'AMCEEM OF THE INTESTINAL TRACT. 139 



some. The chromidia appear as brightly refractile 

 granules and delicate threads with enlarged ends. 

 Other organisms are observed in which the chromidia 

 are collected in masses near or within the ectoplasm, 

 sometimes distending it. This appearance is caused 

 by the grouping of the chromidia prior to the libera- 

 tion of the spores. Still other organisms are observed 

 in which refractile masses of chromatin, surrounded 

 by a small portion of cytoplasm, are in a process of 

 separation from the parent organism. 



The spores in the fresh specimens of feces appear 

 as round or oval bodies having a yellowish refractile 

 membrane and homogeneous contents. They measure 

 from 3 to 7 microns in diameter and on account of 

 their color they resemble red blood corpuscles, but 

 may be differentiated from them because of the sur- 

 rounding membrane. 



If it is desired to follow the method of reproduc- 

 tion in the stained preparations a large number of 

 specimens must be examined and Wright's stain or 

 better, iron hsematoxylin, used for this purpose. The 

 larger amoebae should be selected for study and the 

 following forms illustrating various stages in the 

 process will be observed: , 



1. Amoebae in which the chromatin of the nucleus 

 stains a light pink and is arranged in the form of 

 delicate rods and granules. 



