282 Transactions. — Zoology. 



results. Here and now it is only necessary to present a list of 

 the new species, but I cannot let the opportunity pass by without 

 emphasizing the fact that the predominant earthworms in the 

 North Island belong to a subfamily quite different from that 

 to which the predominant earthworms of the South Island 

 belong, and heretofore believed to be characteristic of New 

 Zealand as a whole. 



The South Island earthworms (extending up to and including 

 Stephen Island in Cook Strait) belong to the subfamily Acantho- 

 drUincB ; on the other hand, the commonest earthworms in the 

 North Island belong to the subfamily Megascolecince, which is 

 characteristic of Tasmania and Australia. 



The problem of distribution presented to us renders our 

 former ideas on the subject as to the relation of our fauna to 

 that of Australia somewhat confusing : and I do not at present 

 propose to discuss it till I have worked out the line along which 

 the two subfamilies came into contact in New Zealand. I shall 

 be extremely grateful for any earthworms from Nelson and 

 Marlborough, as well as from the southern parts of the North 

 Island, for we are very deficient in knowledge as to the fauna 

 in these parts of the country. 



List of New Species. 

 Fam. MEGASCOLECIDtE. 



Subfam. ACANTHODRILIN.E. 



1. Maoridrilus mauianus, Benham. 



Loc. Auckland. 



A single individual. Collected by Mr. Suter. 



2. Octochaetus michaelseni, Benham. 



Loc. Wellington. 



A single specimen. Collected by Captain Hutton. 



Dinodriloides, Benham (1904). 



3. Dinodriloides beddardi, Benham. 

 Loc. Auckland. 



A single individual. Collected by Mr. Suter. 



4. Rhododrilus edulis, Benham. 

 Loc. Ruatahuna. 



Two individuals. Collected by Mr. Elsdon Best. This worm 

 is known to the natives of Tuhoeland as tarao (= wharu, and per- 

 haps huharu) ; it appears to be common, and was used as food.* 



* I have added ilia-rams to illustrate the specific characters of this and 

 the following species, for comparison with other species of Rhododrilus 

 described in the presenl volume. 



