R. T. Wells 217 
any well defined nucleus but with more or less scattered irregular 
chromatin masses or granules. 
The details of the life-cycle of these two types of amoebae have 
been studied in cultures on solid agar only; however both types (a) and 
(b) have been found to multiply to some extent in diluted broth 
(1 in 10, 1 in 100), though this medium does not seem to be at all so 
favourable to their growth as is Musgrave’s agar. 
Flagellated forms, such as von Wasielewski and Hirschfeld found to 
develop in growths of “ straw amoebae ” transferred from agar to weak 
broth, were not observed in either type. In the fluid cultures no 
contractile vacuole was observed in the vegetative phase. The cysts 
were characteristic of their respective types and similar to those found 
in cultures on agar. 
1V. Conclusions. 
1. Amoebae of at least two different types are, in this part of 
India at any rate, commonly present in the air, just as are many moulds 
and bacteria. 
2. These amoebae can readily gain access, (i) to specimens of 
faeces, however carefully collected, (ii) to specimens of pus or other 
material which has, either before or after removal from the body, been 
exposed to the air and (iii) to any material after it has been inseminated 
on Musgrave’s medium contained in Petri dishes. 
These facts indicate yet another source of confusion in dealing with 
cultures of amoebae, from faeces, in addition to those mentioned by 
Doflein (1909) as quoted in the Introduction (p. 207). 
In view of the confusion which at present obtains in the classifica¬ 
tion of amoebae, no attempt is here made to assign the two organisms 
described to any particular species. 
However, the morphology and life-cycle of these undoubted sapro¬ 
phytes have, at least, enough in common with the features described 
by a large group of authors^ as characteristic of true parasites to give 
rise to serious confusion. 
I wish to express my gratitude to Major A. F. Stevens, I.M.S. 
Superintendent, Central Jail Hazaribagh, for his kindness in providing 
every facility for this work in the Jail and for many valuable suggestions. 
1 Musgrave and Olegg, Nagler, Noc, Schaudinn, Strong. 
