320 



Transactions. 



margins. Sterna without grooves., those of the posterior somites granular : 

 sternal area of last marked anteriorly on each side with an oblique shallow 

 groove. Legs shortish, hairy, armed with a single inferior tibial and tarsal 

 spine. Claw with 2 basal spinules, one inferior and one posterior. Posterior 

 legs long and slender, about one-third the length of the body and head, 

 without spines, protarsal and tarsal segments subequal. Trochanter of the 

 13th and 14th armed below with a horny spike, which is shortest on that 

 of the 13th ; coxa of 15th similarly armed. Genito-anal sclerite (figs. 3 

 and 4) is about one-half the length of the last leg-bearing somite. When 



Fig. 1. — Cephalite, dorsal view. 



Fig. 2. — Toxicognaths, showing teeth on praecoxal processes and femora. 

 Fig. 3. — Genito-anal sclerite, ventral view, valves closed. 

 Fig. 4. — Genito-anal sclerite, ventral view, valves open, showing genito-anal 

 aperture (g. ap.) and gland-like bodies (gl.). 



viewed from the dorsal or ventral aspect its sides are seen to be convex,, 

 and to converge posteriorly to a point. From the lateral aspect its upper 

 edge, which is compressed, is straight and horizontal ; its inferior edge 

 convex, the two meeting at an acute angle of about 45°. When the valves 

 are open (fig. 4) they are seen to border a shallow oval cavity, in the centre 

 of which is the genito-anal aperture (g. ap.), with a row of 4 gland -like 

 bodies (gl.) on either side. 



Length, 20-45 mm. 



Localities of New Zealand Specimens. ■ — Mount Starveall, Nelson (G. 

 Kidson) ; Mount Dick, Ben Lomond, and Kingston, Otago (T. Hall) ; Mount 

 Algidus (T. Hall) ; Cass, and Hawdon Valley, Canterbury (G. A.) ; Stair- 

 case, the Remarkables, and Routeburn, Otago (T. Hall). 



Hab.- — Tasmania and South Island of New Zealand. 



The occurrence of 'such an archaic form as Graterostignms in both New 

 Zealand and Tasmania is of considerable interest, for it may be regarded 

 as having some significance in connection with the question of a former 

 land connection between these two countries. Craterostig-mxs is fairly 

 common within its range in New Zealand, and is easy to find, and there- 

 fore it is not likely to be overlooked by a collector. Centipedes have been 

 collected in the North Island of New Zealand and over a considerable part 

 of Australia, so that, as far as Australia and New Zealand are concerned, 

 it is fairly safe to assume that it is confined to the southern portion of these 

 two regions. If later search proves this to be the case, the occurrence of 

 the same species in New Zealand and Tasmania will have greater value as 

 evidence for the existence of the supposed former land connection. 



