SOLIDUNGULA 383 



action of this entozoon. It is reported under the signature 

 of " Argus/' quoted below. 



In this connection I may mention that in 1864 Prof. Axe 

 observed some small worms, scarcely visible to the naked eye, 

 in the mucous membrane of the stomach of a donkey, the same 

 worms being subsequently observed in three other donkeys 

 brought to the dissecting room of the Royal Veterinary College. 

 From the examination of a drawing of one of the male worms, 

 executed by Prof. Simonds, I am led to believe that the 

 parasites are entirely new to science. The hood being well 

 marked there can be no doubt as to the strongyloid affinities 

 of the worm. I therefore propose to call the worm after its 

 discoverer (Strongylus Axei). 



In regard to Sp. microstoma, the males measure up to f", 

 whilst the females have a long diameter of |" or rather more 

 (10'"). The small- mouthed maw-worm lives free in the stomach, 

 and, as Krabbe observes, not unfrequently in very considerable 

 numbers. It does not appear to be capable of injuring the host. 



One of the most interesting equine nematodes is the eye- 

 worm. Most veterinary writers speak of it as the Filaria oculi, 

 but to helminthologists it is better known by the more correct 

 designation, F. papillosa. Though commonly obtained from 

 the eyeball and its tunics, the worm infests various tissues and 

 organs of the body, being found in the thorax, abdomen, mem- 

 branes of the brain, muscles, and cellular tissues. It infests 

 the ass and mule, and also horned ruminants. The males 

 attain a length of three inches and the females seven inches. 

 The head is broad, with a gaping mouth armed with a 

 ring of chitine and two prominent denticles. There are 

 also two papillae on the neck near the middle line, besides 

 sixteen caudal papillae, eight on either side. The tail of the 

 male is spirally twisted, that of the female only slightly curved. 

 Notwithstanding the many opportunities afforded of examining 

 this parasite in the fresh state, very little is known respecting 

 its origin and course of development. Dr Manson, who found 

 that the mouth was armed with a five- or six-toothed oral saw, 

 considers that the eye is not a proper resting place for the 

 parasite, and that when one wandering worm comes across the 

 track of another it follows it up from sexual instinct, and thus 

 several may be found together in one place. The tracks are 

 readily seen by the naked eye. Dr Sonsino speaks of it as a 

 " yellow line." This Italian observer found the worm in twelve 



