17 
divide body into cortical and medullary layers; excretory system well de- 
veloped, consisting of larger approximately longitudinal branches, with 
anastomoses. The larvae possess the power of multiplying by transverse 
fission and of forming supernumerary heads which may become independent. 
Adult unknown. 
Habitat. — Encysted in subcutaneous tissue and elsewhere in man. 
Geographical distribution. — Found but twice; once by Ijima in Tokyo, 
Japan ; once by Gates in Manatee, Fla. 
V Whatever results may be obtained from examination of further 
material, which I could not study prior to the meeting of this Derma- 
tological Congress, at the present time I do not feel justified in sepa- 
rating the American form specificall}^ from the Japanese species, 
despite the difference in geographic distribution and the slight dif- 
ference in the calcareous corpuscles. That the adult stage may 
eventually prove the Florida form to represent a distinct species 
seems entirely possible ; in fact, when we consider the seeming isola- 
tion of the two cases this appears probable. At the same time, if it 
should eventually be shown that the infection was contracted from 
eating marine fish, the possibility would not be excluded that the two 
forms are identical, despite the wide difference in locality. In the 
interest of conservatism, accordingly, I classify for the present the 
two in the same species. 
In an earlier paper (1906a, 86) I called attention to the fact that 
because of the remarkable reproduction of the larval stage described 
by Ijima a new genus would probably be justified. I hesitated some- 
what to make the genus without seeing actual specimens. After 
examining the American specimens I am further convinced of the 
probability that the Avorm in question represents a neAv genus. 
The projDOsition of a new generic name at this time presents both 
advantages and disadvantages. To continue to call the worm 
Sparganum shows that the family position is recognized, but that the 
adult is unknown ; the worm is, however, so different from the other 
forms of Sparganum that it seems advisable to bring out this differ- 
ence in a generic name ; further, as long as a neAv generic name seems 
I almost inevitable, it would appear Avise to introduce it as soon as 
possible, in order to reduce its competition (through homonymy) in 
I the future. On the other hand, to introduce a new combination at 
* present does not seem absolutelA^ necessaiw ; its introduction would 
1 destroy the adA'antages Ave haA^e at present in the use of the name 
^Sparganum. 
I There is, I belieAT, a conservatiA e method by which the advantages 
of both plans may be united, namely, by the introduction of a new 
j subgeneric name. This course permits the continuation of the use of 
Dhe name Sparganum^ and at the same time brings out the fact that 
the worm is very different from the other forms of Sparganum; 
