CESTODA 



The principal evidence demonstrating the occurrence of the 

 larval representative of this species (Oysticercus tenuicollis) in 

 man, rests upon the two cases recorded in Schleissner's ' Noso- 

 graphy' of Iceland. One of the alleged instances, however, has 

 been proved by Kiichenmeister and Krabbe to be that of an 

 echinococcus ; so that, after all, there only remains the solitary 

 case observed by Schleissner himself, in which the parasite can 

 fairly be considered as the " slender-necked hydatid." 



To the above, however, may probably be added a specimen 

 preserved in the Anatomical Collection at King's College, London. 

 It was found connected with an ovarian cyst. 



Tfenia elliptica, Batsch. This parasite is readily recognised 

 not merely by its delicate form and small size, but also by the 

 circumstance of its supporting two sets of reproductive organs 

 in each mature joint. Their outlets are situated at the centre 

 of the margin of each segment, one on either side. Ordinarily 

 infesting the cat, this worm is a mere variety of the common 

 Tania cucumerina of the dog. At all events, from the evidence 

 put forth by Eschricht, seconded by Leuckart, there is every 

 reason for believing that one or other of these closely-allied 

 varieties is liable to infest the human body. It was originally 

 stated by Eschricht that he had received a Tcenia canina which 

 had been passed by a negro slave at St Thomas, Antilles. This 

 is a synonym of T. elliptica, which must therefore be very rare 

 in the human body, possibly only occurring in the negro race. 



In regard to the source of this parasite, it has been shown 

 by Melnikow that the scolex of Tania cucumerina resides in 

 the louse of the dog (Trichodectes latus], and thus it is 

 exceedingly probable that the scolex of Tcenia elliptica resides 

 in the louse of the cat (Trich. subro stratus) . How man becomes 

 infested is not so clear. Melnikow's paper on the juvenile state 

 of this cestode is contained in the ' Archiv fur Naturgeschichte' 

 for 1869, and is illustrated by a figure of the measle. 



Tcenia flavopuncta, Weinland. Regarded as a new species, 

 the discovery of this little tapeworm is due to the investigations 

 of Weinland. In Dr Jackson's ' Catalogue of the Boston 

 Medical Improvement Society' an account of the contents of a 

 phial is recorded as follows : " Specimen of Bothriocephalus, 

 three feet in length, and from half a line to one line and a 

 quarter in width, from an infant. The joints are very regular, 

 except at one extremity, where they approach the triangular 

 form, are very delicate, and but slightly connected, as shown in 



