72 The Irish Naturalist. February, 



Enchytraeus Bucholzll,Vejd. 



1900. Michaelsen, " Tierreich," vol. x., p. 90. 

 1906. Southern, Irish Naturalist, vol. xv., p. 184. 



One mature specimen was found in November, in soil. Like the last- 

 named species, it appears to be mature all the year round. 

 Distribution. — Ireland, Europe, Patagonia, &c. 



Enchytraeus argenteus, Mchlsn. 



1897. Enchytraus parvulus, Friend, Zoologist, ser. 4, vol. i., p. 349. 



1902. „ } , ,, frisk Naturalist, vol. xi., p. no. 



1900. Michaelsen, "Tierreich," vol. x., p. 91. 



This species was recorded by Friend as the " Aster Worm.*' He after- 

 wards recognised it as identical with E. argenteus, Mch. The name 

 Enchylrceus parvulus has since been applied to another species by Bretscher 

 (1 , page 18). It is common in soil, and is occasionally injurious to 

 plants. 



Distribution.— Ireland, England, Germany, Switzerland. 



Enchytraeus minimus, Bretscher. x 



1899. Bretscher, Revue Suisse Z00L, vol. vi., p. 402. 



Several specimens were found 011 Lam bay. I also found it in large 

 numbers at Glencar, Co Kerry. They agreed in all respects with 

 Bretscher's description. Michaelsen (1, p. 93) stated that this species is 

 probably the same as E. argenteus. After examining both species, I find 

 there is no ground for this statement, and E. minimus must be regarded 

 as a distinct species. Bretschers paper was not illustrated, so I have 

 given figures of the brain (PI. 18, fig. 4 A), the nephridium (fig. 4 C), 

 and the front part of the dorsal vessel (fig. 4 B). The two anterior 

 branches of the latter, on each side, have a common origin. The ante- 

 sept al of the nephridium consists of the funnel only, a sharp distinction 

 from E. argenteus. The specimens were very small, 2 - 5-3'5 mm. long 

 The dorsal vessel rises in the 13th segment. 



Distribution.— Ireland, Switzerland. 



Fridcricia bulbosa (Rosa) x 



1900. Michaelsen, "Tierreich,'* vol. x., p. 96. 



This was the commonest Enchytrseid on Lanibay. It showed great 

 variation in some of its characters. Length 10-12 mm. Setie usually 4, 

 occasionally 6 in a bundle. Brain onger than broad, concave or slightly 

 convex in front ; behind concave, convex, or straight. Salivary glands 

 usually unbranched. Occasionally the distal end bifurcates once or twice 

 (PI. 19, fig. 7, C). The dorsal vessel rises in the I9th-2ist segment. The 

 post-septal of the nephridium (fig. 7 D) gradually merges into the 

 duct. The spei m funnel is 3-6 times as long as broad. The spermatheca 



