230 DE. T. S. COBBOLD ON THE PAEASITES OF ELEPHANTS. 



lenses the markings pretty closely correspond with the polyhedral networks figured as 

 well as described by Schneider from two species of Gordius. In our Elephant's 

 nematode the network seems to lie somewhat deeper (PL XXIII. figs. 1, 2). To myself 

 the finer markings present the appearance of vascular ramifications proceeding from 

 common stems, each muscle having a group of its own. There are thus several sets of 

 vessels; and these groups, as such, do not anastomose with each other. Probably there 

 are main trunks connecting all the secondary stems together ; and, taken as a whole, 

 they have not the uniformly reticulated characters seen in the network of the Gordii. 

 I believe them to form special developments of the water-vascular system. Their 

 structure deserves further study. I should not, indeed, have hazarded thus much con- 

 cerning them, had not Dr. Baird emphasized their importance as a basis of specific 

 nomenclature. As it appears to me, either Dr. Baird or his artist has made the head and 

 neck of a female Sclerostoma sipunculiforme do duty for the next equally well marked 

 species; at least I find the clathrate appearance in this worm, and not in the worm 

 which he has called Sclerostoma clathratum. The two worms are undoubtedly good 

 species ; and their respective heads bear no sort of resemblance to each other, either as 

 regards form, size, markings, or oral armature. If Dr. Baird's own admirably clear 

 diagnosis be examined, one can hardly fail to see that his description of the head and 

 neck of Sclerostoma clathratum only corresponds with some of the particulars given in 

 the illustration to which I have referred. In making this statement I am far from 

 supposing that my own observations are free from error. 



3. Strongylus clatiikattjs, Baird. (Plate XXIII. figs. 3, 4, 5.) 

 Sclerostoma clathratum, Baird, Proceed. Zool. Soc. 1868, p. 202 (with figs.). 



Body linear, sub filiform, cylindrical, but rather suddenly narrowed in front and 

 behind. Head small, scarcely half the width of the body, truncated, surrounded by 

 five very small auricular folds. Mouth armed with a few teeth. Bursa broader than 

 long, obscurely three-lobed ; anterior ray short and double ; antero-lateral ray simple 

 and straight ; middle ray double, of very great size ; postero-lateral ray moderately 

 long and slender ; posterior ray cleft at the extremity. Spicules two, broad, and highly 

 coloured. Tail of the female bluntly pointed, with the reproductive outlet slightly 

 removed from the base in front. 



Length of the male 2 inches. 



Length of the female 2 inches to 3 inches. 



ILab. Stomach and intestines of Elephas indicus and Loxodonta africana. 



In my account of the previous species the origin of the nomenclature adopted by 

 Dr. Baird is explained ; and, excepting that I prefer to place this worm with the 

 strongyles, properly so called, rather than in the genus Sclerostoma, no alteration of the 

 title seems necessary. If our diagnosis be compared, it will be seen that whilst much has 

 here been added, little, save as regards the clathrate character, has been altered in 

 respect of Dr. Baird's description. With the exception of the enlarged head of the female 

 worm, all the figures given by Dr. Baud arc thoroughly characteristic, and probably 



