go The Irish Naturalist. 



The Long Worm is rightly so named. It is usually about six inches in 

 length, but varies a good deal both in size and colour. I am making 

 notes on these variations as opportunity permits, because of their im- 

 portant bearing on many points of interest. Taking the species as a 

 whole, I have observed already four well-marked forms of variation. 



First, there is the milky variety (var. lacted), which, I believe, is the same 

 as Oerley's Octodasian lacteum, found in Italy. It is found in clay or 

 gravel, and is creamy white. Next comes a graceful, slight, and much- 

 extended form found by shaking the soil of pasture land with a garden 

 fork. A third variety presents a striking contrast to the foregoing. It 

 is found in gardens and cultivated soil, and is coarse, rough, and thick- 

 headed — altogether quite a clod-hopper type of animal compared with 

 the pasture-lover. A further form has sunken male-pores, very dark 

 head, girdle deeply coloured, and seems very like a hybrid. The position 

 of the tiibcrcida piibcrtatis in the pasture form suggests the possibility of its 

 being a quite distinct variety, but the whole subject needs very careful 

 study. There is something very characteristic about the shape of the 

 prostomium when extended, exactly corresponding with a figure given 

 some years ago by Lankester to a worm which he named Luinbriciis agricola. 



What may be regarded as the typical form of the Long Worm is marked 

 by the following characteristics. The body is cylindrical, tapering in 

 front and flattened behind. This flattened form of tail is indicative of 

 the habits of the worm. It crawls forth at night and lies partly exposed 

 on the soil, while the posterior extremity retains a grip of the burrow. 

 In colour the worm is a deep sienna brown, not ruddy or brick-red, as 

 the various species of LwnbHctis are, though there is usually a small 

 amount of iridescence present. The anterior 'portion is frequently so 

 intensely dark as to suggest the angler's name of Black-head. The 

 segments number from 150 to 200 in a full-grown specimen. The setse 

 are disposed, as in Lumbricus, in four couples, the individuals of which 

 are nearly close together. The under-surface of segments 9, 10, 11, 

 where the principal organs are located, is tumid and pale, while the male 

 pores are readily observed on segment 15 situated on conspicuous pale 

 papillee. The lip can be greatly extended forwards, while posteriorly it 

 cuts the first ring or peristomium only in part. In Ltinibricus, it will 

 be remembered, the lip completely bisects the first segment, (Fig. 8, 

 p. 10). The first dorsal pore is found between the 12th and 13th segments. 

 Ude was one of the first to draw attention to the value of this character, 

 and it will be seen by the diagnoses which we shall supply, that there is 

 usually a distinct relationship between the various members of the 

 several groups in this respect. 



The girdle of the Long Worm extends over the segments 28-35, three of 

 which (32, 33, 34,) carry the so-called clitellar papillae {tubercida pubertatis). 

 I have observed in some varieties a divergence from this rule, but shall 

 not at present puzzle the reader by the introdiiction of exceptions. 



This worm is more liable than any other British species to " sport." I 

 have received from different localities, and figured in Science Gossip, Nature, 

 and elsewhere, several of these monstrosities. They usually take the form 

 of a double head or bifurcate tail. As much is yet to be learned by the 

 study of abnormal forms, I shall be gratified for any specimens which 

 seem to be peculiar. 



As I am constantly receiving fresh supplies of earth worms from 

 Ireland — thanks to the industry of the readers of this journal — I shall 

 have to give a special paper on the subject of distribution at the end of 

 the series, when it will be possible to give a fuller and more accurate 

 list of localities and collectors than at present. It may be stated, 

 however, that up till the present I have received specimens of the long 

 worm from the following localities : — 



Distribution in Irei<and. Cashel, Co. Tipperary (Lieut. -Col, R. E. 

 Kelsall) ; Blackrock, Co. Dublin (Miss E. J. Kelsall) ; Malahide (Mr. 

 Trumbtni) ; Glasnevin (Mr. J. R, Redding) ; Loughbrickland, Co, Down 

 (Rev, H, W, Lett) ; Newcastle, Co. Down (Mr. Praeger) ; Cork (Miss 

 A, N, Abbott); Carrablagh, Co. Donegal (Mr. H. C. Hart); Piperstown, Co. 

 Louth (Miss S. Smith). ^^^ ^^ continued.) 



