TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 



IN introducing a translation of Kiichenmeister's work on the 

 Parasites affecting Man to the members of the Sydenham Society, 

 I wish to say first a few words on the history of the undertaking ; 

 and, second, to make some remarks on the general scientific theory 

 involved in the history of the creatures treated of in this first 

 volume. In offering to translate the work, I was induced to do 

 so by the interest I took in the subject from a natural history 

 point of view; and as I had not been unused to translation, 

 I hoped to have found time to complete the task myself. I 

 had not got far with my work before I found that it would be 

 utterly impossible for me, without assistance, to accomplish the 

 translation in the time desired by the Council of the Sydenham 

 Society, I therefore secured the services of my friend, Mr. W. S. 

 Dallas, whose acquaintance with the German language, and com- 

 petent knowledge of natural history, rendered him peculiarly 

 qualified to aid me. And I would here express my thanks to 

 that gentleman for his advice and assistance in overcoming the 

 difficulty of translating a large number of new terms into the 

 English language. The work was placed in my hands in March, 

 1856, and by the following December the whole of the first 

 volume, and the greater part of the second were translated, and 

 ready for the press. About this time, the Council of the 

 Sydenham Society were informed by Dr. Kiichenmeister that he 

 was preparing a second German edition, and that he was willing 

 to place his notes and alterations at the disposal of the Society 

 for the use of his translator. This offer was gladly accepted, and 



