Embryos and embryonic envelopes in eggs of two cyclophyllidean cestodes.

Membranes and envelopes around the embryos in eggs of Cotugnia digonopora and Raillietina (R.) echinobothrida have been studied in detail. This is the first study giving details of the egg-shell of a Cotugnia species. There are 3 membranes and an equal number of envelopes around the embryos in eggs of C. digonopora , while there are 2 membranes and only one envelope in case of eggs of R. echinobothrida . Noteworthy is the presence of a membrane in eggs of C. digonopora , termed "middle capsule", between and separating the 2 envelopes viz. the outer and inner. The membranes and envelope around the embryos in eggs of R. echinobothrida have been found to be identical with those of R. galeritae .--The 3 pairs of embryonic hooks of the 2 cyclophyllideans studied are collared --a feature of specific importance.

On a triple infection of strigeid metacercariae in an Indian fresh-water fish, Xenentodon cancilla.

Three new species of strigeid metacercariae viz., Neascus hoffmani n. sp., Neascus nanaksagarensis n. sp. and Tetracotyle aglandulata n. sp. are described here from a fresh-water fish, Xenentodon cancilla (Ham.); of these, the former two resemble N. xenentodoni PANDEY, 1970 as well as N. hepatica CHAKRABARTI, 1970 while the latter one T. xenentodoni CHAKRABARTI, 1969. - N. hoffmani and N. nanaksagarensis are pharyngeate forms and each has its own pattern of reserve excretory system. N. hoffmani has a spinose body, while N. nanaksagarensis has an aspinose body. - Tetracotyle aglandulata has a lobed hold-fast organ, but lacks a hold-fast gland. Further, in this form fore-body and hind-body is not marked and it has its own characteristic reserve excretory system.

On cestodes of Passer domesticus I. Choanotaenia, Raillietine and Proparuterina.

An investigation on the cestode fauna of the common sparrow, Passer domesticus (Linnaeus) was carried out for about five years. In all 445 birds were examined during this period and only five species of cestodes were found to parasitize this bird: of these, three are known while two are new forms, the latter are the rarities. This part includes critical accounts of Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann, 1907), Raillietine (R.) galeritae (Skrjabin, 1915) and Proparuterina lali sp. nov. - Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann, 1907) has been previously studied by Fuhrmann (1907), Johnston (1909), Stunkard & Milford (1937) and Kintner (1938). The present study provides additional data. The writers find two rows of rostellar hooks in the present material. Fuhrmann and Johnston reported two rows of rostellar hooks, but Kintner apparently found a single row of rostellar hooks. Variations have been found in the number of testes and extent of cirrus sac. Amongst the previous workers, only Johnston (1909) paid attention to study the protective coverings present around the hexacanth and described two envelopes, but the writers find three. - Raillietine (R.) galeritae (Skrjabin, 1915) has been restudied and redescribed from fresh material. Previously Mahon (1958) studied this species from P. domesticus. The present account includes important variations and some additions too. Suckers have been found to be armed in contradiction to what Mahon stated. Gravid proglottides have been found to develop a velum. Egg capsules contain 3-13 eggs each. Two protective envelopes have been found around the hexacanth. This is the first record of the occurrence of this species in P. domesticus in India. Proparuterina lali sp. nov. is a rare parasite of Passer domesticus. Only one more species viz. P. aruensis Fuhrmann, 1911 is known. The present species differs from P. aruensis in the number and distribution of testes, bilobed nature and median position of ovary, position of vitellarium and of genital pore. The generic diagnosis of Proparuterina Fuhrmann, 1911 has been amended in the light of the morphology of the present species.