Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Filaria
FILARIA, in zoölogy, a genus of
Entozoa, of the order Cœlelmintha, and
family Nematoidea. The body is filiform,
very long, and nearly uniform; head not
distinct from the body; mouth round or
triangular, naked or with papilæ; it is
white, yellowish, or red. They are most
commonly found in the abdominal cavity
and between the peritoneal folds of
mammalia and birds, in the air-cells of the
latter. Species are also met with in
reptiles, fishes, and insects. Filaria
medinensis or guinea worm is common in
hot climates.

Filariasis