30 J. T. PATTERSON 



According to Silvestri's observations, the egg of Litomastix 

 may be laid in any part of the host embryo (Plusia), or even in 

 the yolk outside the embryo. The egg is destroyed if laid either 

 in the intestine or yolk. In late stages the germ mass may be 

 found in any part of the young caterpillar, except the intestine 

 or anterior part of the head. It is most frequently found in the 

 thorax, either above or below the oesophagus. He also found 

 the polygerm in the nerve ganglia, especially the brain ganglia. 



In Ageniaspis Martin believes that the frequent occurrence 

 of the egg in the thoracic ganglia of the caterpillar is to be cor- 

 related with the laying time of the parasite. He finds that the 

 egg clings to the ganglion in such a manner that the typical 

 shape of the ganglion is preserved. In late stages of development 

 he could no longer find the polygerm connected with a ganglion, 

 which fact leads him to conclude that on account of its growth 

 the polygerm is forced out of the ganglion. 



My own observations on Paracopidosomopsis very closely paral- 

 lel those of Silvestri on Litomastix. The egg may be deposited in 

 any part of the host egg, but disintegrates if it happens to be 

 placed in the yolk or intestine. In the newly hatched cater- 

 pillar the egg may be found in any part of the body cavity or 

 embedded in the tissues adjacent thereto. There are two kinds 

 of tissues in which it is frequently found, namely, nervous and 

 adipose. 



Both the cephalic and ventral ganglia often contain parasitic 

 eggs. In my preparations I have counted no less than sixty- 

 three cases of infected ganglia, distributed as follows: one egg 

 in ventral ganglion, 40 cases; two eggs in ventral ganglion, 3 

 cases; one egg in supra- or suboesophageal ganglion, 18 cases; 

 two eggs in brain ganglia, 2 cases. The egg may be deposited 

 directly in the ganglion. Figure 70 is a portion of a suboeso- 

 phageal ganglion containing a fertilized egg undergoing matura- 

 tion. Several similar cases have been observed. Figure 69 

 is a longitudinal section through the third ventral ganglion con- 

 taining a well-developed polygerm. Figure 71 is a similar sec- 

 tion through the fourth ventral ganglion. It contains a large 

 asexual larvae, several secondary masses, and a small group of 



