also the following strange statement as to the subsequent 
course of development: 
Now it appears very peculiar that these 3 constantly present, morphologically 
individualized, delimited, constituent parts [sporoplasm and 2 capsules] should, in 
their further development, be restricted to a double course, viz, either fusing to a 
single protoplasmic mass or remaining in the original state of separation; in the 
latter case, falling apart by a rapidly progressing division, each into 2 (rarely more), 
approximately equal, parts. 
Growth of myxosporidium (Pfeiffer)—The young myxosporidium 
[heretofore termed the sporoplasm], immediately after its exit from the 
spore, penetrates into the interior of the red blood corpuscles and of 
the cells of the bladder epithelium. The infection of the former may 
be followed under the microscope. After 8 to 12 hours they show 
a noteworthy alteration, having become pale and, instead of 1 nucleus, 
containing 2, 3, or more nuclei. One of these nuclei is jagged, or 
wrinkled; the other (or others) is somewhat smaller, smooth, round, 
shining, and occupies (with reference to the jagged nucleus) a variable 
position. Hematoxylin stains the jagged nucleus dark, the smooth one 
bright. With the increasing growth of the smooth nucleus the jagged 
one rapidly falls to pieces, and its remnants become pressed against the 
-cell wall. Methylen blue and phloxin red stain the disrupted jagged 
nucleus black-blue, the other a uniform red. From these observations 
and the analogy of Lacerta and Testudo blood, the jagged nucleus is 
to be regarded as the cell nucleus, and the smooth nuclei as intruded 
myxosporidian germs. Here, too, the multiple infection (Mehrlingsin- 
Jektion) is repeated. 
Microscopic technique—Removed from their normal habitat, the 
myxosporidia rarely remain intact more than 24 hours, and then only 
in “indifferent” liquids, preferably (besides iodized serum) a 1:5 per 
cent sodium carbonate solution or a 0-5 per cent sodium chloride solution 
(Gabriel). Phloxin red and methylen blue stain the ectoplasm a 
sharply defined red, the entoplasm inclusions blue. This striking result ~ 
causes the myxosporidium to resemble a true rhizopod (Pfeiffer). 
Habitat and frequency.—Urinary bladder of Lucius lucius (pike). 
Most frequent and most highly developed in late summer and autumn; 
rare in winter; thence increasing in frequency. Size and age of host 
exert no influence (Gabriel). Free-floating in urine or attached (by 
pronged end). Biitschli observed young examples with one end partly 
surrounding an epithelial cell which had been torn away, thus present- 
ing a Gregarine-like mode of attachment. Observed by Lieberkiihn 
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