306 bulletin: museum of comparative zoology. 



natural character of the vegetation remains practically unchanged. 

 Here the rainfall, approximating 160 inches annually, is much greater 

 and the temperature considerably lower, than in the coastal region. 

 It was in this region, close to the border of the Grand Etang Lake 

 that I unearthed the first specimen of Peripatus. It was concealed 

 within a low, much decayed stump inside which it had evidently 

 been living for some time, as some galleries within the wood left by 

 wood-boring larvae, were smeared with the solidified glutinous secre- 

 tion of its mucus glands. Entangled in this gummy substance were 

 the chitinous remains of some arthropods upon which the Peripatus 

 had evidently been feeding. Recognizable among these was a black 

 harvestman (phalangiid) which is very commonly seen in decaying 

 stumps. 



During the next several days we made a very thorough search in 

 the vicinity, and Dr. Allen was successful in finding two additional 

 specimens. These were similarly hidden in decaying wood near the 

 surface of the ground, not far from the lake. The species is apparently 

 localized in this small region, for an equally thorough examination 

 of the nearby hills and lower swampy areas brought to light no further 

 examples. It would appear, therefore, that Peripatus barbouri is 

 not only rare, but restricted in its distribution to one or probably 

 several small areas among the high hills in the central part of the island. 



The following table of the Caribbean species of Peripatus (Peripates 

 caraibes) is a translation of the one included in Bouvier's recent mono- 

 graph, 1 with the addition of the Grenada species, and has been intro- 

 duced for reference in discussing the distribution and relationships 

 of the Antillean species. 



1. Transverse dorsal folds numbering 24 to each segment, always very slightly 

 distinct on account of numerous anastomosings and irregularities in the 

 grooves which separate them; accessory papillae rare or absent, primary 

 papillae small and subequal ; crural tubercles present on the two praegeni- 



tal pairs of legs in the male Section of P. jamaicensis 



Dorsal folds numbering 12 to each segment; separated by continuous 

 grooves except at the level of the legs where some of the grooves usually 

 bifurcate 2 



2. Primary papillae on the dorsal surface of the body each with a quad- 

 rangular base separated by straight grooves parallel with the axis of the 

 body; accessory papillae ordinarily small and few in number; crural 

 tubercles present on the two praegenital pairs of legs in the male (at least 

 in P. perrieri) Section of P. torquatus. 



1 Bouvier, E. L. Monographie des Onycophores, Ann. Sci. Nat. Zool., 1905- 

 1907, ser. 9, 2, p. 1-383, 13 pis.; 5, p. 61-318. 



