A. Porter 
155 
phase of a trypanosome ? What special evidence is there that Herpeto- 
monas ctenophthalmi is a phase of a trypanosome ? Similarly what 
evidence is there regarding C. melophagia, C. nycterihiae, G. simuliae, 
and G. tabani respectively being stages of trypanosomes ? Who has 
found the respective trypanosomes and where are they described ? 
Who has witnessed the metamorphosis of either of the organisms in 
each direction from Grithidia to Trypanosoma and from Trypanosoma 
to Gi'ithidia, and experimentally proved the identity of the forms ? 
Dr Woodcock in his solicitude for the general reader would have been 
well advised to answer these questions. Instead, in all courtesy, 
I would state that he has raised many side issues—and certain 
personalities which I return to him. Regarding G. tabani he might 
read a recent paper (April, 1911) dealing with the Grithidia of Uganda 
Tabanids by Sir D. Bruce and colleagues which paper does not support 
his (Woodcock’s) views. 
Dr Woodcock blames me for quoting only part of his references to 
Grithidia and Herpetomonas. Of course I challenged his use of inverted 
commas in certain specified cases, his method of dealing with other 
species about which no sane person would quibble was no concern of 
mine. But Dr Woodcock when discussing Herpetomonas jaculum in 
Nepa cinerea lays himself open to criticism, either of sheer ignorance of 
the feeding habits of Nepa —a blood-sucker attacking any blood-contain¬ 
ing animal to which it can attach itself; or to lack of constancy in his 
argument as to his method of treatment; or to carelessness; for he 
states that it is “ only where such forms are described from blood¬ 
sucking hosts that the inverted commas are used.” Again, the conduct 
of Dr Woodcock in so insulting the general intelligence of his readers 
by raising side issues regarding G. gerridis in a non-sanguivorous insect 
is reprehensible. Incidentally he says Gerids is “ alleged ” to be non- 
sanguivorous. Why this gratuitous doubt should be set forth is 
incomprehensible when thoroughly capable observers have recorded 
their observations on the habits of the bug, a most important point 
when dealing with the life-history of its parasites. Had Dr Woodcock 
placed the name G. gerridis within inverted commas, he might, by now, 
have been restricted in his movements as quite beyond the pale of 
commonsense. His trick of raising side issues and setting them up as 
“men of straw” merely to “be knocked down again,” while he hopes 
for the plaudits of his readers, will not deceive scientific investigators. 
Dr Woodcock has made the mistake of belittling the intelligence of his 
readers and co-workers. 'Let him tell us what direct evidence there is 
for suggesting that, for example, G. simuliae is a stage in the life cycle 
