234 CU. CLIFFORD DOBELL. 
possible that it is really the common form from the frog, and 
hence this must be considered as a conceivable synonym. 
Now if we agree, as 1s usual, to take Hexamitus inflatus 
as the type species—a form with six flagella, and of free- 
living habit, as described by Dujardin—we are left without 
any generic name to bestow upon our parasitic form. Bodo 
Khrenberg is unavailable; so also Amphimonas Dujardin 
and Dicercomonas Diesing. Cercomonas and Uro- 
phagus are quite distinct genera, and Giardia is too inade- 
quately described to be adopted with certainty. That is why 
I proposed (12) to employ the name Octomitus, as origin- 
ally suggested by Klebs. This name seems to me to be the 
most suitable for this and similar forms. But if we agree to 
call the animal by this name another difficulty at once pre- 
sents itself. The genus Octomitus was created by Prowazek! 
in 1904 to include a single species, O. intestinalis from the 
rat. But this is the very name—Octomitus intestinalis 
Duj.—which our parasite would have to receive. Hence we 
arrive at another obstacle. Now it is quite probable that 
Prowazek’s organism is only a form of the animal usually 
described as Hexamitus or Dicercomonas muris Grassi. 
Wenyon, however, thinks that there are probably two 
different species included under this title, in which case it 
would be best to let Prowazek’s name stand. 
I propose, therefore, to create the new specific name 
dujardini for the octoflagellate parasite of frogs and toads, 
whilst referring it to the genus Octomitus. ‘This, I believe, 
will effectually surmount all difficulties, and will also take 
cognisance of the probable discoverer of the animal. 
The genus Octomitus will, therefore, contain three? 
species of parasitic flagellates, namely : 
1. Octomitus dujardini, in frogs and toads. 
2. Octomitus muris Grassi, in rats and mice (the narrow 
form of “Hexamitus [Dicercomonas]” muris). 
1 Though written by him “ Oktomitus,” and without any indication 
that the name was being employed for the first time. 
2 The forms in tortoises, fish, oysters, etc., are too little known to 
warrant the giving of specific names to them at present. 
