61 
NOTE ON ROSSIELLA ROSSI (NUTTALL, 1910) OCCURRING 
IN THE JACKAL IN BRITISH EAST AFRICA. 
By GEORGE H. F. NUTTALL, F.R.S. 
{From the Quick Laboratory, University of Cambridge.) 
In a paper published in April, 1910, I described and figured a new 
intracorpuscular parasite found in smears made from the spleen and 
liver of a jackal (Canis adnstus), the animal having been shot by 
Mr W. F. Cooper in British East Africa. As I stated at the time, 
I hesitated about referring the parasite to the genus Riroplasma, and 
only did so provisionally because it offered a resemblance to two 
parasites found in the internal organs of one of my dogs which had 
“ recovered ” from P. canis infection. I, however, added: “ Should 
future investigation prove that the parasite of the jackal differs 
from the types of P. ca7iis encountered in ‘salted dogs’ I would 
propose to refer it to a new genus, Rossiella (Rossia being preoccupied)- 
in view of its specific name.” 
The original description was based upon 98 parasites which were 
all that could be discovered after very prolonged search in the organ 
smears prepared by Mr Cooper. The scarcity of the parasites rather 
suggested the idea that the jackal might perhaps be regarded in the 
light of a “ salted ” animal, and consequently rendered it necessary to be 
cautious in interpreting the significance of the parasites. 
Through the courtesy of Dr R. E. Montgomery, Veterinary Patho¬ 
logical Laboratory, Nairobi, British East Africa, I am now in a position 
to refer P. 7'ossi definitely to a new genus. The parasite will conse¬ 
quently be called Rossiella rossi. Dr Montgomery has sent me 
preparations' comprising a blood-film and six smear preparations from 
1 The slides were prepared from a jackal which died 6. xii. 1911 at the Laboratory iu 
Nairobi. Dr Montgomery writes that Mr Branwhite, an assistant at the Laboratory, had 
had some young Jackals under his care for six weeks, the animals having been caught 
when about 3| months old. Three of the jackal cubs died, in each case it would appear, 
suddenly. The preparations which were sent to me were derived from the third cub, and 
Dr Montgomery sent them to me in view of the parasites in the films corresponding with 
the description of P. rossi. 
\ 
