Tape-worms of Rabbits

Abstract

HAVING had occasion to dissect a number of wild rabbits, I have been surprised to find that the majority of them are infested with a large species of tape-worm. Can any of your readers inform me whether the life-history of this parasite has ever been made out? The case appears to be a remarkable one, because the host cannot here be suspected of ever taking animal food. Unless, therefore, we suppose that the tape-worm of a rabbit differs from other tape-worms in not passing through a hydatid stage, it becomes difficult to explain the very general occurrence of this species.