Bibliography (No. 42).—Beneden (see Van Beneden).—Cobbold, “On Filaria gracilis and Ascaris cuspidata,” in ‘Zool. Soc. Proc.,’ Feb. 3, 1874, p. 124.—Idem, “List of Entozoa, including Pentastomes, obtained from Animals dying at the Menagerie in 1857–60 inclusive,” ‘Proc. Zool. Soc.,’ 1861.—Idem, ‘Entozoa,’ p. 119.—Idem, “On Parasite-Larvæ (Cœnurus and Echinococcus of the Lemur),” ‘Intell. Observer,’ vol. iii, pp. 86–96.—Idem, “Bilharzia from Cercopithecus,” in ‘Synops. of Distomidæ,’ ‘Proc. Linn. Soc.,’ 1860, Zool. Div., pt. v, p. 31, and in “Parasites from Zool. Gardens.,” in ‘Intell. Obs.,’ June, 1862, p. 352.—Idem, “On Echinorh. elegans,” ‘Proc. Zool. Soc.,’ 1876, in ‘Notes on Entozoa,’ pt. iii, plate xvi, p. 202.—Creplin, “On P. tornatum,” ‘Troschel’s Arch.,’ 1849, s. 54.—Idem, “F. gracilis,” in ‘Wiegm. Arch.,’ 1851, s. 270.—Diesing, ‘Syst.,’ l. c., s. 611, and in ‘Sitzb. d. k. Akad.,’ 1854, s. 598.—Harley, G., in ‘Proc. Zool. Soc.,’ 1857, p. 12.—Leidy, J., “On Pentastoma,” ‘Proc. Phil. Acad. Nat. Sci.,’ 1850, p. 97.—Idem, ‘Hydatids,’ l. c., 1856, p. 46.—Idem, ‘Strong. atten.,’ l. c., p. 54.—Leuckart, ‘Bau und Entwicklungsgeschichte der Pentastomen,’ 1860, “P. polyzonum,” ‘Synops.,’ s. 153.—Molin, “On F. gracilis,” in ‘Sitzungsb. d. k. Akad. d. Wissensch.,’ 1858, Bd. xxviii, s. 376.—Schneider, ‘Monag. der Nem.,’ 1866, “F. gracilis,” s. 87.—Smith, S., “On F. gracilis found in connection with the Great Omentum of a Spider-monkey,” ‘Proc. of Bristol Naturalists’ Soc.,’ vol. i, 1873.—Van Beneden, “Ling. Diesingii,” in ‘Mém. Acad. Belgique,’ vol. xxiii, ‘Recherches sur l’organisation et le dévélopment des Linguatules, suivies de la description d’une espèce nouvelle provenant d’un Mandrill,’ 1849.
Part II (Cheiroptera).
Until lately not very much attention had been paid to the parasites of bats, probably on account of the insignificance of the hosts. However, whilst Dr Dobson has recently been extending the subject of Cheiropterology, Prof. van Beneden has added largely to our knowledge of the parasites of bats. In his beautiful memoir, the Belgian helminthologist asks whether the parasites quit their hosts during the period of hybernation, and then proceeds to answer that question in the negative. Should the bats die, the parasites of necessity share the same fate. It would appear, however, that the spermatozoa of the worms are capable of surviving their parents for a fortnight or even longer. Flukes abound; the most common species (Distoma lima) infesting the pipistrelle, noctule, mouse-colored bat, Natterer’s bat, parti-colored bat, Daubenton’s bat, whiskered bat, and the greater and lesser horseshoe bats. Almost as abundant is the Distoma chilostomum found in most of these bats, and also in Leisler’s or the hairy-armed bat. Dujardin’s D. heteroporum is a synonym of the species. Schreber’s Monostomum is probably identical with Van Beneden’s Distoma ascidia. This fluke he found in Vespertilio marinus, V. dasycnemus, V. Daubentonii, V. emarginatus, V. serotinus, V. mystacinus, V. pipistrellus, V. auritus, and in Rhinolophus hippocrepis. Another species, distinguished from D. ascidia by its large ventral sucker, has been found in great numbers in the noctule (D. ascidioïdes, Van Beneden). The cestodes of bats are not numerous. The best known species (Tænia obtusata) has been found in the serotine, in the mouse-colored bat, and in Vespertilio lasiurus. Another species (T. decipiens) occurs in Molossus perotis, and Chylonycteris rubiginosus, and a scolex, forming the type of a new genus and species (Milina grisea, Van Ben.) has been obtained by hundreds in the intestines of Vesp. murinus and V. serotinus. Of nematodes we have Ophiostomum mucronatum, Rud., and Oph. spinosum, W.-Suhm (from Vespertilio mystacinus)., Trichosomum speciosum, Van Ben., Strongylus tipula, Van Ben., Strongylacantha glycyrrhiza, Van Ben., Litosoma filaria, Van Ben., Ascarops minuta, Van Ben., and one or two sexually-immature forms, either found loose in the tissues or occupying cysts. The Acanthocephala are not known to infest bats. Respecting insects, one family (Nycteribiidæ) is exclusively parasitic upon bats. They resemble the forest-flies in their habits. The best known species is Nycteribia Latreillei, but several others (N. biarticulata and N. Sykesii, Westw.) have been described. One or more of the Brazilian bats are infested by Lipoptena phyllostomatis, Nitsch, and Westwood has obtained several allied forms of Hipposcidæ (of the genus Strebla), also from bats. As regards the true Arachnidans (mites and ticks), Van Beneden enumerates Ixodes lividus, Van Ben., Pteroptus vespertilionis and P. arcuatus, Koch, Otonissus aurantiacus and Cerathophyllus octactenus, both of Kolenati, and Caris elliptica.
Bibliography (No. 43).—Audouin, ‘Ann. des Sci. Nat.,’ xxv.—Beneden, P. J. van, “Les Parasites des Chauves-souris de Belgique,” fr. vol. xl of the ‘Mém. de l’Acad.,’ 1873.—Diesing, ‘Syst. Helm.,’ ii, p. 530.—Dufour, ‘Ann. des Sci. Nat.,’ 1831.—Dujardin, l. c., p. 437.—Kolenati, ‘Die Parasiten der Chiropteren,’ 1857.—Latreille, art. “Nycteribie,” in ‘Nouv. Dict. d’Inst. nat.’—Müller, ‘Zool. Danica,’ ii, p. 43, “Fasciola vesp. (syn. Dist. lima).”—Perty, “Lipoptena,” ‘Del. an. art. Brasil’ (quoted by Westwood).—Rudolphi, ‘Synops.,’ p. 117.—Westwood, “Mém.,” in ‘Zool. Soc. Trans.,’ 1835.—Idem, ‘Modern Classif. of Insects,’ vol. ii, p. 585, 1840.—Willemoes-Suhm, R. V., “Helminthologische Notizen,” iii, ‘Zeitsch. f. wiss. Zool.,’ 1873.
Part III (Insectivora).
The entozoa of insectivorous mammals, though sufficiently numerous, are not important practically. The common hedgehog (Erinaceus europæus) is infested by four flukes (Distoma pusillum, D. trigonocephalum, D. caudatum, D. linguæforme), and also by three thorn-headed worms (Echinorhynchus napæformis, E. amphipachus, and E. major). Two tapeworms are also known (Tænia compacta and T. tripunctata). More attention has been paid to the round worms. A species of strongyle (S. striatus) infests the lungs, the male being readily distinguished by its nearly round hood. A second species of strongyle has been mentioned by Diesing, but it is more than doubtful. The lungs are also infested by a small trichosome (Eucoleus tenuis of Dujardin); another species of the genus (Trich. exiguum) infesting the stomach and small intestine. As the Trichina spiralis has been repeatedly reared by myself and others in the hedgehog, the little flesh-worm must also be noticed in this place. Physaloptera clausa occupies the stomach, and a minute Ascaris (A. pusilla) is found in cysts of the peritoneum. According to Wedl, the intestine of the Egyptian hedgehog (Erinaceus auritus) is infested by another worm, which he calls Pterygodermatitis plagiostoma. This is allied to Froelich’s genus Rictularia. As regards the mole (Talpa europæa), two flukes have been described (Distomum flexuosum and Monostomum ocreatum), also two round worms, namely, Ascaris incisa, occupying the peritoneum, and Spiroptera strumosa in the cavity of the stomach. Dr Schneider places the latter with the Filariæ. A little tapeworm (Tænia bacillaris) infests the small intestines, and a larval cestode occupies the liver and subcutaneous connective tissues. This is the well-known Cysticercus talpæ, which Leuckart and others have referred to as being the scolex or juvenile state of Tænia tenuicollis infesting weasles (Mustelidæ). The Cysticercus is also found in Arvicola arvalis. In regard to the shrews, many species of fluke have been described as occupying the intestines. In Sorex araneus and S. leucodon, the Distoma migrans; in S. constrictus, the D. exasperatum; in S. tetragonurus, the D. corrugatum and D. rubens; the last-named fluke, with two others (D. instabile and D. truncatum), being also found in Daubenton’s shrew. The tapeworms are numerous—Tænia neglecta, T. furcata, T. uncinata, T. pistillum, T. tiara, T. scalaris, T. scutigera. With the exception of the last named, all these forms occur in the common shrew. According to the investigations of M. Villot the cysticercal stage of T. pistillum is to be found [in the glow-worm (Glomeris).] This scolex (Staphylocystis micracanthus, Villot) multiplies by proliferation, and in this way the swallowing of a single intermediate host may result in the formation of a hundred or more tapeworms. Another species of Staphylocystis (S. biliarius) is considered by Villot to be the larval source of T. scutigera and T. scalaris, which are perhaps identical species. A small Echinorhynchus (E. appendiculatus), found in the intestines and also encysted in the mesentery of the shrew, in like manner becomes transferred to the stomach of the fox. The nematodes of shrews possess little interest. In the common shrew the only species known are Trichosoma splenaceum and an immature worm, whilst in Sorex tetragonurus we have T. incrassatum, occupying the tunica vaginalis of the testis, and Strongylus depressus in the intestines. Not many other insectivora appear to have been studied in relation to their internal parasites. A larval cestode has been noticed in the Russian musk rat (Mygale), and also a tapeworm (Tænia sphærocephala) in the golden mole (Chrysochloris). Several flukes and a tapeworm have been found in the water-shrews (Sorex fodiens), but, so far as I am aware, nothing has been done in connection with the parasites of the Macroscelidinæ, of the Banxrangs (Tupainæ), or of the Tanecs (Centites) and their allies. The entozoa of the star-nosed and shrew moles of North America (Condylura and Scalops) also deserve attention. From the last-named genus (S. canadensis) Prof. Leidy obtained a single male spiroptera. It occupied the stomach and was only half an inch in length.
Bibliography (No. 44).—Leidy, “S. scalopsis canadensis,” ‘Proc. Phil. Acad.,’ 1851, p. 156.—Linstow, “D. cordatum, Einige neue Distomen (u. s. w.),” ‘Arch. für Anat.,’ 1873, s. 95.—Molin, ‘Una Monografia del genere Physaloptera,’ Wien, 1860 (p. 7, “P. clausa,” and p. 31, “P. limbata”)..—Idem, ‘Nuovi myzelmintha,’ Wien, 1859, p. 10, Spec. No. 8.—Idem, ‘Una Monogr. del genere Spiroptera,’ Wien, 1860, p. 25, Spec. No. 22.—Schneider, ‘Monogr. der Nematoden,’ Berlin, 1866, s. 103, Spec. No. 39.—Stieda, in ‘Troschel’s Archiv,’ 1862, “Description and figs. of Tænia uncinata and T. furcata of the Shrew.”—Thomson, art. “Ovum,” in ‘Todd’s Cyclop. of Anat. and Phys.,’ contains figs. and description of T. pistillum (from Dujardin), vol. v, p. 28.—Villot, A., “On the Migrations and Metamorphoses of the Tapeworms of the Shrews,” in ‘Ann. of Nat. Hist.,’ March, 1878, from ‘Comptes Rendus,’ Nov. 19, 1877, p. 971.—Wedl, K., “Zur Helminthenfauna Ægyptens,” ‘Sitzungsb. d. math.-naturw. Classe’ (u. s. w.), Bd. xliv, Abth. i, s. 464.
Part IV (Carnivora).
Notwithstanding the importance of the entozoa of this large section of mammals, I must deal with them very summarily, emphasising my remarks on the parasites of the dog and cat. Only a few of the ectozoa can be noticed.
The bears are much infested by nematodes, the species being Ascaris transfuga and Spiroptera (Gongylonema) contorta of Molin. The latter is found in the œsophagus. Immature round worms have also been found in cysts. These were erroneously described as cestodes by Zeder and Gmelin. The bear, however, is very liable to be infested by genuine Cysticerci. Retzius found them in the muscles, and they are described as examples of the ordinary hog-measle. The museum attached to Guy’s Hospital contains the heart of a bear which is largely infested by Cysticerci. A species of tapeworm has been found in the polar bear. The coati (Nasua narica) is infested by Ascaris brachyoptera in the intestine, by Molin’s Physaloptera semilanceolata from the stomach, by Echinorhynchus spirula, Tænia crassipora, and Ligula reptans, the latter occupying the muscles. A second species of Ascaris (A. alienata) is described from Nasua rufa.