122 The Irish Naturalist. 



Five species fall under this heading, the name of the group having special 

 reference to the peculiar exudations. 



Allolotoophora turg-ida, Eisen. — Turgid Worm. Very common, 

 and widely distributed. Variable in size and colour; sometimes six 

 inches in length, and considerably larger in the region of the essential 

 organs (segments 8 to 12) than elsewhere. Of a dull flesh-colour, exuding 

 slime, or turbid fluid, when irritated. Girdle covering the 28th to the 

 34th segments, the papilke being on the alternate segments 31 and 33. 

 Often wdien the worm is adult these seem to form a band which extends 

 across the intervening segment, so that it may easily be mistaken for the 

 much rarer species which follows. 



Distribution in IreIvAND. Cork (Miss Martin and Miss Abbott) ; 

 Valencia, Co. Kerry (Miss Delap) ; Knocknacarry, Co. Antrim (Rev. S. 

 Brenan); Cashel, Co. Tipperary (lyieut.-Col. R. B. Kelsall) ; Killencoole, 

 Co. Louth (Mr. Jameson), etc. 



Allolotoophora trapezoidea, Duges. — Trapeze Worm. — Ver}^ 

 similar to the last, with which it has been repeatedly confused. Rosa 

 was the first to thoroughly disentangle them. Much rarer than the 

 foregoing. I have only one well-authenticated Irish localit}^ at present. 

 The girdle covers segments 27 to 34, and the clitellar band extends over 

 three consecutive segments (31, 32, 33). Rosa has correctly pointed out 

 that the shape of the segments, and the number in any given length, 

 diff'erentiate this species from the last. 



Distribution in Irf^i^and. Valencia, Co. Kerry (Miss Delap). 



AIIoIoRjophora mucosa, Eisen. — Mucous Worm. Readily dis- 

 tinguished from the others by its bright, fleshy-red colour, and the white 

 granular deposit from the exudation when placed in spirits, as well as by 

 the position and shape of the girdle. The worm is usually the smallest 

 of the group, two or three inches long, and much more delicate than its 

 allies. The girdle usually extends from the 26th to the 32nd segments, 

 on the 29th, 30th, and 31st, of which the band is seen so placed as to ex- 

 tend the girdle ventrally, and give it the characteristic appearance which 

 Eisen has figured with such truth and accuracy. Mr. Trumbull has sent 

 some small specimens from brick-clay, taken at Malahide. The longest 

 adult did not exceed one and a-half inches, and it is evident that habitat 

 has a great deal to do wntli their size. 



Distribution in IreIvAND. Cashel, Co. Tipperary (Lieut. -Col. R. E. 

 Kelsall); Valencia, Co. Kerry (Miss Delap); Dublin (Dr. Scharfl"), etc. 



Allolotoophora cfilorotica, Savigny. — Green Worm. Often look- 

 ing, when coiled up in its sulky, sluggish fashion, exactly like the dirty 

 larva of some large fly. The most conmion and variable of all our in- 

 digenous species. Several well-marked varieties might be enumerated, 

 if colour, shape, and habitat were sufficient to form a basis. In every 

 case, however, the specific characters are the same — viz., girdle extending 

 from segment 29 to segment 37, and three pairs of papillae situated on 

 segments 31, 2)2>i 35- 'I^iis colour varies from dirty green to dull yellow, 

 and from clay-brown to fleshy-red. Occasionally a bright emerald green 

 is met with. It lurks under stones and refuse, moves indifferently, and 

 exudes an unusual amount of dirty yellow, turbid matter. 



Distribution in Irei^and. Cork, Dublin, Tipperary, Louth, and 

 wherever specimens of worm-fauna have been collected. 



AiSoIotoopiiora camforjca, Friend. — Weesh Worm. Has the 

 colour and general appearance of the Mucous Worm, and the girdle 

 arrangement of the Green Worm. To determine its specific character 

 dissection is necessary, when it will be found to present features w4iich 

 differ from each of its nearest allies. First found in 1891 in Wales, and 

 recently received from Ireland. I'robably fairly distributed, but apt to be 

 confused with one or other of the better-known species. 



Distribution in Irei*and. Blackrock, Co. Dublin (Miss Kelsall). 



(TO BE continued.) 



