1922.] H. A. Baylis and R. Daubnby : Parasitic Nematodes. 269 



Ascaris, sp. (?) 



A single immature specimen, about 14 mm. in length, from Varanus salvator. 

 We are unable to assign this definitely to any species. 



Genus Belascaris, Leiper, 1907. 



Belascaris mystax (Zeder, 1800). 



This species occurs in the collection from the following hosts : — 

 Domestic cat. 

 Siamese domestic cat. 

 Tiger {Felis tigris). 

 Leopard (Felis pardus). 

 Jungle cat (Felis chaus). 

 Leopard cat (Felis bengalensis) . 

 Fishing cat (Felis viverrina). 



Belascaris marginata (Rud., 1802). 



In addition to a single female of this species from a jackal and some doubtful 

 specimens, in very poor condition, from an Indian wolf (Canis pallipes), the collec- 

 tion contains a number of Ascarids from the stomach, and intestine of an Indian fox 

 (Vulpes bengalensis). After comparison with material from the domesticated dog, 

 we conclude that these worms from the fox belong to the same species (B. marginata). 

 It may be mentioned in this connection that Riley (1921) states that this species fre- 

 quently occurs in foxes farmed for commercial purposes in Canada and the United 

 States. At the same time, the Ascaris vulpis of Frölich, 1789 ( = A. triquetra, Schrank, 

 1790), was regarded by Railliet and Henry (1911) as a distinct species of Belascaris, 

 although no satisfactory description of it appears to exist. The only distinctive 

 features of this supposed species mentioned by Railliet and Henry are the greater 

 development of the caudal alae, and the presence of a gutter-like depression of the 

 ventral surface of the tail, in the male. These, as it seems to us, are appearances 

 which might easily be the result of imperfect preservation or extreme contraction, 

 and there appears to be no other ground for accepting Belascaris vulpis as a valid 

 species. 



It is appropriate in this place to refer to two other species recorded from more or less closelv related 

 hosts. Belascaris masculior, Railliet and Henry, 191 1, from the Fennec fox (Megalotis zerda), appears 

 to be a species of smaller average dimensions than B. marginata, but with somewhat longer spicules. 

 There is nothing else in the description by which it can be differentiated. 



B. metis, Gedoelst, 1920, from the badger, attains a very large size, though its spicules are not 

 longer than those of B. marginata. According to Gedoelst's account, there are only three pairs of 

 papillae on the terminal appendage of the tail in the male, instead of the five pairs usual in the genus, 

 and the number of preanal papillae appears to be unusually large. 



