184 Transactions. 



one may judge from the wording of his statement with regard to them — 

 later authors having his memoir before them are concerned rather witli 

 systematic aspect of their worms, and are on the lookout for points of 

 difference. It may therefore turn out that the present species is identical 

 with Goodrich's, hut it must, on the evidence before us, ! be regarded as 

 distinct. 



Fam. Lumbricidae. 

 Eisenia foetida Savigny. 



Two specimens found " under leaves, &c, forest terrace, Sundav 

 Island." This worm, which is about 2§-3| in. in length, is familiar 

 to people in New Zealand, where it is fairly common in manure-heaps and 

 accumulations of rotting and fermenting vegetable matter. Its red body 

 is marked with a yellow band round each ring, which band, however, does 

 not completely encircle the body. 



The species, like the following members of this family, is a native of 

 Europe, North America, and Asia, but it has been carried by man in his 

 agricultural and commercial intercourse into nearly every part of the world, 

 so that it is now almost cosmopolitan. 



These northern worms are evidently capable of existing wherever climatic 

 conditions are suitable, and they can adapt themselves to new conditions 

 readily. Wherever cultivation of the soil has been carried on, there one 

 finds sooner or later these " introduced " earthworms supplanting those 

 native to the country. 



Helodrilus (Allolobophora) caliginosus Savigny. 



This is an extremely variable species, as all authors who have studied 

 the European worms have pointed out, from Hoffmeister (1845) to Michaelsen 

 (1900). The variation affects the size and coloration chiefly, and it is pro 

 bably associated in some way with differences in habitat and mode of life. 

 So great is this variability that one can at first scarcely suppose them to 

 belong to the same species till the anatomical features are examined ; 

 but in these features there is a fair amount of constancy, accompanied, 

 however, by small variations in such matters as the extent of the cli- 

 tellum. 



In this collection we have two very marked variations : (A) A larger 

 very dark-grey form, possibly with a bluish tinge when alive, attaining a 

 length of 3-4 in. ; and (B) a smaller and slenderer form, pale-coloured, flesh- 

 tinted or pinkish in life, attaining a length of 2J- 3£ in. 



Variety A. — Four very dark-coloured worms, anteriorly brownish-grey ; 

 the clitellum paler brown. Length, 75 mm. by 5 mm., with 167 segments. 

 These were found " under dead leaves, forest terrace, Sunday Island," 

 July, 1908. Oliver's number, 25. 



Variety B. — This is numbered by Oliver 14, and it is said to be 

 " abundant in top soil, Denham Bay." They are in the preserved con- 

 dition pale, almost colourless, apparently flesh-coloured in life, with a pale- 

 brown clitellum. They measure about 50-70 mm., with a diameter of 

 2-3 mm. 



Hab. — (a.) In the soil, Denham Bay (8/3/08), 32 individuals, mostly 

 immature, (b.) " Under leaves, forest terrace, Sunday Island " ; one imma- 

 ture individual, (c.) " Under nikau-palm leaves," Expedition Hill (16/10/08). 

 Number, 29. Two specimens, mature. 



