SYNOPSIS. The following four subgenera. I based chiefly on the form of the macronucleus, are proposed for thr genus Blepharisma Perty 1852: 1) Compactum, having a single compact interphase macronucleus. Type species B Compactum hyalinum Perty. 2) Filijormis, having a vermiform or tubular elongate interphase macronuclcus. occasionally doubled or even fragmented in individuals. Type spcies B. (Filiformis) intermedium Bhandary. 3) Blepharisma, having an interphase macronucleus with two or more nodes usually connected by a very thin strand between the nodes. Type species B. (Blepharisma) Perisicinum Perty. 4) Halteroides, having an interphase macronucleus in two nodes connected by a thick strand. Type species B. (Halteroides) tropicum Bhandary. Differences between the subgenera also can be found in the size, pigmentation, presence or absence of cysts and conjugaion 26 species are presented. While integradations between the subgenera and species exist, it is felt that separation of the four groups is warranted and may indicate possible evolutionary trends within the genus.

SYNOPSIS. Three new species of Blepharisma are presented: B. seshachari sp. nov., B. intermedium sp. nov., and B. tropicum sp. nov. Two sub‐species of Suzuki are elevated to specific rank, B. undulans americanum to B. americanum and B. undulans japonicum Suzuki to B. japonicum Suzuki. Stein's taxa for the species Blepharisma undulans are considered to be diagnostic for that species. Important features of morphology and life‐cycle of the above mentioned species are given. Discussion and position of the species Blepharisma undulans are presented and a proposal for the reorganization of the species is made. The possibility of a new key derived from a hypothesis of the phylogeny on an evolutionary basis of the genus is presented. This hypothesis has been extended to include ciliates like Stentor and Spirostomum and its implications discussed.

SYNOPSIS. The Indian race of Blepharisma undulans described in this paper measures 150 μ in length. The macronucleus consists of 5–7 nodes, all of equal size. During binary fission, condensation of macronucleus is followed by its elongation and a thinning of the middle region which breaks with the division of the animal. It later attains the typical vegetative form. During conjugation 7 or 8 micronuclei pass through the first pregamic division, 5 to 7 through the second pregamic division and one product of the second division takes part in the third division. The rest degenerate. At the same time, the macronucleus also starts degenerating. After the synkaryon has divided twice, the conjugating pairs separate. Of the 4 products, 3 become macronuclear anlagen and one, micronuclear anlage. The micronuclei divide asynchronously both during binary fission and during conjugation. There is apparently considerable diversity in the structure and behaviour of the macronucleus and micronuclei in the different races of Blepharisma undulans.

No abstract