1919] Kofoid-Sicczij: Trkhonympha caiiipaiiula -13 



OCCURRENCE AND ACTIVITIES 



The posterior and mid-regions of the intestinal tract of Termopsii 

 angusticollis Walker are usually found to be greatly distended, often 

 filling the entire cavity of the body. It is in these regions that Trklio- 

 nympha campanula is found in great abundance, filling the entire 

 lumen of the canal but never attached to its walls. When other 

 flagellates, as Strehlomastix strix and two other smaller forms, are 

 present with it in any numbers, these are found occupying the region 

 near the walls, with Trichonympha- filing the central portion of the 

 canal. 



The intestinal contents resemble a thick milky fluid, the great con 

 sistency of which is due to the vast numbers of protozoans which it 

 contains, along with minute debris of woody particles. Through this 

 mass the triehonj'mphs move with considerable rapidity, using the 

 mobile anterior portion of the body to clear a pathway. This is done 

 by quick sidewise movements, such as those shown in figure C, 2, 

 bending the anterior cone first to one side and then to the other 

 without halting in its progress. Its path is usually straight ahead 

 with little or no rotation of the body on its longitudinal axis. 



The group of long anterior flagella seems to be its main propelling 

 organelle. These are thrown forward and sidewise somewhat as other 

 flagellates use their flagella, with, however, less of the forward motion 

 than is usual with anteriorly attached flagella. The flagella or cilia 

 on the remainder of the body are uniformly directed posteriorly. 

 These are found to have a characteristic motion, both during loco- 

 motion of the organism and when it is at "rest." Waves of contrac- 

 tion pass constantly from the anterior end backward to the tips of 

 the flagella, affecting all on any given plane alike. The motion of the 

 group of longer, anterior flagella, particularly when they are directed 

 posteriorly, as is frequently the case, may coincide with these waves 

 of contraction, which then include all the ciliary covering of the body. 

 These waves continue during observation on the slide until the round- 

 ing up of the body in the culture fluid prior to dissolution. 



These flagellates are extremely susceptible to environmental 

 changes. When placed in culture slides with tap water, distilled 

 water, normal salt solution, or Ringer's fluid, the results have been 

 disastrous in a very short time, varying from a few minutes to 

 half an hour. The body rounds up with considerable distension, 

 becomes transparent with an almost complete loss of organelles, the 

 nucleus only remaining visible until the final dissolution of the body. 



