THE NEMATOID HiEMATOZOA OF MAN, 255 



microscope, that the description of parental forms cannot at 

 present be so complete as desired. 



The specimens consisted of portions of two worms, male and 

 female (Plate XII, figs, 1 to 4) ; the former, however, had unfortu- 

 nately been torn across at two places, and the terminal ends could 

 not be discovered. Both specimens manifested very lively move- 

 ments, notwithstanding their mangled condition. They were of 

 a white colour, the cuticle was smooth and devoid of transverse 

 markings, except such as were due to the contraction of the sub- 

 jacent muscular walls. 



The fragment of the male specimen which was found measured 

 half an inch in length, and -^-^-^ of an inch ('IJ? mm.) trans- 

 versely ; it was thinner than the female, but of considerably firmer 

 texture — so firm, indeed, that whilst endeavouring to make out 

 its anatomy a considerable portion of it was lost by one of the 

 needles used for dissecting snapping, and carrying a portion of 

 worm along with it. On tearing the helminth across, the severed 

 surface does not present a ragged edge, but an even outline 

 (PI. XII, fig. 4). The male manifested also a great tendency to 

 coil, and it was only with difficulty that it could be separated 

 from the specimen of the female parasite, around a portion of 

 which it had twisted itself. It is unfortunate that its caudal end 

 especially could not be found, as the definite decision of the 

 genus to which it should be referred depends in a great measure 

 on the characters which the posterior end of the male worm 

 presents. The intestinal canal measured ^rsy' ("OoO mm.) 

 across, and the sperm tube tttto" ("016 mm.). 



The caudal end of the female worm also had been severed, and 

 could not be found; this, however, is of less moment. The 

 length of the portion of the helminth secured was 1^ inch, and 

 its greatest width about -^-^ inch. It was packed with ova and 

 embryos in various stages of development ; the latter, especially 

 those of them which were mature, manifested active movements. 

 The head is slightly club-shaped ; the mouth does not manifest 

 any very distinctly marked labial subdivisions, nor are there any 

 chitinous processes evident, either before or after death. The 

 oesophagus is faintly striated, and shades off imperceptibly into 

 the intestinal tube, the latter being filled with moleculo-granular 

 matter. 



The following measurements may be useful to future ob- 

 servers : 



