338 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Indian thread worm or Guinea worm. 



tubercles, concave in the middle, that seem to 

 serve the purpose of suckers. The alimentary 

 canal passes along each side of the animal, send- 

 ing a cross canal over the bottom of each joint, 

 \vhich connects the two lateral canals together. 

 The internal structure of the joints is partly celr 

 lular and partly vascular: the substance itself is. 

 white, and in its texture somewhat resembles the 

 coagulated lymph of the human blood. 



The length of this worm is generally from three 

 to thirty feet; but it has been known to reach, 

 sixty feet, and to be composed of several hun- 

 dred joints. 



The body of thread worms is round, thread- 

 shaped, and very smooth. The mouth is dilated., 

 and has a roundish concave lip. 



The Indian thread worm, or Guinea worm, is, 

 common in the East and West Indies. It enters 

 the naked feet of the slaves, and occasions very 

 troublesome itchings, and sometimes excites even, 

 fever and inflammation. It particularly attacks 

 the muscles of the arms and legs, from whence 

 it is only to be extracted by means of a piece of 

 silk or thread tied round its head. But the 

 greatest caution is necessary in this simple opera- 

 tion, lest the animal, by being strained too much, 

 should break ; for, if any part remains under the 

 skin, it grows with redoubled vigour, and be- 

 comes a cruel and sometimes a fatal enemy. 

 This worm is five or six yards long, but no/ 

 thicker than a coarse brown thread. 



