126 THE INTERNAL PAEASITES OP 



and wild animal, is obtained by the cat from eating the 

 livers of rats and mice, in which organ the larvae of the 

 parasite reside in their bladder- worm state (Gysticercus 

 fasciolaris) . 



Of the remaining four tapeworms, the Tcenia lineata is 

 found only in the wild animal, and its distinctiveness as a 

 species is not well established; whilst the Bothriocephalus 

 decipiens is extremely rare, and onlyknown in the house cat. 

 The most common of all the species is the Tcenia ellijptica, 

 which is generally considered to be identical with, or at 

 best a mere variety of, the cucumerine tapeworm of the 

 dog. There can therefore be little question that the louse 

 of the cat plays the part of intermediary bearer, by har- 

 bouring the measle properly belonging to the elliptical 

 variety of tape-worm. 



The only other cestode is the Tcenia litter ata, which is 

 found in Iceland ; but, according to Krabbe, it is not so 

 common in the cat as in the dog. He calls it the Tcenia 

 ■canis lagopodis ; and I may mention that very recently I 

 obtained evidence that this tapeworm is liable to infest 

 the cheetah. I had, however, long previously received 

 the parasite for identification from Professor Murie of 

 Edinburgh — during the period of his official connection 

 with the Zoological Society's Menagerie, Regent's-park. 



The only other internal worms requiring to be noticed 

 are the flukes (Distoma lanceolatum, Amphistoma trunca- 

 tum, and Hemistoma cor datum) , all of which, together 

 with the larval pentastome (Pentastoma denticulatum) , are 

 of comparatively rare occurrence in the feline host. 



The external parasites are not less numerous, as species, 

 than the internal worms ; but the veterinary practitioner 

 is comparatively rarely called upon to treat the disorders 

 occasioned by their presence. 



