ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY, MICROSCOPY, ETC. 841 



in each cyst producing only a single zoospore. It differs in the 

 original cyst-membrane having no spines. 



Associated with Vampyrella, the author found an allied organism, 

 to which, from its resemblance to Monas amyli, he gives the name 

 Monadopsis vampyrelloides. It consists of cysts from which zoospores 

 escape in a manner very similar to Vampyrella, and Klein believes 

 that it is a transitional stage of development intermediate between 

 this genus and Monas. 



Eespecting the systematic position of Vampyrella, the author regards 

 the genus as being most nearly allied to the Myxomycetes, but consist- 

 ing of forms living in water. The species differ from both the Myxo- 

 mycetes and the Chytridiacese in the absence of a cell-nucleus. They 

 are organisms which are ordinarily propagated non-sexually by means 

 of zoospores ; the occasional conjugation of these indicating the 

 commencement of a higher stage. An interesting difference from 

 rhizopods, with which Cienkowski associates them, is that, unlike 

 these low animal forms, they can only derive their nourishment from 

 particular species of algse. They must, however, be regarded as 

 presenting transitional forms between the animal and vegetable 

 kingdoms. 



Special resemblances are pointed out to Monas amyli parasitic on 

 Nitella, and to Protomyxa and Myxastrum which inhabit sea-water — 

 all of which produce conjugating zoospores. Klein regards them as 

 intermediate forms between Vampyrella and the true Myxomvcetes ■ 

 while Nuclearia and Actinophrys are the most nearly allied forms among 

 rhizopods. 



He proposes to establish a new family of Hydromyxace^:, with the 

 following characters : — Parasitic aquatic organisms, producing cysts, 

 from which, when mature, one or more zoospores destitute of nucleus 

 escape directly. At once, or at a later period, these assume an 

 actinophrys or amoeboid form, two or more coalescing with one another 

 when meeting, and producing plasmodium-like bodies. The zoospores, 

 as well as the plasmodia which result from their coalescence, form 

 new cysts after absorbing nutriment. Subsequently, also, resting 

 cysts are produced ; but these are not at present known in Monadopsis 

 and Protomyxa. The family is made up of the genera Vampyrella, 

 Monadopsis, Monas, and Protomyxa. The following are the generic 

 characters : — 



1. Vampyrella Cnk. The ripe cysts contain a red or orange 

 endochrome, with dark spots ; membrane usually coloured blue by 

 iodine and sulphuric acid. The endochrome escapes in from 2-4 

 (rarely more) pieces, which develope into zoospores, moving either 

 by pseudopodia or by a colourless seam ; the division into zoospores 

 takes place during the escape. In the coalescence of the zoospores, 

 the pseudopodia first unite, and then the body ; from 2-4 (rarely 

 more) zoospores conjugating in this way. Plasmodia small, usually 

 resembling a large zoospore, and with neither vacuoles nor anasto- 

 moses. The plasmodia and zoospores both develope into new cysts. 

 Resting cysts are also known. Seven species. 



2. Monadopsis Klein (only 1 species, M. vampyrelloides). Cysts 



