DBAUUNCDLUS MBDlNENSiS. 381 



abruptly in a small tube twisted several times round the intestine, 

 or forming a knotted, glandular-looking mass. Eacli tube is about 

 one inch in length, and the two are in every way alike. In common 

 with other observers," he adds, "I have been unable to discover 

 any vulva or vagina ; but the symmetrical formation of the two 

 extremities of the genital tube leads me to believe that the genital 

 aperture, if it does exist, must be situated a short distance behind 

 the middle of the body; regarding the two terminal tubes as ovaries, 

 and the large sac as a double oviduct or uterus, which by its enor- 

 mous development appears to form one great tube, and which has 

 obliterated the vagina." It is quite clear from this, and from the 

 independent observations of Busk, Carter, and myself, that the 

 young can only make their eventual escape by the breaking up of 

 the parent's body. This was long ago insisted on by Busk, but it is 

 not, therefore, necessary to beheve with Carter, that they escape 

 " through a rupture of the integuments near the mouth," or, indeed, 

 at any other particular spot. In all probability, as also, apparently, 

 obtains in Sclerostoma syngamus, the young escape in consequence 

 of the rupture of the maternal body at any part, either before or 

 after its decomposition, and escape from the " bearer" or " host." 

 Probably, the necessity of observing a rule (respecting the burning 

 of the worms) which I have insisted upon elsewhere has never been 

 thought of, and thus even those who have been instrumental in 

 relieving their fellow-creatures by the ordinary methods of cure, 

 have, by casting aside the adult worms, whole or piecemeal, contri- 

 buted unwittingly to the subsequent propagation of the disease. 

 Finally, as regards the existence of the nervous and water- vascular 

 systems, Bastian speaks somewhat confidently. He speaks of "two 

 delicate gangHonated cords, extending the whole length of the 

 worm, one occupying the centre of each lateral intermuscular space." 

 If these, as I understand him to represent, are distinct from the 

 ordinary hues traversing the centre of the lateral longitudinal space, 

 then I think it must be allowed that he has satisfactorily settled 

 this point ; and I can, therefore, have no hesitation in agreeing with 



