METAMORPHOSES OF THE INTESTINAL WORMS. 467 
exhibited the genital pores situated on tubercles of the true 
taenia serrataP * In the case of the second dog referred to 
by M. Milne-Edwards, in which adult taenia? furnished with 
generative organs were found, M. Valenciennes states, that 
out of the twenty- five specimens of the supposed taenia 
serrata there were only two in which the generative organs 
were developed ; these he admits to have belonged to that 
species, but adds, that as the dog was greatly infested with 
worms of other species, he is by no means convinced that the 
two specimens of taenia serrata furnished with generative 
organs were produced from the cysticerci administered. He 
also remarks, in opposition to the opinion of Van Beneden 
and others, that the cysticerci are the larval forms of taenioid 
worms ; that notwithstanding the abundance of the taenia 
serrata in the intestines of dogs, even in towns, their oppor- 
tunities of devouring the entrails of rabbits, the only situation 
in which the cysticercus pisiformis has been found, are ex- 
ceedingly rare ; whilst, with regard to the cysticercus fasciolaris 
of the rat, which is stated by Kiichenmeister and Siebold to 
give rise to the taenia crassicollis of the cat, he observes that 
the cystic worm in question is of very rare occurrence, 
although the taenia said to be produced from it is to be found 
in almost every cat. — Comptes Rendus , 30th April, 1855, and 
Annals of Natural History. 
DESTRUCTION OE AN ELEPHANT. 
The large elephant, 120 years of age, late the property of Mr. Womb well, 
being incapable of locomotion from diseased feet, the present proprietor gave 
directions for its destruction in the easiest manner possible. Accordingly, 
Mr. E. Price, veterinary surgeon, and Mr. Elewitt, chymist, of Birmingham, 
on Eriday last proceeded to carry his wishes into effect. In ten minutes 
from the application of chloroform the animal became totally insensible ; 
prussic acid was then administered without effect, and two large doses of 
strychnine without producing any perceptible feeling of pain. Not succeeding 
in these endeavours, a continuous application of chloroform was made, in the 
hope that the animal might sink under it, but, after three hours’ perseverance 
in this course, no difference of respiration being observed, the administration 
was stopped, and in one hour and a half all effects of it had passed away. The 
only known means of destruction left were the knife and the bullet. The 
latter was first tried (the animal again being chloroformed) and wounded a 
branch of the carotid artery, from which blood flowed in a tolerably sized 
jet. The opening was then enlarged by a knife, and the artery fully divided. 
In a few minutes the huge animal ceased to live, having died without a 
struggle or evidencing the slightest feeling of pain. 
* It is to be observed, however, that M. Valenciennes does not inform 
us of the length of time over which his experiments extended. 
