370 Remarks on Dracunculus. 



and, lastly, the preparation, of microscopic drawings, dissec- 

 tions, and descriptions of all these. I shall be happy to 

 undertake this last duty for those who may not have the re- 

 quisite facilities for performing it themselves. 



Fig. 1, Plate x. The magnified drawing represents the 

 extremity that first presented itself, and which is probably 

 the tail ; the two pointed bodies situated at its termination, are 

 not of course perceptible to the naked eye. The other ex- 

 tremity of the specimen was imperfect, having been broken 

 off. Fig 1 a. natural size of the specimen. 



Fig. 2, another specimen, in which instead of pointed spe- 

 cula? the extremity is convoluted and smooth. The other 

 extremity of the specimen is imperfect, having been broken 

 off. 2 a. natural size. 



Fig. 3, resembles the first, and is furnished with an aper- 

 ture on the side of the head. 



The difference between the first and third figures may be 

 the result of violence used in the extraction of the animals, 

 but I can scarcely conceive that any appliance that could be 

 used could affect a part so minute as not to be preceptible 

 to the naked eye. 



Fig. 4, represents the head and tail, of the only perfect 

 specimen I have seen. The tail, 4 a. is pointed and recurved 

 as usually observed ; 4 c. is the mouth, the head being bent in 

 the specimen as here represented, and the mouth directed 

 upwards and radiated. 



Figs. d. d. The young as seen under the microscope. 



In conclusion, we may remark that cleanliness is the best safe- 

 guard against Dracunculus, and in the treatment of the dis- 

 ease care should be taken not to wound the animal. When 

 this accident has happened, it would be desirable to prevent 

 the lodgement or escape of any of the young. Scalding 

 water would be sufficiently destructive, but when the article 

 on which a lodgement may be suspected is not of much value, 

 the safest precaution would be to burn it. There may be 



