242 DK. T. S. COBBOLD ON THE PARASITES OF ELEPHANTS. 



is by all the three aberrant genera, seems to imply that their position amongst the 

 Amphistomes is somewhat doubtful ; and I am informed by Professor Leuckart that a 

 recent anatomical investigation of Gastrodiscus, made by one of his pupils, tends to 

 confirm this conclusion. Be that as it may, the simple papilla? within the caudal 

 sucking-disk of Amphistoma papillatum are evidently of the same character as those 

 found in A. asperwni. Diesing describes them as little prominences (Erhabenheiten). 

 As contrasted with the integumentary papilla? so frequent on the general surface of the 

 body of Amphistomes the papilla? placed within the disk of A.papillatum are remarkably 

 large and altogether distinctive. 



11. Fasciola. Jacksoni, Cobb. (Plate XXIV. fig. 12.) 



Fasciola Jacksoni, Cobbold, Quart. Jouru. Micr. Science, Jan. 1869; Supplement to Entozoa, 1869, 



p. 80. 

 Distoma hepatkum, Jackson (non descriptum), Boston Museum Catalogue, 1847, p. 317. 

 Distomum elephantis, Diesing, Syst. Helm. Bd. ii. p. 560; Revision dcr Myzelmintlien, 1858, S. 354. 



Body fiat, orbicular, often folded towards the ventral surface, smooth to the naked 

 eye, but armed throughout with numerous excessively minute dermal spines, which are 

 larger above than below. Oral sucker terminal, small. Ventral sucker large and well 

 forward. Reproductive papilla in the middle line, and placed considerably above the 

 upper lip of the acetabulum ; intromittent organ of great length. Digestive apparatus 

 branched, its ramifications ending in ca3cal terminations, which occupy nearly the whole 

 extent of the body internally ; oesophageal bulb distinct. 



Length \ to f of an inch. 

 Breadth \ to \ of an inch. 



Hab. Biliary ducts and duodenum of Elephas indicus. 



As has been already stated, Dr. von Linstow has fallen into the error of assuming that 

 three species of fluke infest the Elephant. They are, in reality, all one and the same 

 species. Although long previously discovered, this worm was first recognized as a good 

 species by myself in the year 1869. Its discoverer, Dr. Jackson, gave no description of 

 the worm ; and it is clear, from what Dr. Fitz has said, as well as from the entry in the 

 Boston Catalogue, that Jackson supposed that he had encountered the common fluke of 

 ruminants in the Elephant. The description orginally given by me in the journal 

 above quoted differs in no essential particular from that now offered. I have merely 

 emphasized and extended certain characters. 



As causing disease, and zoologically speaking, this entozoon is the most important of 

 the whole group of parasites infesting Elephants. Now that this fact is becoming known 

 to those interested in the preservation of the domestic pachyderms, more attention is 

 likely to be paid to the source and distribution of the parasite. In order, therefore, to 

 clear away certain misconceptions that have already arisen, it is desirable to restate the 

 facts of discovery. 



As remarked in my recent work, the first specimens of Elephants' flukes received in 

 this country were transmitted by Vet.-Surgeon Thacker, of the Madras Army. They 

 were, as he expressly remarks, " forwarded for classification." The specimens, indeed, 



