67 
the smaller ones are more peripherally situated, though 
there is no regular increase in size as one passes inwards. 
The only other point to note is a series of tiny spherules 
(sph.), each with one, or sometimes two granules, at the 
outer margin of the cortex, almost abutting on the mem- 
brane (ect.), but I have seen no transition between these 
and the deeply-staining reticula, nor are they obvious in 
all my sections. I should add that in fig. 3 these latter 
are more closely packed and rather more strongly-stained 
than in fig. 4. 
In endeavouring to arrive at some idea of the nature 
and affinities of these remarkable cysts it will be most con- 
venient to commence by the process of elimination. 
In the first place we have, certainly, not to deal with 
a Trematode or other Metazoan parasite. Further, Dr. 
Nabarro and Professor Oliver, who have kindly examined 
it, are of the opinion that the cysts are the result of neither 
a bacterial nor a fungal infection, and, indeed, it is almost 
inconceivable that an ordinary cell could be so enormously 
hypertrophied by bacterial or hyphal invasion, and retain 
as much of its structure as these bodies do (compare the 
amoebocytes and connective-tissue cells around). More- 
over, Mr. Pollard, of the Bacteriological Laboratory at 
University College, has stained sections for me by the 
usual methods adopted for Bacilh, &c., without result. 
The localized and restricted nature of the infection is also 
against this view, the cells around being quite normal. 
So that we may dismiss the idea of the cysts being caused 
by a bacterial or hyphomycetic parasite. Kach cyst- 
like body is one organic unit. 
I can only think of two remaining hypotheses, 
namely, that the bodies must represent either eggs or 
parasites. Now, although, as stated above, it was 
absolutely impossible that they were the eggs of some 
