PARASITOLOGY. 137 



psoae muscles and lymph glands in various parts of 

 the abdominal cavity ; they have also been observed 

 in the liver ; thus multiple abscesses are sometimes 

 observed in advanced cases. 



Syngamus Trachealis (Syn — with; Trachea.) 

 (Gamus — Marriage) . 



Synonyms. — Gap worm. Sclerostoma Trachealis. 

 The syngamus bronchialis is found in palmipeds. 



Distribittion. — Found widely distributed through- 

 out the United States. 



Description. — The head is provided with capsule- 

 like rings in the center of which are placed six lancet- 

 like teeth; the male is small, only one-fourth to one- 

 third of an inch in length, and is provided with a 

 caudal pouch; the female is about one inch in length; 

 the tail teminates in a blunt point ; the vulva is 

 located in the anterior third; the male clasps the 

 female firmly during the act of copulation and does 

 not release its hold even after it is removed from 

 the host ; this gives the specimen a forked appear- 

 ance ; the small one the male, the large one the 

 female. 



Life Cycle. — Upon death and decomposition of the 

 gap worm the ova are liberated in water or moist 

 places, and the embryos develop into minute hair-like 

 worms. The bird becomes infested through the food 

 or water. It has also been claimed that earth worms 

 act as an intermediate host. The larva migrate 

 through the abdommal air sacs to the bronchi, where 

 they develop to full size. 



