244 VERMIAN PARASITOLOC.ICAL RESliAKCH. 



The life-history of none of these has, as far as I know, been 

 investigated, and even in cases which are specifically identical 

 with other forms whose life-history has been worked out in 

 some other part of the world, the life-history is consequently un- 

 known in South Africa. It may be pointed out that much time 

 may be saved and success more assured if data are collected 

 from direct observation with respect to locality, specific hosts. 

 and the systems, digestive, venous, or reproductive, wherein such 

 parasites appear. Such interest can only be stimulated on the 

 initiative of scientific men in South Africa. 



It is needless to point out in detail the importance of para- 

 sitic worms from the hy^^ienic and economic standpoints, but 

 it may, nevertheless, be noted that the occurrence of 

 Bilharzia in children within the Union is of sufficient importance 

 to justify the compulsory teaching of such and allied forms in 

 the schools of the country. The early acquaintance with Zoology 

 and all-important Parasitology would further stimulate a desire 

 for a fuller and more com]:)lete knowledge of human and animal 

 vermian ])arasites and their life-histories. 



But a detailed knowledge of the South African forms is of 

 interest beyond its relation to hygiene and economy, namely, its 

 importance morphologically. Less is known of the South Afri- 

 can representatives than of those of any other part of the civilized 

 world. And this is due to our common failing in deciding that 

 anythin^i- is only of economic importance when it has disastrous 

 effects, and then only deserving of Governmental assistance. A 

 morphological knowledge of the group must at least help on 

 purelv scientific grounds towards the elucidation of these groups 

 as Zoological entities. Furthermore, a comparative and some- 

 what complete morphological knowledge, particularly in the case 

 of our wild native animals, will be of much value in connection 

 with distributional problems, and assist us in working out the 

 physiological relations between host and parasite. The existence 

 of a wild fauna offers, indeed, splendid opportunities for the 

 solution of such problems. 



Although my main object is to stimulate interest and enlist 

 co-operators and collectors, one's interest in the investigation 

 of the group compels one to complain of the serious dearth of 

 literature under which one has to labour. Let us hope that this 

 serious drawback will receive the full attention from our new 

 Universities at the earliest possible stage. 



\n conclusion, for the guidance of those who are sufficiently 

 interested to afford me assistance in the getting of specimens. 

 I wish to state that Trematodes occur in practically all organs 

 of the body, and may be killed to best advantage in a hot satur- 

 ated aqueous solution of corrosive sublimate, thence, after about 

 15 minutes, transferred to 70 per cent, alcohol. If such re- 

 agents are not procurable, a 8-10 per cent, aqueous solution of 

 formalin may be used for killing and preserving. 



(Read. July 3, 191 7.) 



