Studies on the Balantidium from the guinea‐pig

Observations indicate that this Balantidium from the guinea‐pig is Balantidium coli, the form found in the pig and man. The lengths and breadths of this Balantidium and the ratios of length to breadth are very close to the measurements and ratios given by McDonald for B. coli. When plotted, the body lengths of the guinea‐pig parasites appear in two groups, the smaller individuals being the exconjugants. Many of these exconjugants resemble Neiva's B. caviae. The structure of the Balantidium from the guinea‐pig is essentially identical with that of B. coli as given by McDonald. Fission and conjugation of this ciliate follow the general course found in a number of other ciliates. During fission the micronucleus divides and the daughter micronuclei migrate to each end of the macronucleus before the latter divides. In conjugation there are two divisions of the micronucleus, one of these nuclei dividing to form the pronuclei. Pronuclear exchange and fusion are followed by a heteropolar division of the synkaryon, resulting in the formation of the new macronuclear and micronuclear anlagen. The parasite was found in the intestinal tissue of the host. No reproductive stages were found in the cysts. New hosts are invaded through contamination of the food and drink with the cysts.