728 AUSTRALIAN HIRUDINEA, IV., 



the stem, and not deciduous.' The foot-gland for attachment^ 

 rendered necessary by the absence of any adherent stolon, though 

 frequently absent in the adult, is always present in the young, 

 and in the forms under consideration is conspicously developed 

 as a trumpet-like disc. Judging from the small size of the stalk 

 in all the individuals I have examined, it is very probable that 

 they are all very young. 



Geobdella tristriata, sp. nov. 



A specimen of this leech was obtained in the Fife Bay district, 

 British New Guinea; and for permission to examine it, I 

 must express my thanks to Thomas Steel, Esq. In this region 

 it is known to the natives under the name " Domani." I have- 

 no further information in regard to its habitat, but consider it 

 quite safe to conclude that it is a land -leech, as in the case of the 

 only two other species which are at present known as represen- 

 tatives of the genus Geobdella. Its occurrence in New Guinea 

 is of some interest, inasmuch as the genus is otherwise confined 

 to Australia, G. Whitmani being known in New South Wales 

 and Queensland, and G. australiensis from New South Wales. 

 As far as I know, Geobdella has not been yet found in Victoria or 

 Tasmania. No better place could be found for the requirements 

 for an abundance of land-leeches than moist tropical and sub- 

 tropical spots, and it may be that the genus under description 

 may be confined, more or less, to such localities. I mention this 

 in rec'ard to the limited distribution, because land-leeches are 

 such prominent and easily detected animals, that it is hardly 

 likely that in the well explored Southern State they would escape 

 detection. 



The single specimen is preserved in alcohol, and as such in the 

 contracted condition resembles in shape G. Whitmani and G. 

 australiensis; length, 16 mm; breadth, 4-3 mm; depth, 2mm; 

 posterior sucker, 3mm. in diameter. 



Seen with the naked eye, the surface has a papillose, rugose 

 appearance, as is the case in G. Whitmani, the only other species 

 I have been enabled to examine. When examined under a lens. 



