All Appeal for Specimens and Information 

 relating to Pediculus humanus (inel. capitis 

 and corporis) and jP/ifhirus. 



Being engaged in an investigation on human lice, the writer desires 

 to obtain specimens and accurate information concerning these para- 

 sites from different parts of the world. 



The specimens should be killed and well preserved in 70 % alcohol ; 

 about fifty adults besides larvae, if obtainable, are desired from each 

 locality. Head-lice and body-lice should be kept apart. They 

 should be accompanied by brief notes regarding their prevalence on 

 the races or inhabitants of the region whence they are sent. 



Where specimens are not procurable, any written communication 

 on the subject will be welcome, and references to the mention of lice 

 in works of travel may prove useful. 



A careful survey of the literature on Pediculus has shown that there 

 is a lack of precise information regarding these most common human 

 parasites in respect to their distribution, prevalence, coloration when 

 alive, and their site of parasitism on the host. Whereas most authors 

 assert that "capitis" and "corporis" occur only upon the head and 

 clothing respectively, there are several recorded observations dis- 

 proving the statement since both have been occasionally signalled as 

 present on the body with their nits upon the body-hair. It would 

 be interesting to determine by careful inspection how frequently this 

 more generalized infestation occurs. The data relating to the geo- 

 graphical distribution are scattered and insufficient, nevertheless they 

 appear to have led to the assumption that Pediculus, mider favourable 

 conditions, accompanies man in all climates. There is extraordinarily 

 little recorded regarding the geographical distribution of Phthirus. 



The writer will gratefully acknowledge the source of any specimens 

 or information which he may receive ; the collected data, it is expected, 

 will make the subject of a publication following a series of papers on 

 human lice which have begun to appear in Parasitology. Commu- 

 nications may be written in any European language according to 

 the convenience of the correspondent. 



George H. F. Nuttall, 

 Quick Professor of Biology. 

 Thb Museums, 

 Cambridge, 

 England. 



[p. T. o. 



