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Classification of the Ascaridae 
Section II. Forms with six-branched uterus. 
1. Polydelj)Jiis quadricornis (Wedl, 1862). 
Ascaris quadricornis Wedl (1862), p. 469; PI. II, figs. 17-19. 
» >, Stossich (1896), p. 50. 
? Ascaris quadrangular is Schneider (1866), p. 43; Text-fig.; PI. I, fig. 10. 
„ Stossich (1896), p. 25. 
? „ quadrilobata v. Linstow (1908), p. 21; PI. IV, fig. 1. 
Although Wedl expressly states that this species has a four-branched 
uterus, the writer, after examining several sets of specimens which in other 
respects agree very closely with the characters given for A. quadricornis, is 
inclined to believe that the original description, in this particular, is faulty. 
Should this supposition ultimately prove to be incorrect, the form here 
described, which seems to be fairly common in the puff-adder, is probably a 
new species. 
Size of mature specimens very variable. Length, male, up to 130 mm.; 
female, 70-155 mm. Thickness 2-3 mm. Body tapering in front, less so behind. 
Fig 5. Polydelphis quadricornis. Dorsal lip, viewed from the exterior. 
Lips somewhat hexagonal 1 in outline, broader at the base than at the free end. 
Dorsal lip (Fig. 5) with two small simple papillae near the lateral borders; 
ventro-lateral lips each with one large, lozenge-shaped papilla towards the 
ventral side. Pulp of dorsal lip sends out four lobes anteriorly, the outer lobe 
on each side large, the inner smaller. The outer lobes give off a large number 
of radiating processes, the inner lobes only four or five. Pulp of ventro-lateral 
lips asymmetrical, extending further forward laterally than ventrally; 
radiating processes present as in the dorsal lip. Dentigerous ridges marginal, 
with very small teeth. Oesophagus relatively short, about ^ to ~ of the total 
iii _ —O lo 
body-length. Many specimens have a short intestinal caecum running forward 
beside the base of the oesophagus, but this feature is apparently not constant. 
Tail in both sexes very short and rounded, with a small terminal spike. Tail 
of male with slight cuticular alae. Spicules short (about 1*75 mm.). Postanal 
papillae, five pairs—a group of four pairs near the tip of the tail (two lateral 
Wedl s figure of the lip (1862, PI. II, fig. 19) indicates rather a square shape, but this may 
pei haps be due to the fact that, as stated, the lip is drawn from the inner aspect. 
