21 
Cuticle. — The cuticle is about 32 thick on the anterior portion, 
48 M on the tail, and when focused sharply is seen to be composed of 
several concentric layers ; this point is brought out clearly at the ends 
of the fragments and on transverse section. Sharp focus at high 
power shows in addition the distinct presence of a diagonal fiber 
system, such as is, found in the 2fermlthidx^ and such as was clearly 
seen by Leidy and figured in his original publication. 
Head. — The cephalic extremity is distinctly attenuated, as observed 
by Leidy, and then ends rather bluntly. The terminal mouth is very 
small, and without lips. Directly back of the mouth there are six 
papillae, which can still be observed more or less distinctly. The 
presence of these papillae definitely excludes the worm from the 
Gordiidde. Unfortunately it is impossible to roll the head, as it is 
somewhat compressed, apparently dorsoventrally. Two of the 
papillae seem, however, to be anterior of the other four; it seems 
l^robable. therefore, that the former are lateral; the latter the sub- 
median papillae. 
About 442 /X back of the mouth a structure was seen which bore 
some resemblance to an excretory pore with canal. If, however, the 
position of the papillae is correctly interpreted, this excretorylike 
structure would be lateral, hence this can hardly be the excretory pore, 
but is more probably an artifact. 
Tail . — The tail is curved ventrally and is bluntly rounded. Xo 
anus was discernible. In the body could be seen a dark cecal structure. 
Caudal papillae were not observed. It would appear, accordingly, 
that the specimen is either a female or that it is immature. 
Esophagus. — In describing the intestine Leidy says : “ Pharynx 
cylindrical and opening into a straight cylindrical intestine, appar- 
ently ending in a blind pouch.” This description immediately sug- 
gests the 2Ier7nithidce. The only other group which would seem to 
come into consideration would be Draciinculus.^ which might be con- 
sidered as a possibility on the assumption that the structures were to be 
interpreted similarly to Looss's 1905, fig. 39, p. 183, of Dracunculus 
medinensis. Such interpretation is not in harmony, however, with the 
diagonal fibers of the cuticle. 
From the mouth a distinct cuticular tube, IT.G^u. to 26.4/x in diameter, 
cuticle 8/x, lumen 9 to 10.4/x, can be traced for some little distance; 
this tube evidently represents the cuticular lining of the esophagus, 
and it is surrounded by a somewhat indistinct body, evidently the 
esophagus, about 130/x in diameter. 
At a point 0.88 mm. from the anterior extremity there is seen at one 
side of the esophageal cuticular lining a blind sack, directed cephalad, 
and apparently representing the fat body reported for the Mer- 
rn ithidse. 
