B. Platyhelminthes, or Flat Worms. By J. W. W. Stephens, M.D., B.C., D.P.H.

Definition: Bilaterally symmetrical animals without limbs, the form of which is leaf or tape-like, rarely cylindrical, and whose primary body cavity (segmentation cavity) is absent, the cavity being filled by a mesenchymatous tissue (parenchyma).

The mouth is either situated at the anterior end of the body, or is shifted more or less backwards on to the flat ventral surface. The alimentary canal consists of a short fore-gut, which is frequently provided with a muscular pharynx, and of a simple forked or branched mid-gut; there is neither a hind-gut nor an anus; in one class, the Cestodes, the alimentary canal has entirely disappeared except for muscular remnants in the scolex.

The INTEGUMENT OF THE BODY consists either of a ciliated epithelium of only one layer (Turbellaria), or of a cuticle and gland-like cells embedded in the parenchyma, or subcuticular layer (Cestodes, Trematodes). The dermo-muscular layer consists of annular, longitudinal, and even diagonal fibres, while the parenchyma is traversed by dorso-ventral fibres.

The central NERVOUS SYSTEM, which is embedded in the parenchyma of the body, consists of cerebral ganglia, united together in the shape of dumb-bells, and of two or more longitudinal MEDULLARY FASCICLES, often forming transverse anastomoses. Organs of sense usually occur only in the free-living species, more rarely during the free-living stages of a few parasitic species and in a few ectoparasitic forms.

[In Platyhelminthes simple eye-spots frequently occur, and in a few an auditory vesicle.]

Blood-vessels and definite RESPIRATORY ORGANS are lacking [except in Nemertinea]; the EXCRETORY APPARATUS (formerly termed water-vascular system) is typical of the entire class. It commences in the interstices of the parenchyma, with peculiar terminal cells (ciliated funnels), which will be described later (p. ), the capillary processes of which go on uniting into larger branches, and finally form two large collecting vessels, which, sometimes separately and sometimes united, open to the exterior through one, two, or numerous pores.

Nearly all the Platyhelminthes are HERMAPHRODITIC, and in nearly all there are, in addition to the ovaries producing ova, other glands attached to the female genital apparatus, namely, the vitellaria or yolk glands, which provide a substance termed yolk, which serves as nourishment for the embryo. The fully formed eggs have shells and are “compound,” i.e., composed of the egg or ovarian cell, which is surrounded by numerous yolk cells or their products of disintegration. The two sexual openings usually lie close together, frequently in the fundus of a genital atrium; they are rarely separated from one another. Shell glands also usually occur (p. ).

Reproduction is sexual, often, however, combined with asexual methods of propagation (segmentation, budding). The Platyhelminthes live partly free in fresh or salt water, exceptionally also on land. The greater part, however, live as parasites on or in animals.

Classification of the Platyhelminthes.

Class I.—Turbellaria (or Eddy Worms). Flat worms for the most part, free living, and always covered with a ciliated epithelium.

Order 1.—Rhabdocœlida, gut unbranched.

Order 2.—Tricladida, gut with three main branches.

Order 3.—Polycladida, a central gut with lateral cæca. Development direct or through metamorphosis. They live in fresh and salt water or on land; very seldom as parasites.

Class II.—Trematoda (Sucking Worms). [Usually known as Flukes.—F. V. T.] Flat worms, living as ecto- or endoparasites, that are only ciliated in the larval condition, and in their adult state are covered with a cuticle, the matrix cells of which lie in the parenchyma. They have either one, a few, or several suckers, and frequently also possess chitinous fixation and adhesive organs. The intestine is single, but generally bifurcated, and not uncommonly there are transverse anastomoses between the forks or diverticula on them. Excretory organs double, with two orifices at the anterior extremity or a single one at the posterior end. Development takes place by a metamorphosis or alternation of generations (p. ). These worms are almost always hermaphroditic, with two or more female and one male sexual orifice. They live, almost without exception, as parasites on vertebrate animals, but the intermediate generations are passed in molluscs.

Class III.—Cestoda (Tapeworms). Endoparasitic flat worms without an alimentary canal. The larval stages are rarely ciliated, but are usually provided with six spines; the adult worm is covered with a cuticle, the matrix cells of which are embedded in the parenchyma. The body consists of a single segment (Cestodaria) or a chain of segments, in which case it consists of the scolex and the segments containing the sexual organs (proglottides) (Cestodes s. str.). The scolex is provided with various adhesive and fixation organs, and there are calcareous corpuscles in the parenchyma. Excretory organs symmetrical, opening at the posterior end. These worms are always hermaphroditic, and then possess one or two female and one male sexual orifice. During development a larval intermediate stage (“measle”) occurs and almost always in a different host to that in which the adult sexual worm lives. The adult stage is parasitic in vertebrate animals; but the larval stage may occur in invertebrates.