718 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION K, 



and the rupture of that organ in one, would be secondary causes 

 of death and not primary. The presence of identical bodies in 

 the red blood cells of two lemurs that had apparently died from 

 bacterial infection, did not lessen the interest as the bacterial in- 

 vasion of the liver might well have been a secondary condition, as 

 might also, in the case of No. 4, the typhlitis, which was probably 

 due to Balantidium coli. In view of the foi'egoing, it became 

 necessary to ascertain whether the chromatin bodies present in 

 the dead lemurs were also present in the apparently healthy ones. 

 Blood smears were therefore obtained from four different species 

 of lemur then present in the Zoological Gardens. Two animals 

 of each species were examined, making a total of eight, viz.: — 



E,ing-tailed lemur {Lemur catta). 

 Mongoose lemur {Lemur mongoz). 

 Black lemur {Lemur macaco). 

 Crown lemur {Lemur coronabus). 



All of these appeared to be quite healthy at the time of taking 

 their blood with the exception of a ring-tailed lemur. 



No. 1. — This animal died about two weeks after taking the 

 smears. Post-mortem decomposition was too far advanced when 

 the body was received for any useful information to be gained as 

 to the lesions present. Chromatin bodies were, however, scantily 

 present in the red blood corpuscles. The results of the micro- 

 scopical examination of blood films from the above eight animals 

 were as follow: — 



No. 1. — Ring-tailed lemur. An aged animal. Had been 

 in the gardens for a considerable but undetermined* period. 

 Chromatin bodies very scantily present in the red cells. No 

 special disposition in the corpuscles. Size of the bodies 

 v'aries. Slight polychromatophilia. This animal was ill at 

 the time of taking the blood, and died subsequently. Vide 

 above. 



No. 2. — Ring-tailed lemur. Quite healthy in appearance. 

 Chromatin bodies numerous. A few normoblasts present. 

 The bodies are of varying size and disposition, but mainly on 

 or near the margins of the corpuscles. A few dividing forms 

 present. Moderate anisocytosis and polychromatophilia. 



No. 3. — Mongoose lemur. An old animal; has been in 

 the gardens for several years. Chromatin bodies fairly 

 numei'ous, principally marginal. A few dividing forms. 

 Size varying. 



No. 4. — Mongoose lemur. A young animal, not full grown. 

 Was born in the gardens. Chromatin bodies fairly numer- 

 ous. Size varying. No special disposition in the corpuscles. 



