F. J. Meggitt 
391 
I should wish here to express my indebtedness to Professor Gamble 
for the help he has given me during this period, more especially in the 
solution of problems arising from the life-history work. 
With reference to the effect of Cestodes upon their host, very little 
can be added to what has already been published (8). The most 
pronounced symptom has always been the very marked emaciation shown 
by the birds (PI. XXI, figs. 20-22). As a rule, flesh was almost entirely 
absent from the breast and the legs were thin and withered. The skin 
was invariably very dry and scaly, peeling off in large flakes: often 
feathers were absent from the breast, neck, etc. The alimentary canal 
has always been^rather suffused with blood and containing a certain 
amount of mucus, but nothing like the appearances quoted by Stiles (12) 
have been observed. There has never been the least alteration in the 
appetite, neither has there been shown a marked desire for water. 
Altogether, with the exception of the emaciation, the birds seemed 
quite normal. It is very probable however that the retarded growth 
of many pullets and cockerels is due in many cases to infection by 
Cestodes. From an economic point of view this effect is a very serious 
one and deserves to be tested thoroughly. Several cases lately have been 
observed in which the presence of the parasite has seemed to check 
egg-laying, but no definite conclusion has yet been reached. The cause 
of this cessation seemed to be due rather to environmental influences 
than to the parasites. 
Davainea dubius nov. spec. 
From time to time, in examining the intestines of fowls sent to me, 
I have come across small Cestodes which I at first identified as Davainea 
proglottina Davaine. Recently however, the abnormal length of some 
specimens I found in a very badly infected fowl aroused my attention, 
and, examining them closely, I discovered many points of difference 
between them and D. proglottina. Previous specimens preserved and 
identified as the latter species I re-examined and usually found the 
same differences. It therefore seems to me probable, either that two 
species have been confused under the same name or that there are 
serious discrepancies in Davaine’s diagnosis. In either case it appeared 
necessary to compile a short description of the form found. 
Occurrence. Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Shrop¬ 
shire, Gloucestershire and Lincolnshire. 
External Characters. The total length of the new form averages 
3-3 mm. and its greatest width 0-63 mm.; the largest specimens found 
