522 TAFE-WORMS, OR 1JEHIJE. 



species of them. The people of England have the 

 ¥ tenia Solium, or Common Tape-worm, and rarely 

 any other: the inhabitants of Switzerland the 'Taenia 

 lata, &:c. 



These creatures are apparently possessed of few- 

 senses. Nothing resembling brain or nerves has 

 been discovered ; but, as they are highly sensible to 

 stimuli, it is most reasonable to conclude that they 

 have a considerable portion of nervous matter in the 

 composition of their bodies; that is, of such matter 

 as is susceptible of stimuli. Indeed, we can scarcely 

 conceive how any animal can even exist without 

 such matter in its composition. Having no par- 

 ticular organs of sense, the touch is therefore the 

 only evident source of intelligence which they 

 possess. 



The mode of increase or propagation of Taeniae 

 appears to be principally by ova; and there is rea- 

 son to believe that these ova, as well as those of 

 other intestinal worms, are so constructed as not to 

 be easily destroyed. From this circumstance we 

 may suppose them to pass along the circulating 

 vessels of other animals. We cannot easily explain 

 the phenomena of worms being found in the eggs 

 of fowls, and in the intestines of a fcetus before 

 birth, except by supposing their ova to have passed 

 through the circulating vessels of the mother, and 

 been by this means conveyed to the offspring*. 



Carlisle on the Taeniae, Linn. Tran. ii. 24.7. tab. 15. 



