58 MEMOIR OF CAMPER. 



a great cluster of many millions of these worms, 

 which obstructed the wind-pipe, and had choked 

 the animal. In all that died from the disease, the 

 cellular membrane of the lungs was filled with the 

 worms, while the air-cells were free. Examined 

 through the microscope, the worms were found point- 

 ed at head and tail, and about one- sixth of an inch 

 in width ; they were also discovered to be viviparous. 

 I have made extensive, though fruitless researches, 

 to find any account of this disease in authors, or any 

 description of the worms in the works of naturalists. 

 Klien, Linnseus, Pallas, and Muller, and all those 

 who write particularly on worms, have confounded 

 them with the Vena medinensis. The appellation 

 gordius has been given to a filiform worm, but in 

 comparing it with this pulmonary one, it is evidently 

 distinct. It is singular that Gesner has given to a 

 worm somewhat similar, the name of Wasser-kalb, 

 at the same time observing, that he does not know 

 its origin. He, however, likewise knew that the 

 calves sometimes swallowed them with the water 

 which they drank, and at the great peril of their 

 lives. Gesner, therefore, knew that there were 

 worms which induced a disease in calves which was 

 frequently mortal." The celebrated M. Goese, in 

 his admirable essay, Hist. Nat. des Vers Intestin. 

 des Animaux, written several years afterwards, de- 

 nominated this species Les Vers de Camper. 



" I lost no time," he continues, " in stating in the 

 public papers a discovery so important for the coun- 



