VASCIOLA HEPATICA. 14'9 



of the earlier scientific observers, know very well that these titles 

 are both incorrect and inappropriate. The proper generic appella- 

 tion of this parasite is Fasciola, as first proposed by the illustrious 

 Linneus (1767), and subsequently adopted by F. Miiller (1787),,^ 

 Brera (1811), Ramdohr (1814), and others. Unfortunately, how- 

 ever, Eetzius (1786) and Zeder (1800) changed the generic title 

 without good cause, and the majority of writers, following their 

 authority, obstinately refused to employ the original name, 

 although fair deahng with the posthumous reputation of its distin- 

 guished author, and a consideration of the distinctive types of struc- 

 ture displayed by the two genera [Distoma and Fasciola), alike 

 demand the retention of the Linnean title. In later times, M. 

 BmUe Blanchard (1847) of Paris, has strongly advocated the final 

 adoption of the original nomenclature, and the writer himself has 

 also from time to time (in 1854-56-58-60, and 1862) demonstrated 

 the propriety of rejecting the commonly-received synonyme. An- 

 other distinguished French naturalist, namely, Professor Moqmn- 

 Tandon, has also employed the term Fasciola, but by placing in 

 the genus several species not properly belonging to it, such as Dis- 

 toma lanceolatum and Distoma heterophyes, he bas unwittingly 

 rendered " confusion worse confounded." 



Distribution. — The Fasciola hepatica is not only of frequent occur- 

 rence in all varieties of grazing cattle, but has hkewise been found 

 in the horse and ass by Daubenton ; also in the hare and rabbit by 

 the writer himself and others, in the squirrel by Tozzetti as previ- 

 ously mentioned, in the great kangaroo {Macropus giganteus) by 

 Bremser and Diesing, in various antelopes and deer by Pluskal, 

 etc., and also in the beaver {Castor fiber) by Czermack. Its occur- 

 rence in man has been recorded by Pallas, Bidloo, etc. ; doubtful 

 instances being also given by Mehlis and Duval. More recently, 

 Professor Partridge, of King's College, detected it in the human 

 gall-bladder, particulars of the case being described in the second 

 edition of Dr. Budd's well-known treatise on " Diseases of the 

 Liver." Giesker of Zurich mentions an undoubted example where 



