EFFECTS OF MYXOSPORIDIA 249 



The expulsion of the spores from the body of the 

 trophozoite has been seen on several occasions. The 

 spores are forced forwards towards that part of the 

 body where free pseudopodia occur (usually at one 

 end). The forward pressure is renewed as the spores 

 reach the pseudopodia, and as there is less resistance 

 at those spots, the spores glide forward and pass 

 through the ectoplasm between the pseudopodia. 

 These latter structures tend to push the spores on- 

 wards until they are well away from "the neighbour- 

 hood of the parent trophozoite. 



The various species of Myxidium investigated by 

 the present writers cause great changes in the gall- 

 bladders and bile of their respective hosts. The 

 epithelial lining of the organ becomes ragged, and 

 the fibre-muscular layer beneath becomes so enlarged 

 that the wall is rendered quite opaque, in marked 

 contrast with the thin, transparent gall-bladder of the 

 uninfected fish. Normally, the bile of fishes contains 

 a large quantity of fat. Such is the case with healthy 

 pollack, merling, whiting, etc., that we have examined. 

 Further, the bile is limpid, bright green, and very 

 clear. In contrast, in an infected fish the fat con- 

 tent of the bile is much decreased, the viscosity due 

 to the formation of much mucus is enormously 

 increased, so that the bile is often like a stiff jelly 

 or thick pure"e, and the range of colour varies from 

 orange to dirty white, owing to the action of the 

 parasites on the chemical composition of the bile. 

 It should be mentioned that all the Sphczrospora, 

 Cw 'atomy xa, and Chloromyxum investigated had a 

 similar effect upon the bladder and the bile of their 



