The Problem of the Origin of Nematodes

Abstract

The systematic position of Nematodes is an old standing problem which has already received much attention from zoologists. The conclusions at which they have arrived are however very discordant and the most widely separated orders of Metazoa have been claimed as near relatives of Nematodes. This great divergence of opinion has not abated the general interest in the problem, but, on the contrary, has had a greatly stimulating effect as was shown recently at the British Association for the Advancement of Science (1923) in a discussion on the affinities of Nematodes, opened by Prof. Hickson and supported by Prof. Goodrich and Dr Baylis. The results of this discussion were soon afterwards incorporated by Dr Baylis in a very interesting paper containing a complete review of the problem as well as a statement of the author's own views.