337] NORTH AMERICAN ASPIDOGASTRIDAE— STUNK ARD 57 



found no glandular structure in the fibrous part. Instead of supporting 

 I believe that they are subversive to the idea of the glandular nature of 

 th<» organ. 



In my material the fibers which pass dorsad from the bulb are iden- 

 tical in appearance with the adjacent connective tissue and do not ap- 

 pear to be nervous. The muscular wall of the canal is I believe, used 

 primarily in the eversion and retraction of the external part of the canal. 

 In living specimens under observation the everted part of the marginal 

 organ was about the size and shape of the thick-walled distal portion of 

 the canal, and this is probably the only part protrusible. With this ever- 

 sion, the base of the thick walled portion to which the nerve is distributed 

 would be at the tip of the everted structure in a position to function in a 

 sensory capacity. 



Comparisons. — This is the third aspidocotylean described from tur- 

 tles, the two previously reported forms being Cotylaspis lenoiri Poirier 

 1886, and Lophotaspis vallei Stossich 1899, both African species. Poirier 

 described C. lenoiri from the intestine of Tetrathyra vaillanti from Sen- 

 egal, and Looss (1902) reports it as occurring also mTrionyx notilica of 

 the Nile. Lophostaspis vallei is parasitic in the stomach of Thalassochi lys 

 corticata. Cotylaspis cokeri is very different from Lophotaspis, but shows 

 considerable resemblance to C. lenoiri. However, a comparison of the 

 description of C. lenoiri with specimens of C. insignis and C. cokeri shows 

 decided difference in the size and shape of the worms and of the adhesive 

 disc, in the number of alveoli and marginal organs, in the sive of ovary 

 and testis, of cirrus sac, and of eggs. The three forms agree in essential 

 morphological features and fit the diagnosis of the genus Cotylaspis as 

 given by Leidy, but are equally clearly good species in that genus. 



CLASSIFICATION OF THE FAMILY 



The last classification of the Aspidogastridae was made by Xickerson 

 (1902). Since additions and changes have subsequently been made, 

 further revision seems advisable. The present arrangement is largely 

 based on the work of Nickerson and brings the classification to date. 

 Present information supports the validity of the following genera. 



I. Aspidogaster von Baer 1827. Type species, A. conchicola von 

 Baer. 



Oval adhesive disc, four rows of alveoli, marginal organs present, 

 mouth subterminal, no oral sucker, one testis. 



This genus contains A. conchicola which infests the pericardium and 

 renal organs of various species of Unionidae in Europe and North Amer- 

 ica. It is also found in gastropods and in the immature condition in 

 th» intestine of Unionidae. Other species of this genus are A. limacoiclcs 



