CESTODE PARASITES. 265 



The anterior of the ripe proglottides show very httle sti-ucture, except a large mass of somewhat 

 large eggs on each side, with a dark space between the two masses and another on the sides, which 

 latter is succeeded by a clear space which surrounds all the internal organs. A clear oblong space — ^the 

 cirrhus pouch — can be seen to run from the genital pore into the centre of each proglottid. Another 

 smaller clear patch is situated in the posterior extremity of the ripe proglottides, which probably 

 represents the uterus. The parenchyma of the entu-e worm is very loose. 



This specimen appears to be near to Anthobothrium mnsteli, Van Benedon, but the lack of accessory 

 suckers, and the continuous thickening of the runs of the bothridia in our species, to say nothing about 

 the great difference in size, warrants its separation. 



The bothridia are almost similar in shai)e to those of Anthobotliriwm riujosum, figured by Shipley 

 and Hornell (20), and Anthobothrium laciniatum, var. brevicolle, figured by Linton (11). Our species 

 differ from the former in the bothridia being only one-sixth the size and in the general features. It differs 

 from the latter in the absence of lacinise on the posterior edges of the proglottides. 



Diagnosis. — Head with four deeply concave, unilocular bothridia, with thickened rims, of varying 

 form in the contracted state. Bothridia supported peltately by weU-marked pedicels. No accessory 

 suckers or myzorhynchus. Neck long, fine, and apparently cylindrical, with its cuticle transversely 

 wrinkled, posteriorly merging suddenly into the strobila. 



Phst proglottides almost square, posterior ones elongated. Ripe proglottides with sides sUghtly 

 convex ; anterior ones with straight, almost parallel sides. Proglottides few in number, averaging twelve 

 or thu'teen. 



Genital pores lateral in the majority of specimens, and all on one side, some specimens having one 

 or two alternate, situated in anterior thu'd of each proglottid. 



Ovaries large, occupying the greater part of the ripe proglottides. Uterus small, situated 

 posteriorly. Chrhus jpouch visible as a clear space running from tlie genital pore into the centre of 

 each proglottid. 



Habitat. — A single sj)ecimen of this species was taken from a specimen of Carcharias blee.keri, Day, 

 caught by line on November 15, 1910, and seventeen specimens were obtained from a small Carcharias , sp. , 

 trawled on the Periya Paar Karai on the 27th of the same month. 



Anthobothrium ceylonicvm, n. sp. (Plate II., Fig. 15.) 



The head consists of four simple boat-shaped bothridia borne on short pedicels. . The margins of 

 the bothridia are thickened and crenulate, but there are neither marginal nor transverse loculi. In 

 preserved specimens the breadth of the head is 1 mm. There is no myzorhynchus or accessory suckers. 

 The neck is very short, and about equal in length to that of the head. The fii'st segments are much 

 broader than long, but tlxey soon become square, and then much longer than broad. Tlie termmal 

 segment measures 1 • 8 mm. long and • 5 mm. broad. About sixty segments were counted ui the mature 

 worm. The enthe worm measures 25 mm. , and the anterior part is narrow and attenuated. The posterior 

 extremity has a tendency to become curled. The genital apertures in tlie adult are enormous, and are 

 lateral and irregularly alternate. 



Habitat. — The sphal valve of Trygon kuhli. Eighty-six specimens. February 2, 1911. 



According to Linton the genus Anthobothrium differs from the genus Spongidbothrvum in havuig 

 no marginal loculi round the bothridia. In our specimens the edges are merelj' frilled , but no loculi are 

 present : they are accordingly referred to the genus Anthobothrium. Of this genus eight species are known , 

 viz., Anthobothrium cornucopia, Van Ben., Anthobothrium elegantissimum, Lonnbg., Anthobothrium 

 giganteum, Van Ben., Anthobothrium mustcli, Linton, Anthobothrium perfeclum, Van Ben., Anthobothri%im 

 pulvinatum, Linton, Anthobothrium crisjmm, Shipley and Hornell, and Anthobothrium rugositm, Shipley 

 and Hornell. The present Report adds two new species, viz., Anthobothrium floraformis and Anthoboth- 

 rium ceylonicum. 

 57-11 



