Benham. — Some Earthworms from the NortJt, Island. 283 



5. Rhododrilus besti, Benham. 



hoc. Ruatahuna. 



A single individual. Collected by Mr. Elsdon Best. 



This is the tokerangi of the natives, and is not included in 

 Mr. Best's list of edible species. He writes me that it is " found 

 on tracks, &c, in the morning, generally after a wet night." 



Subfam. MEGASCOLECINiE. 

 Tokea, Benham (1904). 



6. Tokea esculenta, Benham. 



hoc. Ruatahuna. 



Collected by Mr. Elsdon Best, in stony places : it is termed 

 kurekure by the natives, who eat it. 



7. Tokea sapida, Benham. 



hoc. Ruatahuna. 



Collected by Mr. Best. This is also an edible species, and is 

 not distinguished by the Maori from the preceding species, the 

 same name, kurekure, being used for both. It was one of the 

 most prized kinds, and was reserved as food for the chiefs. 



8. Tokea ureweras, Benham. 



Loc. Ruatahuna. 



Collected by Mr. Best. It is the pokotea of the Maoris, who 

 included it in their bill-of-fare. 



9. Tokea huttoni, Benham. 



Loc. Whangarei. 



One individual. Collected by Captain Hutton. 



10. Tokea suteri, Benham. 



Loc. Auckland. 



One individual. Collected by Mr. Suter. 



11. Tokea kirki, Benham. 



Loc. Ohaeawai. 



Five specimens. Collected by Professor H. B. Kirk. 



12. Tokea maorica, Benham. 



Loc. Auckland : Waitakerei Bush and Nikau-pahn Bush, 

 near Auckland. 



Eight individuals. Collected by Mr. Suter. 



It will be seen that out of a collection containing twelve new 

 species, only two belong to the predominant genera of the South 

 Island — viz., Maoridrilus and Octochcetus. The genus Rhodo- 

 drilus is represented by one species in the South Island, one 

 species in the Chatham, and two species (described in the present 

 volume) in the southern islands. 



