The Ea rth worms of Ire I a nd 291 



prostomium. Duges examined many specimens, and persisted in the 

 assertion that the worms differed specifically. I have found specimens 

 in the south of England which correspond almost exactly with Dugcs' 

 description. Rosa does not record it for Italy, nor Kiscn for vScandiiiavia 

 and we need further light on the sul)ject. It has not reached me froni 

 Ireland, but is included here to make the study of the genus complete. 



Respecting the synonymy, the only confusion that exists has arisen 

 from the tendency of authors to identify this species with the foregoing. 

 Henceforth they must be kept distinct.] 



[3. Allurus flavus, Friend— In 1890 I found a species oiAllurusxn 

 the bed of the River Eden, about two miles west of Carlisle, which dif- 

 fered in several particulars from either of the foregoing. I gave a l^rief 

 description of it at the time ; then regarding it as corresponding with 

 A. tetracdriis, var. lutetis of Bisen. Fuller investigation has led me to con- 

 clude that it is a new species. I found one solitary example in 1891 in 

 the bed of a small stream at Calverley, near Leeds, since which time I 

 have not observed another living example among all the thousands of 

 specimens which have passed through my hands. When the opportunity 

 recurs for me to examine living material I shall be able to speak with 

 greater certainty respecting the specific differences, as my knowledge of 

 the group has greatly developed during the past two years. There are 

 certainly internal differences, and I am disposed to think the Teneriffe 

 examples ^examined by Mr. Beddard come very near or belong directly 

 to this species. A. flavus, Friend, is of a rich yellow or gold colour 

 throughout, nearly transparent, so that the blood-vessels can be clearly 

 seen. Lip very palid; girdle orange-coloured, usually on segments 

 23-26, with a band {tubercula pubertatis) on 23, 24, 25. The tail is often more 

 cylindrical in shape than in the foregoing species, and it is usually a good 

 deal smaller than the type, though possessing a similar number of seg- 

 ments. Hitherto it has been found only in the localities named, and it 

 is without synonyms, so far as I am aware.] 



[4. Allurus tetragon urus, Friend— As already stated, this worm 

 has recently reached me from Bangor, N. "Wales. It is about an inch to 

 an inch and a-half in length, but a good deal wider in proportion to its 

 length than any other species yet examined. The lip is pallid, and does 

 not cut deeply into the first segment or peristomium. The male pores on 

 the 13th segment are small, but clearly discernible. The girdle is very 

 prominent and closely fused ; it extends from the iSth to the 22nd seg- 

 ment, and surrounds the entire body — not after the fashion of Perichccta^ 

 but as is frequently the case with A. tetraedrus, Savigny. The tubercida 

 pubertatis form a distinct band on either side of the middlemost girdle seg- 

 ments 19, 20, 21. The total number of segments is from 80 to 90, and 

 these diminish in size from the girdle in either direction. Excepting 

 near the anal extremity, a section taken through the worm's body would 

 in no case be quadrangular, as in the case of the type. At least one-half 

 of the body has an oval contour, somewhat flattened on the under sur- 

 face. The head is warm-brown, the girdle yellow-brown, and the hinder 

 part light sienna-brown. In colour, therefore, it resembles var. hiteusy 

 Bisen. Owing to lack of suitable material, I am at present unable to 

 report on the internal structure. Unless this worm should prove to be 

 identical with Tetragonurus pupa, Bisen, it is at present without synonyms, 

 and Bangor is the only known locality.] 



5. Allurus macrurus, Friend— Among a very valuable series of 

 worms sent to me by J. Trumbull, Bsq., L.R.C.S., from Malahide on 

 November 22nd, 1892, I found a single specimen of an Allurus which 

 is totally different from any British species yet described ; and as it 

 is also, so far as I am able at present to determine, distinct from every 

 other species known to science, I send this preliminary note respecting 

 it. Fuller details must be reserved till a further supply of material can 

 be obtained. 



