ON A NEW EHIZOPOD PARASITE OP MAN. 



87 



comparisons that the present Amœba represents a form quite distinct from the one 

 just mentioned. 



The serous fluid, obtained from time to time by repeated punctures, was al- 

 ways of the same nature and appearance, well agreeing with V. Leyden's ac- 

 count (loc. cit.) of the ascites-fluid in which Leydenia gammi para was found. It 

 was of a dark-reddish color on account of a large proportion of the blood it con- 

 tained. When left standing for a few hours in a vessel, it separated into a serum 

 f yellowish colour with greenish fluorescence and a thick sediment of dark-red 

 Color. The latter, when examined under the microscope) revealed the usual ele- 

 ments of a blood-coagulu m (red and white blood-córpuscles, fibrin net-work) be- 

 sides a variable number of what appeared to be endothelial cells in the process 

 of fatty degeneration and a multitude of peculiar bodies, the Amœba to be pre- 

 sently described {vide annexed half-tone cuts). 



These were by no means uniform in appearance. AVhile some showed a very 

 characteristic shape and were evidently alive, others were abnormally vacuolated 

 more or less swollen and apparently dead or nearly so. It is a noteworthy fact 

 that both dead and living specimens Were found together even in the fluid exa- 

 mined on warm stage immediately after extraction. 



Individuals in living and consequently normal state (figs. 1 — 3) were found 

 always isolated, never adhering together in clusters. The body of such is habi- 



Fig. 2. — Same as above, the pseudopodia on the knob extended filament-like. Nucleus not 

 visible. Vacuoles and oil-like corpuscles as in fig. 1. 



Fig. 3. — Another living specimen, in which the villous knob is bounded against the main 

 body by a shallow ring-groove. Several vacuoles within ; above these the nucleus is indicated 

 by the clearer appearance o f the sarcode. 



Fig 4. — A fiesh specimen in the first stage of becoming morbid, but still showing some 

 pseud podia. The knob bearing the latter i-s being eacroached upon by the vacuoles which are 

 enlarging themselves by imbibition. 



Fig. 5. — Small, probably young specimens, o, with uneven surface ; neither vacuole' nor 

 oil-like corpuscles present, but with nucleus indistinctly recognizable at centre, b, biscuit-shaped 

 and the two nuclei so disposed as if in proc 'ss of cell-division ; several small vacuoles and a 

 few oil-like corpuscles at the middle, c, the surface uneven and with pseudopodia-like pro- 

 cèdes ; a single small vacuole and a scanty number of oil-like corpuscles present, d,- spherical, 

 with three vacuoles and a fair number of oil-like corpuscles Jn all the above figures the vil- 

 lous knob is either concealed from view or not develope 1 at all. e, with unmistakeable knob but 

 without villi or pseudopodia ; no vacuole ; numerous oil-like corpuscles around the nucleu . 



Fig. 6.— A specimen treated with dilute acetic acid solution. P eud< pod\0 on the knob 

 retracted ; three nuclei made distinctly visible ; no vacuole. 



Fig. 7. — A similarly treated specimen witli two nuclei. The knob is either concealed or 

 obliterated. The vacuoles have lost sharpness of contour. The accumulation of imbibed fluid 

 has cm-ed the pellide to heave up, pustule-like, at several p'aces. 



Fig. 8. — Portion of a large mass formed by the coheriug together of dead, stroDgly vacu- 

 olated individuals. Seen in fresh state. 



Fig. 9. — A similar cluster of dead individuals, seen after treatment with acetic acid (great- 

 ly swollen but nuclei made distinct). 



