352 PENTASTOMID-^ 



Tcenia echinococcus, V. Sieb. (Larval form: Echinococcus 

 polymorphus. Dies.; E. veterinorum, Rud.) 



This is the most common tape-worm in dogs, and Dr Reakes 

 thinks was probably introduced with the first European dogs brought 

 into the country. It is widely distributed all over the Dominion, 

 and Dr Gilruth considers "that it is almost impossible to find an 

 ox or sheep perfectly free from them." They are also found in horses 

 and in pigs. In stock they are not so dangerous as in man, where 

 their hydatid cysts form a destructive and offensive form of disease. 

 The following figures, shovsdng the extent to which hydatids in 

 human beings occur in New Zealand, during the years 1914 to 1917, 

 have been kindly furnished to me by Mr Malcolm Eraser, Govern- 

 ment Statistician: 



1914 191S 1916 1917 

 Total cases recorded ... 68 90 78 80 



Deaths due to hydatids ... 12 11 17 12 



Tcenia marginata, Batsch. (larva = Cysticercus tenuicollis, Rud.) 



This tape-worm is also common in dogs, and the larval form in 

 cattle, sheep, and, occasionally, in pigs. It has been a very long time 

 in New Zealand, but it does comparatively little harm ; the cysts are 

 usually found in the serous membranes, particularly those covering 

 the intestines. The slender neck enables it to be easily removed. The 

 larvas frequently die when encysted in oxen or sheep, become calcified, 

 and are then occasionally taken for tubercular growths. 



The parasite does not attack human beings. 



Tcenia solium, Rud. (larva = Cysticercus celluloses, Rud.). 

 The Pork Tape-worm 



This cestode, which produces "pig-measles," has never to my 

 knowledge been recorded in its tape-worm form in man in New 

 Zealand, but Colonel Reid reports the cystic form as occurring in pigs. 



Tcenia ccenurus, Kiirch. (larva = Ccenurus cerebralis, Rud.) 



This tape-worm occurs in the dog, but its cystic stage develops 

 in the brain-cavity of the sheep, producing the disease known as 

 " Gid " in England, and " sturdy " in Scotland. It is not very common, 

 but some cases were recorded from Christchurch and Wellington 

 in 1897, and again in 1901-12. It also occurs in cattle. 



Tcenia serialis, Baillet (larva = Ccenurus serialis, Gervais) 



Colonel Reid reports this tape-worm as occurring in dogs. It is 

 closely related to the preceding species. The cystic form occurs in 



