298 



PARASITES OF ANIMALS 



to Guy's Hospital contains the heart of a bear which is largely 

 infested by Cysticerci. A species of tapeworm has been found 

 in the polar bear. The coati (Nasua narica) is infested by 

 Ascaris brachyoptera in the intestine, by Molin's Physaloptera 

 semilanceolata from the stomach, by Echinorhynchus spirilla, 

 Tania crassipora, and lAgula reptans, the latter occupying the 

 muscles. A second species of Ascaris (A. alienata) is described 

 from Nasua rufa. 



The racoons (Procyon) are infested by a species of pentastome 

 (P. subcylindricum) , and Prof. Leidy has described a threadworm 



(Filaria insignis) obtained from a 

 cyst in the foot. The gluttons 

 (Gulo) are liable to be infested by 

 an Ascaris, a Ligula, and by 

 Eustrongylus gigas. The giant 

 strongyle also infests the coati 

 (Nasua]. The skunk harbors 

 Ttenia crassipora. The Hunterian 

 Museum contains four specimens 

 of Strongylus cruciformis taken 

 from a badger (Meles) . The otters 

 are largely infested by flukes ; 

 Distoma trigonocephalum, D. in- 

 crassatum, and D. rude being found 

 in Lutra vulgaris, L. solitaria, and 

 L. braziliensis, respectively, the 

 FIG. $$. strongyius gigas, coiled within the latter also harboring Hemistoma 



kidney of a coati. After Leuckart. 



clathratum. Otters are likewise 



infested by Ligula and Eustrongyli. The weasels (Mustelida) 

 are attacked by a legion of entozoa, comprising flukes, tape- 

 worms, round worms, and thorn-headed worms ; they are also 

 liable to harbor many ectozoa, a large tick (Ixodes) being 

 especially troublesome. 



Amongst the nematodes is Van Beneden's Filaroidcs musie- 

 larum, for specimens of which I am indebted to Mr Wright 

 Wilson. This is found in the lungs, trachea, and in the 

 frontal and nasal sinuses of the common marten (Mustela foina), 

 in which situations it causes absorption of the cranial bones. 

 This worm occurs also in the polecat (M. putorius), in the 

 common weasel (M. vulgaris), and in the pine-marten (M. 

 martes). The larvae reside in frogs. Weasels are also very 

 liable to have their kidneys invaded by Eustrongylus gigas. A 



