CETACEA 427 



others remain to be mentioned. Thus, the Peritrachelius insignis 

 of Diesing was obtained by Natterer from the stomach of 

 Delphinus amazonicus (Spix and Martius). The largest males 

 measured 3^" and the females 5^". 



Another singular parasite, named by its discoverer, Roussel 

 de Vauzeme, Odontobius ceti, was found by him in the mucus 

 covering the bristles (fanons) of Balaena australis. The 

 separate worms measured about J' in length only, but they 

 occurred in very great numbers. Lastly, Van Beneden points 

 to certain filiform worms found by Pallas in the cavity of the 

 ear of Beluga leucas as probably representing another distinct 

 species of nematode, which he designates Strongylus Pallasii. 

 I suspect, however, they will only have been fine specimens of 

 Prosthecosacter minor. Be that as it may, it is as well to be 

 reminded that Albers and Mehlis, and also Klein, Camper, and 

 Rosenthal, found P. minor within the tympanic cavity of the 

 common porpoise. When looking into the Museum stores of 

 the Koyal College of Surgeons, I found many choice examples 

 of the genus Prosthecosacter. Some few were evidently Hun- 

 terian, but others had been separately contributed by Professors 

 Owen and Quekett. 



The acanthocephalous entozoa are well represented in whales. 

 One of the commonest species is Echinorhynchus porrigens, of 

 which I possess specimens given me by Prof. Goodsir, who 

 procured them from a Baltenoptera rostrata } captured in the 

 Firth of Forth. The Hunterian Collection contains examples 

 of this worm, recorded as having been obtained from Balaena 

 mysticetus ; and also several Echinorhynchi from the pike- whale. 

 Professor Owen regards these last-named entozoa as distinct 

 (E. balanocephalus, Owen). Probably Hunter's whale-worms, 

 which resembled E. fillicollis of the eider duck, and which Van 

 Beneden has characterised as representing a distinct species 

 (E. mysticeti), were examples of E. porrigens. The specimens 

 set up by me for the Museum of the Koyal College of Surgeons 

 were all of Hunterian origin. The whole subject of cetacean 

 Echinorhynchi requires revision, and would well repay special 

 investigation. The small, oval-shaped entozoa found by Murie 

 in a whale which Van Beneden refers to Balamoptera musculus 

 were probably examples of a distinct species of this genus (E. 

 Muriei). The Vienna helminthologist has described a small 

 species (E. turbinella) obtained by Hyrtl from Hyperoodon 

 The male worms measured \" in length. Another 



