On a green leucocytosis in oysters associated with the presence of copper in the leucocytes

Abstract

In the course of an investigation upon oysters under normal and abnormal conditions, upon which we have been engaged for the last two years, and upon which we propose to submit to the Society a detailed memoir during next session, we have come upon a phenomenon which we regard of such considerable importance that we desire to publish a brief record of our observations and experiments, as we believe they may prove of interest to other biologists who are engaged in work on the micro-chemistry of the cell. The phenomenon we have now to describe is the presence of large quantities of copper in certain green leucocytes found in a diseased condition of the American oyster. The oysters suffering from this leucocytosis are always more or less green, but must not be confounded with ordinary green gilled oysters, where the colour is due to a totally distinct cause.