237 
strand may be seen considerably thickened at the middle (fig. 19). 
This connection becomes smaller and smaller until both parasites 
separate into two pear-shaped forms; the small nucleus dividing again 
even before the separation is complete. On the other hand division 
of the large nucleus may set in first, accompanied or not, by a division 
of the connecting line (figs. 44-52). 
While the pear-shaped forms are still connected, a second small 
nucleus may arise from the large one (fig. 53 n^. We have not been 
able to explain the meaning of this process. 
A striking feature of the present stage of the infection is the 
occurrence of unequal divisions of the parasite. The nuclei of the 
cells divide in the usuai way, but the cytoplasm divides into two 
unequal parts, the smaller parasite assuming a crescent shape. This 
division may be compared with the sickle-shaped detachment of the 
cytoplasm described above. 
Leishman and Statham^^ describe a similar process in Leiskmania 
donovani {Piroflasma donovani), with the important difference, 
however, that eventually nuclei were seen in these detached parts of 
the parasite. 
We, however, could not follow an analogous procedure in 
Piroplasma canis To our minds there are two distinct processes. 
Either the cytoplasm becomes detached in a regular way without 
co-operation of the nuclei; or, the nuclei take part in the division. 
The enucleated particles of cytoplasm probably degenerate, and give 
rise to the appearance of irregular dark staining masses in the 
protoplasm of the infected red cells, or the detached part contains one 
or two nuclei and gives rise to a new parasite (figs. 28 and 29). Rarely 
chromatin appears to be given off from the nucleus, and become free 
in the red cell (fig. 30). This process has already been described by 
Nuttall and Graham-Smith,^® but its significance is unknown. 
The parasites occurring in the blood of organs do not differ 
markedly from those found in the peripheral and heart blood. As 
(livision appears to proceed more rapidly in the organ blood, the 
parasites are usually slightly smaller and more compact. The free 
forms, which occur in greater numbers in the organs, divide in t e 
same way as the intra-cellular forms, i.e., round and pear shape 
division. (Compare fig. 43.) 
