THE PARASITIC PROTOZOA OF THE RED GROUSE 327 



Sometimes, in stained smears of the csecal contents of Grouse containing 

 Trichomonas, I have seen curious ovoid or figure-of-8 bodies which suggest much 

 deformed specimens of Trichomonas in which the axostyle acts as a rod around 

 which the flagellar border and strands of the membrane are disposed. Some of 

 these bodies are not unlike Eberth's original figures (1862). 



Monocercomonas is an ovoid organism possessing four flagella at the broad 

 anterior end of the body (Fig. 48) together with a nucleus and blepharoplast. 

 Sometimes one of the flagella trails backward (Fig. 47). On one occasion a 

 Monocercomonas form with a suggestion of a rudimentary membrane, axostyle, and 

 granules was seen (Fig. 47). If such a parasite be normal and not deformed, then 

 it would be an intermediate form between Trichomonas and Monocercomonas (cf. 

 Martin and Robertson, Fig. 8). 



(b) Spirochsetacea (Proflagellata). 

 SPIROOH^TA LOVATI, sp. n. 



When fresh csecal contents of certain Grouse of various ages were examined 

 microscopically, small active organisms have been seen, moving among the food 

 debris and flora found in the gut. These organisms are Spirochsetes, and their 

 presence in the csecal contents of Grouse has also been noticed by Dr Cobbett in 

 adult Grouse, and by Dr Leiper in a young Grouse chick. I have sometimes 

 observed the Spirochsetes in the hinder part of the intestine as well as in the caeca. 



Having had the opportunity of observing this Spirochsete, which I have 

 named Spirochata lovati, I append a few details regarding its life-history and 

 structure. I may say that the parasite does not appear to have a very deleterious 

 effect on its host. 



The organism, as observed in life, occurs in csecal contents, where it is mingled 

 with semi-fluid food materials, and is often in company with many minute, rod-like 

 bacteria, both free and in colonies, and also small hyphal threads, evidently of some 

 fungus. Because of its associations, the Spirochsete is by no means easy of 

 observation, and much dilution of the csecal contents to facilitate observation only 

 hastens the death of the Spirochsete. Further in fixed and stained preparations 

 the Spirochsete itself takes up the stain somewhat faintly. 



The movements of the Spirochsete are active, and resemble those of the 

 Spirochsetes of Lamellibranchs (oysters, fresh-water mussels, Tapes) which I have 

 already described (1907, 1908, 1909). "The motion appears to be resolvable into 



