484 REPORT OF THE HARVARD AFRICAN EXPEDITION 
The spicules are very dissimilar. The left spicule, measuring 2.51 mm. in length, 
is filiform and about 8u wide. Its proximal end is slightly swollen to form a 
knobbed head; distally it tapers through a distance of 20u to terminate in an 
acute filamentous point. The right spicule is a massive strongly cuticularized 
structure, measuring 0.47 mm. in length by 43u in width near its middle. It is 
arcuate in shape, and on its concave surface is provided with a groove in which the 
left spicule glides. The proximal part of the spicule is swollen into a double 
knobbed head, 57u wide, resembling in shape the head of the human humerus. 
The sheath of the large spicule is so dense in the specimens available that it 
simulates a gubernaculum in appearance. Such a structure is, however, absent. 
The spicules were partially protruded in the five males. An interesting peculiarity 
of the left spicule is its brittleness; when protruded from the body, manipulation 
of the specimen may result in this spicule being broken. Such an occurrence may 
occasion inaccurate descriptions and measurements of spicules with consequent 
confusion on this point. Three pairs of preanal caudal papillae are fairly easily 
seen but in some specimens the presence of an additional pair is indicated 
but cannot be resolved with certainty. A small adanal papilla (? paired) is 
visible, and two pairs of larger postanal papillae are present. (No. 399, Fig. 6). 
Host. Elanus caeruleus. 
Location. Orbital cavity (? behind nictitating membrane). 
Locality. Gbanga, Liberia. 
Despite the absence of females from the collection, it is possible to identify 
the material described above. Reference to the analytical key to the species of 
the genus given by Cram (1927) ! and to the description of the species reported 
as distinct, shows that it is new. The name Oxyspirura elani is proposed for its 
reception. Apparently the only species of Oxyspirura previously recorded from 
Africa (Congo) was O. mansoni (fide Cram). The present species, although re- 
sembling O. mansoni in many respects, differs from it in having a coarsely striated 
cuticle, a different arrangement of the cephalic papillae, and in the relative sizes 
of its two spicules. A character that appears to be especially distinctive of O. 
elant is its obtusely-knobbed caudal extremity, which is a feature of all five speci- 
mens examined. Additional differences which distinguish O. elani from the 
various other species described may be observed in the size of such structures 
as the buccal capsule, oesophagus, and spicules. The formula of the caudal papil- 
lae, although probably not specifically characteristic, is also found to serve as a 
basis for differentiating O. elani from several of its congeners. 
AGAMOSPIRURA LIBERIAE n. sp. 
Host. Crossarchus obscurus (Mongoose). 
Location. Intestine. 
Locality. Du River, Liberia. 
The material consisted of three tumor-like cysts, 3 mm. to 5 mm. in diameter, 
which had been excised from the intestine. On dissection, a single nematode 
1 Cram, E.: Bird Parasites of the Nematode suborders Strongylata, Ascaridata, and Spirurata. 
Bull. 140. U.S. Nat. Mus., Washington (1927), pp. 1-465. 
