ENTOMOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS -NO. IV, 



BY J. A. LINTNEK. 



I. ON MERMIS ACUMINATA RUDOLPHI. 



A PARASITE OF THE LARVA OF CARPOCAPSA POMONELLA. 



In April, 1875, an example of this entozoan was received at 

 the State Museum of Natural History, from the Hon. Joseph 

 D. Friend, of Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y., with the re 

 quest for information in relation to it. Its examination, in 

 connection with the circumstances under which it was found, 

 proved it to be of so much general interest, that the following 

 reply was made to him, through the columns of the Albany 

 Evening Times, of April 12th : 



DEAR SIR : The new apple-worm which you submitted 

 to us a few days since as having been found in a few instances 

 in Orange county, N. Y., during the present season, coiled 

 about the heart of the apple, bore so strong a resemblance to 

 the Gordius, or &quot; hair-worm &quot; as it is ordinarily called, that 

 on its presentation by you I unhesitatingly (but erroneously) 

 referred it to that genus. The brief notice of the new worm, 

 which has appeared in some of our journals, has excited no 

 little apprehension, lest so diminutive a creature, the diameter 

 of a horse-hair, five inches in length, and of the color of the 

 apple pulp might be introduced in its living state unnoticed 

 into the stomach, and continue its existence as an internal 

 parasite within some of the organs of the body. 



The Gordius is not an uncommon animal. Under its popu 

 lar name of hair-wornr-or hair- snake (either appellation being 



