296 DR. BAIED ON SPIROPTEEA SANQ-UINOLENTA. 



over a long period of time. To do justice to the subject, one must 

 not only be acquainted with the commoner forms of entozoa, but 

 also, to some extent, with the rarer. The experimental method 

 enables us to determine the origin and course of development of 

 many forms, and helps us to discriminate between the harmless 

 and baneful species. Systematic zoology, apart from its own 

 abstractedly scientific value, is of great assistance in aiding our 

 arrangement of the facts in a methodical and easily understood 

 manner. A consideration of all the known facts relating to any 

 one particular entozoon often permits us to state precisely to 

 what extent the species is injurious to the human race as well as 

 to the particular intermediary bearer. "We are also frequently in 

 a position to point out what circumstances are sure to increase, 

 or, on the other hand, to decrease, the prevalence of any particular 

 species. We can even go further than that, and show how certain 

 forms may be entirely eradicated. At all events, we have it in 

 our power both to dimiuish the number of human sufferers from 

 entozootics, and to check, if not entirely to prevent, the invasion 

 of these endemics. Substantial results of this kind being patent 

 to all intelligent people, we can afford to disregard the policy of 

 the ignorant who deride our labours. From researches such 

 as these, the Linnean Society cannot legitimately withold its 

 sympathy, since a recognized department of natural-history 

 science is thus made practically subservient to the public welfare. 

 In the present case, moreover, this communication, though differ- 

 ing somewhat from the ordinary character of its received con- 

 tributions, is, after all, only a continuation of my other papers 

 which have already been honoured with the Society's approval. 



Note on the " Spiroptera sanffuinolenta" of E-udolphi, a Parasite 

 found in the Heart of Dogs in China. By W. Baird, M.B., 

 F.L.S. "With an Account of the Occurrence of these Worms 

 at Shanghai, by J. Lamprey, M.D., 67th Eegiment. 



[Read May 2, 1867.] 



At the conclusion of Dr. Cobbold's paper on the Entozoa of the 

 dog, read on the 18th of April, Dr. Lamprey called the attention 

 of the Society to the fact that the dogs of China, both native 

 and European, were- peculiarly liable to the attack of a species 

 of Entozoa, lodging in the heart. This worm has been referred 



