HAIR WORM. 



One species only known Description. 



The body of the furia is linear, and of equal 

 thickness throughout. It lias on each side a sin- 

 gle row of close-pressed reflected prickles. 



Of this tribe only one species has hitherto 

 been discovered, which is common in Sweden. 

 It is about half an inch in length, and of a car- 

 nation colour, often black at the apex. It creeps 

 up the stalks of sedge-grass, and shrubs in the 

 marshes, whence it is often carried off by the 

 wind; and if the naked parts of the skin of any 

 person happen to be directly in its course it im- 

 mediately adheres, and buries itself within. The 

 first sensation is said to be like that arising from 

 the prick of a needle ; this is succeeded by a vio- 

 lent itching of the part; soon after acute pain, a 

 red spot and gangrene; at last an inflammatory 

 fever, accompanied with swoonings. In the 

 course of two days, at the farthest, death follows, 

 unless the worm be extraced immediately, which. 

 is very difficult to be done. The Finlanders say, 

 however, that a poultice of curds, or cheese, will 

 allay the pain, and entice the animal out. 



Hair worms ai;e inhabitants chiefly of stagnant 

 waters. Their bodies are round, thread-shaped, 

 equal throughout, and smooth. 



The common hair worm is about the thickness 

 of a horse's hair, and, when full grown, is ten or 

 twelve inches in length. Its skin is somewhat 



o 



glossy, and of a pale yellowish white, except the 

 head and tail, which are black. It is common, 

 in our fresh waters, arid particularly in suck where 



2 u 2 



