On the Genitalia of (Ancistrocephalus) polypteri. 255 
into the underlying tissue in a species of Centrolophus from 
deep water at the Cape, were found to lead into a, network of 
wide dermal canals, extending over the body, and filled with 
a viscid oily substance. The Cape “ butter-fish ”—Stroma- 
- teus capensis—is highly prized for its fine flavour, while the 
Centrolophus referred to produces some kind of sickness or 
gastric disturbance when eaten—facts which have been noted 
in other members of the Stromateide. 
XXVIII.—A short Description of the Genitalia of (Ancistro- 
cephalus) polypteri, Leydig, 1853. By A.J. Hesse, B.Sc.* 
THe Cestode Aneistrocephalus polyptert parasitic in the 
intestine of Polypterus bichir was found by Dr. Leydig of 
Wiirzberg in 1853. He described the scolex, but, as his 
specimens were either not mature or were the anterior portions 
of the Cestode, he was unable to give an account of the : 
genitalia. No further account has since appeared. This 
description is made from material obtained from Professor 
Leiper’s collection. The material was rather limited and 
preserved in formalin solution. There were present two 
different kinds of worms. ‘T'wo were Cyclophyllids, and the 
rest, consisting of a few pieces of sexually mature proglottides, 
a few knotted seements, and two heads with about 9 to 15 cm. 
of strobila, were used by me to give this description. 
External Appearance. 
The worms showed a dirty white colour in the preserving- 
fluid. As the worms were not complete, a definite length 
cannot be given. 
The scolex was about 1 mm. long and °5 mm. broad. 
Superficially it was club-shaped, with an anterior blunt and 
rounded margin. 
There was present a crown of hooks in the form of four 
radiating groups. These were situated on four weil-marked 
ridges. Each group had six claw-like hooks connected by a 
web-like structure (fig. 1). 
Between the ridges passed down four shallow grooves, 
which are probably sucking-grooves. These were not well 
developed at all. 
* Fyom the Helminthological Department, London School of Tropical 
Medicine. 
