PERIPATUS. 



97 



Peripatus is especially interesting from the fact that its structure, and especially 

 that of its tracheae, and the little that is known of its development all point to it as 

 the living representative of the ancestor of all insects, and as a connecting link !><>- 

 tween that group and the worms. 



But little is known of the species of this genus, although four have been describe! I. 

 The best known form is P. ccyiensis, and next comes P. nova-zelandice, the habitats of 

 each being indicated by the specific name. Peripatus capensis lives in damp situations, 

 under decaying wood, etc., and when at rest coils itself in a spiral, like a milljped, with 

 its head in the centre. When in motion it extends its body to about twice its length 

 when at rest. It has a gait like that of a caterpillar, its short, stout legs holding the 

 body free from the ground. When annoyed it ejects a quantity of slime from peculiar 

 glands within the body, the openings of which, as we have said, are on either side of 

 the mouth. This slime is a very sticky and tenacious fluid, adhering very strongly to 

 everything with which it comes in contact, and resembling bird-lime in its general char- 

 acters. It, however, dries very rapidly. 



The little that is now known concerning these very interesting forms will doubtless 

 soon be greatly increased, for an English naturalist has just gone to the Cape to study 

 their development, while two others are now at work at a monograph of the species. 



J. S. KINGSLEY. 



FIG. 132. Embryo of Peripatus. 



VOL. II. 7 



