352 BENEDICT. [Vol. XVI. 



joined at their inner extremities by a portion of varying size, 

 which is antero-dorsal to the rest of the ovary. From this 

 common portion projects a muscular organ, the oocapt,^ com- 

 monly known as the " Schluckapparat " of the German investi- 

 gators, which marks the beginning of the oviduct (PI. XVI, 

 Fig. 6). This organ is of oval shape, .025 mm. wide, and 

 .03 mm. long. It is composed of a layer of circular muscles, 

 .008 mm. thick, surrounding a lumen, .0075 mm. in diameter, 

 which is lined by cubical epithelial cells. The contractions of 

 this organ force the eggs forward into the empty oviduct, as the 

 diameter of the outer end of the lumen is .002 mm, greater than 

 that next to the ovary. About the circular muscles is a coat 

 of fibrous tissue, .007 mm. thick, in which, at fairly regular 

 distances, are long, spindle-shaped glandular cells, with narrow 

 processes running toward the lumen. 



The oocapt has been described in P. filicollis by Kraemer 

 ('92), in P. coryphicepJiala by Monticelli, in P. longicollis by von 

 Linstow ('91), and in Corallobothrium lobostim by Riggenbach 

 ('96). The oviduct emerging from the oocapt is .015 mm. in 

 diameter. It is lined by cubical epithelial, ciliated cells, and 

 surrounded by loose tissue containing gland-like cells. 



The course of the oviduct differs from that of species hitherto 

 described in that it never passes directly backward into the 

 ootype, but always passes toward the posterior margin of the 

 proglottis, and then curves forward into the ootype (PI. XVI, 

 Fig. 10, od.). Starting from the oocapt it makes a wide curve 

 laterally, then turns to the ventral side close to the margin of 

 one of the ovarial lobes, thence follows a wide sweep towards 

 the opposite lobe of ovary, from whence it curves forward and 



1 To my knowledge there exists in English no name for this structure which is 

 of such importance and general occurrence in the cestodes. Some authors have 

 recently endeavored to transfer the German name directly into our scientific termi- 

 nology. The unsatisfactory character of such usage needs no demonstration here. 

 I am accustomed to use the form given in the text to designate this organ. The 

 name is derived from tioi', egg, and k6.vtw%, the gulper or swallower, being thus 

 analogous to the German term, and of similar formation to the designation 

 ootype, used for an associated organ. Since the name has never appeared in 

 print, this formal statement of its derivation and meaning seemed advisable. 



Henry B. Ward. 



