FASCIOLA 



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Suborder Fasciolin^ Odhner, 1910. 



Definition. — Fasciolidae with a shoulder separating the head from 

 the body, with a much branched intestine, without a receptaculum 

 seminis. 



Remarks. — This subfamily contains the genus Fasciola, which 

 concerns us. 



Fasciola Linnaeus, 1758. 



Definition. — Large Fascioloidea with leaf-like bodies, with the 

 anterior end shaped into a conical head and with the ventral sucker 

 situated near the mouth. Cuticle covered with spines. 



Type Species. — Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758. 



Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758. 



Synonyms. — -Distomum hepaticum Retz, 1786; Fasciola humana Ginel, 1789; 

 D. cavics Sons, 1890; Cladoccelium hepaticum Stoss, 1892. 



Fig. 213. — 'Egg Fig. 214. — The Fig. 215. — The Fig. 216. — The 

 OF Fasciola he- Miracidium of Larva of Fas- Sporocyst of 

 patica. Fasciola hepa- ciola hepatica. Fasciola hepa- 

 tica. tica. 



(After Thomas, from the Qviavtevly Journal of Microscopical Science.) 



History. — Fasciola hepatica, the liver-fluke, is a parasite of sheep, oxen, 

 goats, horses, and many other herbivorous animals, in Europe, North Africa, 

 North and South America, Australia, Tasmania, Japan, China, Burma, and 

 India. It is said to be extremely common in Burma and Egypt. 



It has been found in man several times, and apparently usually in the 

 liver, but it has been recorded in the bloodvessels, in a swelling on the sole 

 of the foot, in abscesses about the head, and in a swelling in the right hypo- 

 chondriac region. It is probable that Distomum ocvtli humani Ammon, 1833, 

 and Monostomum lentis Von Nordmann, 1832, may have been young liver- 

 flukes. 



Morphology. — Fasciola hepatica is a fiat, oval animal, with an anterior 

 triangular projection. Length, 20 to 30 millimetres; breadth, 8 to 13 milli- 

 metres. The cuticle is covered with minute pointed scales directed backwards . 



