380 TlMEHRI. 
and helped him to what was supposed to be one of such. 
On cutting into it he had observed imbedded in the 
flesh a soft mass which appeared of enigmatic character. 
The following day he procured from market a drum-fish, 
on the dissection of which he found imbedded in the tail 
several egg-shaped masses, about 3 inches long and less 
than an inch thick, which proved to be a large coiled 
worm (Acanthorhynchus rep tans). This it was that 
gave delicacy to the dainty, and in this instance the 
parasite seems to enhance the excellence of the food. 
At another entertainment nearer home he partook of 
some stewed terrapins. Taking into his mouth what 
appeared to be an egg, it produced such an impression 
as led to its rejection. Seeming so peculiar he tied it in 
the corner of his handkerchief for more convenient 
examination. The specimen, now exhibited, was a 
membranous bag which contained thirty yellowish-white 
maggots from 8 to 22 millim. long, by 1*5 to 3 millim. 
broad. They are the larvae of a bot-fly, and resemble 
those of the Gastrophilus of the horse. Their characters 
are as follows : — Body of the larva fusiform, acute 
anteriorly, obtuse posteriorly, consisting of twelve 
segments, including the head, which is armed with a 
pair of strong, black, hooked maxillae ; terminal segment 
with a pair of trilateral, oval, chitinous disks, each with 
three spiracles ; intermediate segments with numerous 
minute recurved hooklets, disposed in incompletely 
separated bands at the fore and back part of the segment. 
The sac containing the larvae is about three fourths of 
an inch long and half an inch broad, with a short tubular 
prolongation open at the extremity. It was uncertain 
whether the sac formed part of the intestine. 
