48 



ON A GYROCOTYLE FROM GHIMJ^RA OGILBYI, 

 AND ON GYROCOTYLE IN GENERAL, 



By W, a. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.8., Challis Pkofessok 

 OF Biology, University of Sydney. 



(Plate vii.) 



The Monozoic Cestodes of the genus Gyrocotyle ( Ampliiptyches) 

 are, in the adult condition, parasites exclusively of fishes of the 

 order Holocephali, and have been found not only in the northern 

 Cki?ncera monstrosa, but in the southern Callorhynchus antarcticus 

 and C. argenteus. It is, therefore, not a matter for surprise that 

 the new species of the former genus trawled by the " Thetis " in 

 1898, and described b}' Mr. E. R. Waite under the name of C. 

 Oyilbyi,* proves to be the host of a member of this group. A 

 few months ago Mr. Waite sent me two specimens in alcohol of 

 a species of Gyrocotyle, taken from a specimen of C/mnchra 

 Ogilhyi, recenth^ received by the Australian Museum from Manlv. 



In comparing these specimens with the published accounts of 

 G. 2triia and G. rugosa, and with a preserved specimen and 

 sections of the latter, a difficulty occurs which has to be dealt 

 with at the outset. Contrary opinions are held b}^ difterent 

 observers as to the orientation of the animal. By Wagener (8), 

 followed by Diesing, Olsson, Monticelli (5, 6), Braun (2, 3), and 

 others, the end Ijearing the peculiar plicated sti-ucture termed the 

 funnel is looked upon as posterior. By Baldwin Spencer (7), and 

 l)y Lijnnberg (4), on the other hand, the funnel end is regarded as 



* E. 11. Waite, "Scientitic Results of the Trawling Expedition of 

 H.M.C.S. ' Thetis."* Australian Museum, Memoir iv., 1899. 



