28
observed between the appearances of the Filaria Oculi and Filaria Equina are to be explained
by a consideration of the changes through which the immature worm must pass before the
adult stage is reached. The author points out that according to Davaine and his own
investigations the female is only slightly longer than the male; whilst the specimen described
by Rivolta was 50 mm. in length, the male of the Filaria Equina is only two-thirds the length
of the female. The aqueous humour, therefore, affects one more than the other, and is to be
observed that the ovaries are destitute of eggs. The cephalic extremity of the male is better
developed than that of the female. It is further to be observed that although among nematodes
and other worms, the females preponderate as regards both number and size, the specimens of
the Filaria Oculi show an unusual number of males, whereas in the adult worm (Filaria-
Equina) females are numerous and filled with embryos. The aqueous humour, therefore, not
only favors the male, but retards growth of the female ; the embryonic condition of the worm
may account for the condition of the ovaries. "
It would therefore appear from the accounts given by the before-mentioned helmintholo-
gists that only one species of worm was discovered' amongst the specimens forwarded to them
for examination from Madras and Calcutta respectively.
Karnal.
No I. Male.—Length 29.1060 mm. elongated, narrowed towards either extremity,
especially towards the tail. Body pigmented in its whole length. The anterior, 2/3 rds of the
body, is almost of the same diameter, varying between 0.3780 and 0.3760 mm. The
integument is smooth, but the tissues on either side of the intestinal tube run longitudinally
in straight or wavy lines. The mouth is small, guarded by two lips, with externally placed
papillæ. Œsophagus short, not bulbous. Large Intestine straight, one-sixth of body length
contains pigmented brown material. Tail acute, with two long and strong papillæ, .0016
mm. in diameter, situated at the sides, and directed backwards, .0068 mm. from the caudal
extremity. The extreme tip of the tail measures .0016 mm. across.
No. II. Female.—Length 37.400 mm. large, elongated worm, dark in colour, owing
to the presence of pigment, especially along the intestinal tract. Anterior third of body
somewhat expanded. Integument smooth, not transversely striated. The tissues run
longitudinally in straight or wavy lines Mouth small, guarded by two lips and externally
placed papillæ. Œsophagus short, slightly bulbous. Large Intestine straight, one-sixth of
body length filled with brown pigmented material. Tail curved like a button hook, acute
with two long and strong papillæ at the sides, 0.1500 mm. from the caudal extiemity.
Length .0036 and greatest breadth .0020mm. The extreme tip of the tail presents the
appearance of a ball, .0020 mm. in diameter. The geniual tubes contain corpuscles, which
resemble red-blood cells, but they are few in number. No ova are to be observed in the cavity
of the uterus.
No III. Female.—Length 21.307 mm. The anterior half of the body presents a
thread-like form, and, with the exception of the head, is deeply pigmented, almost black in
colour. The posterior half presents a flat appearance, tape-like, and decreasing in diameter to
the caudal extremity. Integument smooth, cuticle poorly marked. Tissues of body run
longitudinally in straight and wavy lines. Mouth small, guarded by two lips and externally
placed papillæ, on each side interval between lips 0.010 mm. Œsophagus short. Large
Intestine straight, contains black pigment; ratio to body length 1 : 3.5 Tail acute, no sub-
terminal papillæ visible. The extreme tip terminates in a semi-circle, 0.0012 mm. in
diameter.
No. IV. Male.—Length 22.396 mm. Body thread like, brownish in colour, slightly
pigmented, narrowed towards either extremity, especially towards the tail. Integument
smooth, not traversely striated, but the tissues run longitudinally. Mouth small, pro-
minent, guarded by two lips, 0 010 mm. interval, no lateral papillæ observable.
Œsophagus short. Large Intestine straight, not bulbous; one-fourth of body contains brown
pigmented material. Tail curved forwards, acute, pre-anal and post-anal papillæ well marked.
Two spicules, one slightly protruded, the other retracted. No subterminal papillæ observable.
No. V. Female.—Length 18 150 mm. Body thread-like, elongated, dark in colour
the anterior 5/6 ths of the body, including the head, is almost black. The tip of the
tail is also loaded with pigment. The body is narrowed towards either extremity, especially
towards the tail. Integument smooth, not traversely striated. Cuticle more developed than
usual about the head, serrated along body in many places. Tissues of the body run longitudi-
nally in wavy lines. Mouth small, centrally placed, guarded by two lips and by two large
papillæ.0132 mm. apart, one on either side of the mouth. Œsophagus short, not
bulbous. Large Intestine straight, one-sixth of body length. Rectum sinous, empty. Sub-
terminal papillæ. Tip of tail 0.0160 mm. diameter, crooked like a button-hook.
No. VI. Male.—Length 22.660 mm. Body thread-like, elongated, brownish in
colour, slightly pigmented, narrowed towards either extremity, especially towards the tail.
Integument for the most part smooth, not transversely striated. Tissues of the body run
longitudinally in parallel or wavy lines. Mouth small, guarded by two lips, 0.012 mm in terval,
and externally by small papillæ 0.016 mm. apart. Œsophagus short. Large Intestine
straight, contains dark, brown, pigmented material. Ratio of large intestine to body length