_^ THE TAPE WORM. 337 



The body composed of several distinct species. 



of these animals, and even the people of particu- 

 lar countries and climates, to particular species 

 of them. The people of England have the com- 

 mon tape-worm, (taeniae solium) and rarely any 

 other; the inhabitants of Switzerland the tasniaa 

 lata, &c. 



The head of the common tape worm is fur- 

 nished with a mouth, and with an apparatus for 

 giving it a fixed situation. The body is corn- 

 posed of a great number of distinct pieces arti- 

 culated together, each joint having an organ by 

 means of which it attaches itself to the inner 

 coat of the intestine; and as these joints are 

 sometimes exceedingly numerous, so of course 

 will be the different points of attachment. The 

 joints nearest the head are always small, and they 

 become gradually enlarged as they are farther 

 removed from it, except towards the tail, where 

 a few of the last joints become again diminished. 

 The body is terminated by a small semicircular; 

 joint, which has no opening. The external parts 

 are clothed with a fine membrane-like cuticle, 

 immediately under which is a thin layer of fibres, 

 lying parallel to each other, and running in the 

 direction of the length of the animal's body. 

 The head has a rounded opening at its extre- 

 mity, which is considered to be the mouth, 

 This opening is continued by a short duct into 

 two canals, which pass round every joint of the 

 animal's body, and convey the aliment. The 

 head is fixed to its place by means of two small 



. VI. NO. 46. 2 U 



