222 The Irish Naturalist. [Sept., 



EARTHWORMS. 

 BY RKV. HII,DE:RIC FRIEND, P.I,.S. 



Through the kindness of Dr. Scharff I have been able to 

 examine a typical set of Earthworms from Clonbrock, Co. 

 Galway, which contained several species already recorded 

 for other parts of the country. I submit a full list of species 

 received. 



LuiYifarlcus herculeus, Savigny (Common Earthworm). Usually 

 known as Litnihricns terrestris. A fine typical specimen, well developed, 

 with girdle extending over segments 32-37. On one side of segments 

 25, 26, there were ventral papillae such as often occur in adult forms. 

 The specimen was placed in spirits and returned to Dublin. 



Lumbrlcusrubellus, Hoffmeister (Red Worm). This worm has the 

 good fortune to be without synonyms. It is known by the girdle ex- 

 tending across segments 27-32. Sometimes it begins abnormally ou 

 segment 26. The colour is purple and iridescent. It is much smaller 

 than the last, and often twice as large as the next, which in other respects 

 it very closely resembles. It has no papillae on segment 15 in connection 

 with the male apertures. 



Lumbricus castaneus, Savigny (Purple Worm). Long known as 

 L.purpiireus. A small, clean, lively worm, with girdle on segments 28-33. 

 There is here also an absence of glandular swellings on the fifteenth 

 segment. "> e- 



Lumbricus rubescens, Friend (Ruddy Worm). Beddard regards 

 this as synonymous with the Enterion festivwn of Savigny, and the 

 Lujubrictis fcstivus of Duges. Though the accounts of the worm given 

 by these two authors are brief and imperfect, I am prepared to accept 

 the identification, in which case the worm will be known as Luuibrkus 

 ftstivus (Savigny). I first described it in Nature, 1891, p. 273. 



Allolobophora fcetlda, Savigny (Brandling). A well-marked 

 species, abundant in old manure, and much sought after by the angler. 

 It exudes a yellow fluid when irritated, and is known b}' its alternate 

 yellow and ruddy-brown coloured bands. 



Allolobophora subrubfcunda, Eisen (Gilt-tail). A. worm with a 

 large list of names, first differentiated by Dr. Gustav Eisen, in 1873. It 

 is often no more than an inch in length, though it sometimes reaches 

 three inches. The girdle covers segments 26-31, and it is a great 

 favourite with certain kinds of fish. 



Allolobophora chlorotica, Savigny (Green Worm). There is 



usually little difficulty in identifying this species, first on account of its 



well-marked colour and habits, and next because of the three pairs of 



pores {tube7'cu/a) on alternate segments T)^^ Z2>^ 35- It usually coils itself 



. up when disturbed, and is very sluggish. 



