A human case of Philophthahmis infection in the eye is reported from Ceylon. Reasons are given for not attempting a specific diagnosis.

This is the second record of this genvs from man, and is also the first trematode to be observed from man in Ceylon.

We are grateful to Professor V. Sivalingam for facilities to identify and report on the parasite, and to Professor J. J. C. Buckley for his suggestions. The photomicrograph was kindly prepared by Mr. R. Surendranatham of the Medical Research institute, Colombo.

Paramphistomum explanation, Gastrothylax crumenifer, and Fasciola gigantica were maintained for periods of twelve hours in a non-nutrient medium containing streptomycin and penicillin to prevent bacterial growth. They were kept under aerobic conditions at a suitable temperature of 37%C. The protein content in P. explanatum ranged from 50·0% to 54·7% with an average of 52·96%±0·23 of the dry weight of the tissue. In G. crumenifer it ranged from 43·5% to 51·5% with an average of 48·8%±0·56 of d.w.t. In F. gigantica it ranged from 63·8% to 68·3% with an average of 66·5%±0·26 of d.w.t. The nitrogen content of the P. explanation excreted as ammonia after a starvation period of twelve hours was 3·95% and as uric acid it was 0·077%. In G. crumenifer the ammonia was 2·91% and uric acid 0·033%. In F. gigantica ammonia was 2·51% and uric acid 0·1%.

The general principles underlying the conduct of hatching tests are described. Methods for collection of material, and for its preliminary assay are described; the information gained in this way is then used in designing hatching tests. The interpretation of the data resulting from such tests is described and limits are set between which interpretation is possible.

Giant cell formation was studied in the roots of potatoes grown in a soil infested with Heterodera rostochiensis.

Some indication of giant cell formation was found in roots fixed 14 days after planting of sprouted tubers in the infested soil.

Giant cells may be formed by the cells of the cortex, the endodermis, the pericycle and the parenchyma cells of the central vascular strand.

The first giant cells appear to be formed in the cortex and pericycle.

Giant cells in the cortex are only found near the head of an eelworm.

Giant cell formation by the parenchyma cells of the central vascular strand leads to no cambium and hence no secondary xylem being produced in those sectors of the root where they occur.

The occurrence of sectors of the root in which there is no secondary xylem gives the central vascular strand an irregular appearance.

Some giant cells may be multinucleate. They all have granular cytoplasm.

Three new records are made, viz: Achillurbainia recondita Travassos, 1942; Metadelphis evandroi Travassos, 1944; Rhopalias coronatus (Rudolphi, 1819) Stiles and Hassall, 1898; all are recorded from the manicou, Didelphis marsupialis insularis (Allen) from Trinidad, British West Indies. Descriptions of all these species are given.

Descriptions are given of 16 species of cestode found in Hertfordshire birds.

The taxonomic position of the genera Choanotaenia Railliet, 1896; Anomotaenia Cohn, 1900; and Paricterotaenia Fuhrmann, 1932, is discussed in detail.

A new species Anomotaenia verulamii, n.sp., from the Song Thrush (Turdus ericetorum) is described.

A new species Paricterotaenia albani, n.sp., from the Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is described.

A new species Paricterotaenia mariae, n.sp., from the Robin (Erithacus rubecula) is described.

A total of 18 new host records and 23 new records for this country are reported.