INTRODUCTION 



Object of the course — Primarily a study of parasitism from a 

 biological viewpoint. Nowhere more striking illustrations of the 

 adaptation of the organism to its mode of life, or more wonderful 

 life histories. Such studies must underlie rational methods of 

 control. 



Species of economic importance will be discussed when they serve 

 equally well as others for illustrating the points under considera- 

 tion. Often a species of no apparent economic importance will 

 be selected because its life history or habits may best aid in an 

 understanding of those of more complicated forms. 



The relation of parasites to disease an important phase of the 

 subject which can only be touched upon here. The pathology and 

 therapeutics of parasitism are subjects of other courses and only 

 incidentally discussed here. So also the wide series of plant para- 

 sites, including the bacteria, is omitted, though it includes some of 

 the most important forms. 



The more important text-books and special articles — These 

 will be listed in the bibliography alphabetically, according to author. 

 In the text, special references will be to author and date of publica- 

 tion and the full reference can be found by turning to the bibliog- 

 raphy. Though the list is far from complete, it may be supple- 

 mented by the bibliographies in most of the articles included, and 

 by special lists, such as the "Index Catalogue of Medical and Veteri- 

 nary Zoology" by Stiles and Hassall, and the "Zoological Record." 



