Hectob. — Notes on a Land Planarian. 255 



Art. XXIX. — Notes on a Land Planarian (sent by F. V. 

 Knapp, Hampden State School, Nelson). 



By Sir J. Hector, K.C.M.G., F.E.S. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 13th July, 1892.] 



This worm is of some interest, as it is a land Planarian, 

 and probably a new genus and species. Three species of 

 marine Planarians have been described from New Zealand, 

 but only one land form — Geoplana traversii — which was de- 

 scribed by Mr. Moseley, of the "Challenger" Expedition, 

 from two specimens collected by Mr. Travers, found by him 

 near Wellington. The largest of these only measured lin. in 

 length, and from other characters was probably very different 

 from the specimen now exhibited. Two genera are known in 

 Australia — Geoplana and Bhynchodcmus — and thirty -five 

 species have been described of the former in Victoria, and 

 only one of the latter. Last year Professor Spencer, of Mel- 

 bourne, described eight species from Lord Howe's Island. Two 

 belong to a new genus (Cotyloplana) and six to Bhynchodemus. 

 The discovery of a New Zealand form is therefore im- 

 portant, so as to determine if it is more allied to the Lord 

 Howe's Island form than to the Victorian. The specimen is, 

 however, very distinct, I should think, even genetically, from 

 any that I can find described. 



It is worthy of note that Professor Baldwin Spencer believes 

 that the genus Geoplana is not represented in Lord Howe's 

 Island, whereas Professor Moseley has referred our only 

 hitherto known land Planarian to that genus. This would 

 rather associate our zoological area with south-east Australia, 

 whereas it is w T ell known that in its fauna and flora Lord 

 Howe's Island is far more related to New Zealand than to 

 any part of Australia. 



Art. XXX. — Notes on the Southern Seals. 



By Sir J. Hector, K.C.M.G., F.E.S. 



[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 14th September, 1892.] 



The following notes having been prepared in reply to an 

 application from the Minister of Marine, it has been thought 

 advisable to place them on record : — 



At least nine species of seals frequent the South Island, 

 but the nomenclature has been greatly confused and rendered 



