320 



of the red cell without anj' displacement of the 

 latter (Fig. 67). Young forms are occasionally 

 seen, but whether these are young sexual or asexual 

 forms is not determined. Segmenting forms and 

 those corresponding to an asexual cycle, as in 

 proteosoma, are unknown. 



Two varieties of parasites, the male and 

 female gametes, are easily distinguished. 



(i) Note that the male gamete has a clear 

 hyaline appearance. On staining (Romanowsky) 

 a central mass of chromatin is distinguished, 

 while the protoplasm is a faint blue. Five or 

 more oval pigment grains are placed generally 

 at either extremity. 



(ii) In fresh specimens the female gamete is 

 finely granular, and the pigment is frequently 

 scattered throughout. On staining, a small 

 amount of chromatin is shewn, while the proto- 

 plasm takes on a deep blue colour. 



Flagellation. — Select an infected bird that 

 shews numerous gametes in each field. Proceed 

 in the same way as in proteosoma. The gametes 

 first become spherical and then escape from the 

 red cell. The pigment of the male gamete dis- 

 plays violent movement, and in a few minutes 

 four to eight flagella are extended. The motion 

 of these is at first so rapid that they cannot be 

 distinguished, but the corpuscles in the neigh- 

 bourhood are seen moving. In a few minutes one 

 or more breaks off, and if, fortunately, a .female 

 gamete is in the same field, the loose flagellum 

 (mikrogamete) can be seen entering the female. 

 The pigment of the latter shews active movements 

 at this stage. 



Vermiciili. — I'he formation can readily be 



