546 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.59. 



development of processes anteriorly along the walls of the cloaca 

 and along the sides of the genital cone. It seems probable that this 

 relatively hard and distinct structure with its wide variation in shape 

 will prove of value as a generic and specific character. The material 

 of which it is composed gives the impression of being very similar 

 to that forming the wall of the sucker in such genera as Heterakis, 

 where the sucker is strongly developed. What is apparently the 

 same material appears to be present in the region of the vulva in the 

 female, apparently serving the same purpose as a supporting structure. 

 This seems to be a quite distinct structure in Trichostrongylus, and 

 for the time being this may be referred to as the vulvar support. 



