genus 



98 PARASITOLOGY. 



animals, principally the young. 



Under the family Ascaridae is placed the 

 Ascaris. They are not blood suckers. 

 AscARis Megalocephala (Megalo — large ; Cephale — head) . 



Synonym. — Ascaris Equorum. 



Distribiitio?i. — Widely distributed ; common in the 

 United States. 



Description. — This is the largest species of the 

 family Ascaridae. The body is as large in calibre as 

 a lead pencil; its color is a yellowish white and it is 

 marked with transverse ridges; the head is distinct 

 and is provided with three lips ; the tail of the male 

 is straight and it is provided with small lateral mem- 

 branous wings and 80 to 100 papillae. In the female 

 the vulva is located in the anterior one-fourth of the 

 body. The male measures eight to ten inches ; the 

 female ten to twelve inches ; the female is ovipa- 

 rous ^«,».mrnnr;m,^ Aitimals hitcsted. — 



The horse, the ass and 

 the mule. 



Parts Infested. — The 

 small intestines. 



Symptoms. — They are 

 found free in the small 

 intestines and consume 

 food taken in by the 

 host and digested ; thus 

 they rob the host of its 

 nutrients. By their 

 (K presence they may cause 

 various troubles of di- 



34.-ASCARIS Megalocephala (a gestion : they may caUSe 



young one). a Catarrhal couditiou of 



the small intestines, and 

 the irritation may be 



Fig: 



a, Head, Showing Three Lips. 



b, Caudal Extremity. 



