40 
THE GEELONG NATFEALIST. 
not hermaphrodite as with certain other parasites. The one most 
commonly met with in the horse belonging to this class is the 
Ascaris Incalocephala, of which these are an example; areusually 
found in the intestines of the horse in great numbers, although their 
presence very seldom causes any inconvenience. As many as four or 
five hundred is quite a common occurence to be met with on makicg 
2i, post morten. It is said that fully 50 per cent, of our horses are 
infested with this parasite. They obtain their nourishment from the 
ingesta passing through the bowels. How the animal becomes infested 
with them is not positively known, as the full life history of these, as 
well as most Nematodes, has not been clearly demonstrated but it is 
the general opinion that they reach their destination, viz : — intestines 
through the medium of the animal's food. In shape they somewhat 
resemble a common earth worm as they taper toward the extremities 
The worm found in man corresponding in every respect to that 
found in the horse is called 
Ascaris Lumbricoides which measures from six to fourteen inches 
in length. 
Ascaris Mystox term given to one in cats. 
Ascaris Marginata found in the dog. 
Ciestodes or Tape Worms are distinguished mainly by their body 
resembling a tape or band. (Exception-Terchinococcus, of dog.) On 
examination we find the Tape Worm to consist of a number of 
segments. The anterior is designated the head which maintains its 
hold on to the wall of the alimentary canal by four suckers. Each of 
the segments in time separate from the scolex or head by a process of 
budding, and are called the generative segments for reproductive 
purposes. These segments are hermaphodite, and are ultimately 
expelled with the foeces, when they become destroyed, but the eggs 
with their hard shells retain vitality, and under favourable conditions - 
arrive to a mature Tape Worm. 
The horse as a rule harbours three Tape Worms. Taenia Plicata 
Taenia Perfoliata. Taenia Mamillona. 
Taenia Perfoliata is found in the small intestines of the horse 
and generally in enormous numbers. About 25 per cent, of our 
Victorian horses are infested with this parasite. 
Taenia Mamillona is also found in small intestines, it resembles 
in shape somewhat the form of a cow's teat. Hence its name. It 
is also pretty often met with in the horse, but not in large numbers. 
Taenia Marginata found inhabiting intestines of the dog. Is 
found to be very common especially amongst our sheep dogs. (That is 
farm or country dogs). The segments of this worm after being voided 
from the dog are taken into the sj^stem by sheep, etc., grazing from 
pastures where dogs have voided their foeces. The result is that the 
eggs hatch into another cj'stic stage, which selects principally the 
fat surrounding the kidneys in the abdominal cavity known as the 
Cysticercus tennicollis. It is generally pulled out by the butcher, 
tlirown into the nearest corner only to be devoured by the dog, which 
thus becomes infected with this tape worm. 
Trematoda or Fluke variety. The principal parasite belonging 
to this group is that which is commonly known as Fluke, 
technically Distome and Fasciola Hepaticum [Distome Laiiceolatum in 
cattle). 
