BY T. HARVEY JOHNSTON, M.A., D.SC. 77 



somewhat similar in appearance both being obtusely 

 rounded, but the tail end is broader. At the head end are 

 three papillae placed laterally, while surrounding the mouth 

 are three very slight pit- like depressions, with each of 

 which is associated a highly refracting rod- like structure, 

 apparently of a chitinoid nature. This bifurcates, each 

 branch being relatively long. These six rods come into 

 relation with the anterior end of the alimentary canal, 

 where it meets the mouth cavity which has thus something 

 of the character of a mouth capsule. The alimentary 

 canal is of the usual filarial tj^pe ; the nerve ring surrounding 

 it at a distance of -027 mm. from the anterior end of the 

 worm. The anus is subterminal, lying at only -08 mm. 

 from the posterior end. 



Xo definite papillae were recognised in the colacal 

 region, though there appeared to be indications of a small 

 pre- anal pair. The male spicules are relatively large and 

 thick ; the longer being -75 mm. in length, sabre-like, 

 twisted and with a broad lancet- like termination ; while 

 the other is also long, but is bent in a remarkable manner 

 to form an elongate S. The total length of the latter, 

 including curves, is -60 mm. The general breadth of both 

 spicules is the same (-025 mm. ) 



T desire to associate with this species the name of my 

 friend and former colleague, Dr. J. B. Cleland. We have 

 already described two forms of larval filariae (Cleland 

 and Johnston, 1910, p. 107), found in the blood of this host 

 in N.S. Wales, but Dr. Bancroft (1889, p. 61), had already 

 recorded the occurrence of larvae in specimens taken in 

 Queensland. Simultaneously with ourselves, Drs. 

 Gilruth, Sweet and Dodd (1910, p. 236) described several 

 different forms under the name, Microfilaria gymnorhincB. 

 It is inadvisable to confer specific names on larval filarial 

 forms since it is not always an easy matter to associate 

 a larva with the adult form ; hence confusion in nomen- 

 clature is more Ukely. As the specific name given includes 

 more than one form, there need be no hesitation in naming 

 the adult male which has been briefly described above. 



Plimmer (1912, p. 138) also mentions finding embryos 

 in this host, his birds having died in the London Zoological 

 Oardens. 



