115 



A specimen taken 4th June, 1909, measures 202 cm. (after fixing in 

 sublimate), it contains mature oncosphaeres. The total length must, 

 therefore, vary from 2 — 3 m. 



As to the breadth, this varies very considerably according to the 

 state of contraction ; the greatest breadth is usually, but not always, 

 attained close to the scolex. One specimen measured 2-8 mm. at 10 cm. 

 from scolex, 3-2 mm. at 20 cm. from scolex. Another measured 2-5 mm. 

 directly behind the scolex (normal value), but at 2 cm. from scolex fell 

 off to 0"5 mm. 



The posterior portion is always very narrow and thick, almost round 

 in section, measuring at the most 1 mm. broad. Anteriorly the segments 

 are always much broader than thick. All segments are much broader 

 than long, the ratio of breadth to length varying very considerably accord- 

 ing to contraction ; at normal contraction, sections passing vertically to 

 the long axis in the posterior half of the stobila will almost always pass 

 through genitalia belonging to more than one segment, the anterior and 

 posterior surfaces of each maturing segment not being flat, but having 

 projections caused by the bullcy female organs, or indentations caused by 

 those of the preceding or following segments. The scolex measures, 

 according to Perroncito, 2 mm., Neumann gives the measurements as 

 1-5 — 2 mm. ; there are some discrepancies in the literature concerning the 

 scolex. 



Neumann figures it with large cylindrical suckers directed, parallel to 

 each other, anteriorly ; Tempere follows Neumann and copies his figure, as 

 does Railliet. 



Stiles states that the scolex in his possession has its suckers situated 

 at its four corners and that they are directed diagonally forwards. 



I have had the opportunity of examining several scolices, over twenty, 

 and in every case they agree with Stiles' description (Fig. 1). Sections 

 also show the suckers to be directed outwards and forwards. 



The size of the scolex also varies fairly considerably ; five specimens 

 were measured : — 



Length. Breadth. 



a. 1-5 mm. 2-3 mm. 



h. 3-1 mm. 2-8 mm. 



c. 1-8 mm. 24 mm. 



d. 1-5 mm. 2-0 mm. 



e. 1-8 mm. 1-5 mm. 



Specimen h was the largest, e one of the smallest I have seen. 



The segments are hardly distinguishable by the naked eye ; in several 

 specimens in which segmentation was apparently visible magnification 

 proved that what appeared at first sight to be segments was in reality 

 caused by the grouping together of four, five, or more segments, due to 

 contraction, 



