234 



DE. T. S. COBBOLD OX THE PARASITES OF ELEPHANTS. 



Fig. 3. 



In reference to the reproductive apparatus of Strongylus foliatus, I am unable to state 

 the position of the female outlet, whilst the rather small hood of the male presents 

 appearances that are difficult of interpretation. The anterior ray (a) is clearly dicho- 

 tomous and normal in other respects. The next ray, or pair of rays (b), forms a puzzle. 

 Either the antero-lateral ray is altogether suppressed, or, if present, it is dichotomous 

 and very similar in appearance to the anterior rays, the two halves being closely applied. 

 According to Schneider's mode of interpretation, the antero-lateral ray is invariably 

 single ; and thus, if his view be correct, the lower half of the ray (c) must, in the parti- 

 cular case before us, belong to the middle ray. Strange as it may seem, this is probably 

 the correct interpretation of the facts here exhibited. 

 From this it will follow that the next two large and 

 conspicuous rays (c 1 , cl) are not (as one might have sup- 

 posed) the divided shafts of a great dichotomous middle 

 ray, but the upper division (c') represents the lower 

 segment of the middle ray (as in Schneider's system), 

 and the lower division will thus represent the usually 

 solitary postero-lateral ray (d). The latter ray, accord- 

 ing to Schneider, is also always single. In this fashion 

 I am contented to interpret the facts, though, looking 

 to the exaggerated ray-divisions in question, it is diffi- 

 cult to disassociate them so as to conform to Schnei- 

 der's plan. It seems as if the large pair of half-rays 



must correspond w r ith the yet more exaggerated half-rays of the great middle ray of 

 Strongylus clalhratus. When we come to the posterior ray (e) all difficulties of homology 

 vanish. In Strongylus foliatus it is dichotomous or deeply cleft, the base being united 

 to its fellow of the opposite side. 



The spicules, though offering nothing remarkable in structure, arc characteristic of 

 the species. At the base they are bent in a spiral manner, and slightly flattened. Their 

 shafts lie parallel to one another, and become narrowed very gradually towards the tips, 

 where they are slightly turned forwards and finely pointed. Each measures about ^s °f 

 an inch from end to end. 



In regard to the membrane of the hood, I should have stated that under moderately 

 high powers one may observe regularly arranged and excessively delicate striye radiating 

 from the base to its circumferential border. 



Diagram of the hood and rays of 

 Strongylus foliatus ( x 60 diain.). 



5. Strongylus falclfer, sp. nov. (Plate XXIII. fig. 11, and Plate XXIV. figs. 1-3.) 



Body of a bright orange-red colour anteriorly, more or less curved, smooth, and rather 

 narrowed in front and behind. Head well marked, short, with radiating external lines, 

 and truncated. Mouth simple, surrounded by an outer series of four large conical 

 papillae and by an inner circle of numerous small papilla? or granulations ; oral cavity 

 shallow. Bursa conspicuously three-lobed, with the posterior rays large and dichoto- 

 mous. Sj/icules long, strongly bent towards their ends, which are blunt, spatulate, and 



