WORMS. 435 



diameters. A well-defined line [g), more slender and opaque than 

 the oviduct, may then be traced, extending from the termination 

 of the oviduct, at the lateral opening, to the middle of the joint, 

 and inclined in a curved or slightly wavy line to near the middle 

 of the posterior margin of the segment, where it terminates in a 

 small oval vesicle. This, as seen by transmitted light, is subtrans- 

 parent in the centre, and opaque at the circumference, indicating 

 its hollow or vesicidar structure. The duct, or ms deferens, con- 

 tains a grumous secretion ; it is slightly dilated just before its 

 termination. In this species, therefore, the ova are impregnated 

 on their passage outward." {Cyclopedia of Anatomy, art. Entozoa.) 

 From this minute description it may be gathered, that the ova are 

 in enormous numbers, each section of the worm being capable of pro- 

 ducing them to an almost indefinite extent ; and as they are passed 

 out of the body with the fceces, it is not surprising that they are 

 readily communicated from one dog to another, as is almost 

 proved to be the case from the fact of their prevalence in cer- 

 tain kennels and absence from others. The injury caused by 

 these worms is twofold, depending partly upon the abstraction 

 of nourishment, which is absorbed by the worm, and partly by 

 the irritation produced by its presence in the intestines ; and 

 hence it is of the utmost importance to get rid of so troublesome 

 a customer. 



The Kidney-worm {Strongyhis girjrts) " inhabits the kidney 

 of the dog, as well as that of the wolf, otter, raccoon, glutton, 

 horse, and bull (see fg. 6). It is generally of a dark blood- 



F F 2 . 



