with one of the two diseases which have es- 

 pecially attracted the attention of the Inquiry. 



But besides the large tapeworm (Davainea 

 urogalli), which was described by Baird fifty- 

 seven years ago and the thread or round worm 

 (Trichostrongylus pergracilis), described by Cob- 

 bold thirty-seven years ago, we have two other 

 species of tapeworm, one negligible, the other 

 the transparent tapeworm (Hymenolepis mi- 

 crops], and the last-named seems also to some 

 extent associated with disease. These worms, 

 like the larger species, may exist in incredible 

 numbers in the small intestine ; yet they are 

 quite invisible whilst alive. The contents 

 of the alimentary canal in this region resemble 

 a thick puree, which, on the addition of some 

 fixing reagent, resolves itself into an inextricable 

 tangle of fine threads, each representing a tape- 

 worm. The head of these worms is hidden away 

 in the folds of the lining mucous membrane of 

 the alimentary canal, and undoubtedly they do 

 something to interfere with its continuity. A 

 certain amount of inflammation is set up. 



It is curious to note that this tapeworm 

 disappears during the winter months, a fact 

 which may afford some hint as to its second 

 host. The large tapeworms, on the other hand, 

 remain all the year round and must be of 

 quick growth, for they are found 35cms. in 

 length in a young grouse but three weeks old. 

 Here it may be remarked that, contrary to what 

 is usually believed, the diet of the young bird 

 is almost exclusively an insect one ; it is not 

 till they are three or four weeks old that grouse 

 turn vegetarian. Three other round worms 

 have also been shown to exist in the grouse. 

 One of these in the duodenum may prove of 

 importance. This species (Trichosoma longi- 



