MYIASIS 21-3 



many larvae which contained bright red blood. In collecting 

 them the natives selected those huts in which the occupants slept 

 on floor mats, saying that where people slept on beds or raised 

 platforms the maggots were not so numerous." In some huts 

 they collected twenty maggots from a small area of the floor. 

 The natives think the maggot can jump some inches from the 

 floor, but no evidence in support of this view has been obtained. 

 Button, Todd and Christy describe the larva, which reaches the 

 length of 15 mm., as follows : 



" It is semi-transparent, of a dirty white colour, acephalous and amphipneuslic. 

 It resembles, when adult, the larva of bot-flies, and consists of eleven very distinct 

 segments. The first or anterior one is divisible, owing to a slight constriction, into 

 two portions, the foremost of which is small, bears the mouth parts, and is capable 

 of protrusion and retraction to a considerable extent. 



" The larva is broadest at the ninth and tenth segments, is roughly ovoid in section, 

 and is distinctly divided. into dorsal and ventral surfaces. At the junction of the two 

 surfaces is a row of irregular protuberances, two or more being placed on each 

 segment. On each protuberance is a small posteriorly directed spine and a small 

 pit. The central part of the ventral surface is flattened, and at the posterior margin 

 of each segment is a set of three foot pads, transversely arranged,- each covered with 

 small spines directed backwards. These aid the larvae in their movements, which are 

 fairly rapid and peculiar, in that the mouth parts are protruded to the utmost and the 

 tentacula fixed, as a purchase, first on one side then on the other, while a wave 

 of contraction runs along the body as each segment is contracted and brought 

 forward. 



" The last segment is larger than any of the others. Its upper surface is flattened 

 and looks backwards and upwards at an angle of about 45° with the longitudinal axis 

 of the larva. This surface is roughly hexagonal and bears anteriorly, one on either 

 side, the posterior spiracles, which are seen with a pocket magnifying glass as three 

 transverse, parallel brown lines. Around this flattened surface, towards its border, 

 are placed groups of rather prominent spines. The ventral surface of the segment is 

 also flattened, and is thrown into folds by muscular contractions. The anus is 

 situated in the anterior portion of this segment in the middle line, and is seen as a 

 longitudinal slit surr6unded by a low ridge. Posterior to it and on either side is a long 

 conspicuous spine. The anterior segment is roughly conical and bears the mouth 

 parts in front. Posteriorly, on the dorsal surface, almost covered by the second 

 segment, two spiracles, one on either side, are seen with a low power as small brown 

 spots. Two black hooks, or tentacula, protrude from the apex of the segment. They 

 are curved towards the ventral surface of the maggot. The apex of each hook is 

 blunt, and its base surrounded by a fleshy ring. Between them is the oral orifice. 

 The tentacular processes are continued for some distance into the body of the maggot 

 as black chitinous structures with expanded bases. There is probably, as is CEstrus 

 ovis, Linn., an articulation between the external and internal chitinous structures, 

 since the arrangement of the mouth parts seems to be the same as in the maggot 

 of that fly. Paired groups of minute spicular teeth are placed around the two 

 tentacula so as to form a sort of cupping instrument. The arrangement of these 

 teeth is as follows : A rather large tubercle is situated on either side of and above the 



