Ascaris
a genus of intestinal worms, the typical one of the family ascaridæ.
A. lumbricoides, or round worm, is the commonest intestinal parasite of the human species, generally occupying the small intestines; it is found also in the hog and ox. In the human species it is much more common in children than in adults, and is extremely rare in aged persons. A second species, the ascaris or oxyurus vermicularis, is one of the most troublesome parasites of children, and occasionally of adults. It infests the larger intestines.
ASCETICS ASCENSION (discovered on Ascension Day), an island of volcanic origin belonging to Great Britain, near the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, lying about lat. 7° 55′ S., long. 15° 25′ W.; 800 miles N. W. of St. Helena; area, about 36 square miles; pop. 165. It is retained by Great Britain mainly as a station at which ships may touch for stores. It is celebrated for its turtles, which are the finest in the world. Wild goats are plentiful, and oxen, sheep, pheasants, guinea-fowl, and rabbits have been introduced, and thrive well. Georgetown is the principal settlement. The island is governed by a naval officer. ance of a