The present knowledge of the life cycles of nematodes of the family Capillariidae is reviewed and these data are considered from the viewpoint of a new system of the classification of genera in this family (Moravec 1982). An analysis of the relevant literature as also own studies have shown that, in this nematode group, there occur both direct (homoxenous) life cycles without an intermediate host (Baruscapillaria, Pseudocapillaria, Calodium, Pseudocapillaroides, partly also Capillaria, Eucoleus and Aonchotheca) and heteroxenous cycles with participation of obligate intermediate hosts that are usually oligochaetes and rarely fishes (Schulmanela, Pearsonema, partly also Capillaria, Eucoleus and Aonchotheca). A remarkable case is the species Aonchotheca philippinensis, an intestinal parasite of man, with alternative life cycles, i.e. either with participation of the intermediate host or without it (autoinfection), this being dependent on whether eggs or larvae are produced by the female parasites. The transmission of some capillariid species with a direct life cycle may include paratenic hosts (oligochaetes, fishes). Capillariids undergo four moults during their ontogenetic development, the first of which taking place inside the body of the intermediate host in case of heteroxenous cycles. The present knowledge of the biology of nematodes of the Capillariidae is very incomplete; their life cycles have hitherto been studied (in a different extent) in members of only 9 out of 22 presently valid genera (approximately in 7% of recognized capillariid species).