277] STUDIES ON GREGARINES- WATSON 67 



and globular sporonts is not to be accounted for by a mere shortening 

 of the body, for the staining reaction and shape of the nucleus differ 

 as well. The nucleus of the globular form is less ellipsoidal than that 

 of the elongate form. In all Stenophoridae I have observed, the young 

 trophozoites and younger sporonts have not yet attained that elongation 

 of the nucleus which is characteristic of the adults, and a gradual 

 transition can be observed in the same series of sections from a spherical 

 to sub-spherical and finally to the elongate ellipsoidal nucleus of the 

 adult. In all the gregarines I have studied, the young globular tropho- 

 zoites contain less protoplasm and stain more readily and deeper than 

 the adults. 



If globular and elongate specimens of approximately the same 

 length can be procured or, at least, with protomerites of the same 

 approximate size, and a young cyst shown to contain two individuals 

 with different staining rections and differently shaped nuclei, then 

 there is sexual dimorphism among the Stenophoridae. This has not 

 yet been reported and there is too great a discrepancy in size of the 

 elongate and globose forms to warrant calling them sexually unlike and 

 the phenomenon sexual dimorphism. 



STENOPHORA CHORDEUME Leger and Duboscq 



[Figures 24 and 25] 

 1904 Stenophora chordeume Leger and Duboscq 1904:372-5 



Stenophora : Two forms described for the sporonts. Elongate 

 form 140/t long, width not given. Ratio length protomerite : total 

 length :: 1 : 7.5; width protomerite : width deutomerite :: 1 : 2. 

 Protomerite nearly twice as wide as high, widest along' central portion, 

 flattened above, with papilla and an apparent pore at apex. Conspicuous 

 constriction at septum. Deutomerite an elongated irregularly shaped 

 sac widest below the middle and tapering rapidly to a point. Endocyte 

 of protomerite clear, containing large non-staining granules. Endocyte 

 of deutomerite homogeneous with a few scattered irregularly shaped 

 chromatic granules. Nucleus spherical, with a large karyosome. 



Globular form with maximum length of 100/*. Width not given. 

 Ratio length protomerite : total length :: 1 : 5; width protomerite : 

 width deutomerite : : 1 : 2.5. Protomerite same shape as in elongate 

 form except that the constriction at septum is deeper and the proto- 

 merite sometimes partially invaginated into anterior end of deutomerite. 

 Latter ellipsoidal and nearly spherical. Endocyte of protomerite deeply 

 staining, like that of deutomerite. Latter with long scattered chromatic 



