LOA 409 



length and had two spicules, which Treutler mistook for mouth hooks, 

 hence the name Hamularia. Blanchard mentions another case from 

 Geneva, Brera a third and v. Linstow a fourth. As shown by the 

 synonyms, a few authors consider this form to be a distinct species, 

 which is hardly probable. 



Genus. Loa, Stiles, 1905. 



Characterized by the possession of cuticular bosses in both sexes 

 (fig. 294). 



Loa loa, Guyot, 1778. 



Syn. : Filaria oculi, Gerv. et v. Ben., 1859; Dracunculus oculi, Diesing, 1860; 

 Dracunculus loa, Cobbold, 1864 ; Filaria subconjunctivalis, Guyon, 1864. 



The male measures 25 to 35 mm. in length, and 0*3 to 0*4 mm. in 

 breadth ; the cuticle is not striated, but, with the exception of the 

 anterior and posterior extremities (1*5 mm.), is beset with numerous 

 irregularly distributed bosses (4 //, to 12 //, high by 12 p to 27 //, 

 broad). The anterior extremity is somewhat attenuated, and in front 

 is conical and transversely truncated. At the anterior limit of the 

 conical part is a small papilla corresponding with the dorsal and ventral 

 median lines, and a little in front six non-projecting sensory papillae 

 (two lateral, four sub-median). Excretory pore 0*65 mm. from the 

 anterior end. The posterior extremity is attenuated and somewhat 

 curved ventrally ; the anus is 0*082 mm. distant from the rounded 

 posterior border. In front of the anus on each side are three globular 

 and pedunculated papillae of different sizes, set close one behind the 

 other but asymmetrically ; behind the anus on either side are two 

 smaller papillae of a different shape ; the anterior one resembles 

 the pre-anal papillae in form, but is smaller ; the posterior one is 

 conical, and rests with a broad base on the cuticle. The spicules 

 are 0*113 and 0*176 mm. long. 



The female measures 45 to 63 mm. in length by 0*5 mm. in 

 breadth. It is also beset with irregularly distributed bosses, which in 

 places lie close to each other, and extend to the anterior extremity ; 

 posteriorly they become less frequent, but are not entirely absent. 

 The anterior extremity is conical, the posterior one straight, attenuated, 

 rounded off, 0-17 mm. from the anus. The uteri contain eggs in the 

 most various stages of development, as well as hatched-out larvae, 

 253 p to 262 //, in length and 47 JJL to 5 //, in breadth. The vulva lies 

 about 2 mm. from the head end. The vagina, 9 mm. long, divides 

 into two branches, which at first run posteriorly and parallel to one 



