The Irish Wood-lice. 29 



Philoscia muscorum, Scop. (fig. 15). 



The species of the genus Philoscia have the narrow tail in common 

 with Trichoniscus and Metoponorihtis, but differ from them in the structure 

 of the fiagellum, which has three joints, whilst there are only two in 

 Metoponorthus, and generally more than three in Trichoniscus. If there 

 should be any doubt between Philoscia muscorum and M. pruinosus (to which 

 it bears a certain resemblance in size and shape), the very glossy surface 

 of the body and the dark markings along the middle of the back will 

 distinguish the former from the more dull and uniformly coloured M. 

 pruinosus. The colour of these species varies very considerably, from 

 red to reddish-brown and black. It is extremely common, having been 

 obtained in almost every part of Ireland, chiefly in woods under stones 

 and leaves. 



General Distribution.— S. England (1), Scotland (9), C, W. and S. 

 Europe, and N. Africa (2.) 



[Philoscia Couchii, Kin.], (fig. 16.) 



Philoscia longkornis, Budde-Lund (fide Dollfus). 



This species, like the last, is very smooth and shining, but it differs in 

 being rather smaller, and in the outer antennae being of greater length 

 and hairy. Its colour too, which is a uniform pale grey, distinguishes 

 the species from the preceding one. 



It has not yet been found in Ireland. 



General Distribution. — S. W. England (6), the shores surround- 

 ing the Mediterranean (2). 



ARMADILLIDiZE. 



ArmacUIIidium vulgare, Lat. (fig. 17.) 



Armadillo vulgaris, Kin. 



As I have mentioned before, this isthe only Irish Wood-lousein which the 

 caudal appendages do not project posteriorly, and in virtue of their trun- 

 cated shape it is able to roll itself into a perfect ball at the least alarm. It 

 is known as the " pill millepede " along with a real millepede (Glomeris) 

 which has the same faculty of rolling itself into a ball. P'ormerly it was 

 in great repute for its supposed medicinal virtues, and when dried and 

 pulverized it was spoken of very highly as a remedy for indigestion, and 

 even weakness of sight. It is very convex and shining, and varies in 

 colour from dark steel-grey to reddish-brown, and in the amount of its 

 pale markings. 



In Ireland it is more common in the plain than in the mountains, and 

 it has not yet been taken on the west coast. 



Genera^ Distribution. — England (1), Scotland (9), the greater 

 part of Europe, and the adjoining portions of Asia and Africa. (Monte- 

 Video, New York, Melbourne — introduced?) (2). 



