INTRACELLULAR CRYSTALLIZATION OF HEMOGLOBIN IN THE ERYTHROCYTES OF THE NORTHERN PIPEFISH, SYNGNATHUS FUSCUS

¹ From the Zoölogical Laboratories, Harvard University, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Mass

Crystallization of hemoglobin within the erythrocytes of the pipefish is described. This phenomenon is readily produced by slow drying, especially in a humid atmosphere.

Preceding the appearance of the definitive crystals the erythrocytes lose their characteristic oval form and become angular, triangular and rhomboidal forms predominating. Then definite clefts appear, followed soon after by the appearance of typical crystals. The number of crystals within individual cells varies. Two, three, and four large crystals are most commonly encountered, but a more variable number of minute needle-like forms may also be present in the erythrocyte.

It is of interest to note that the erythrocytes exhibit deformation due to the changing orientation of the hemoglobin molecules before any evidence of crystal formation can be detected with ordinary transmitted light.

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