122 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



what Mr. Dencly had also noticed — that at certain times the}'- 

 were very scarce, but after a little rain would become very 

 plentiful. At first, he had been very doubtful as to whether 

 their different markings should betaken as indicating different 

 species. Having found five or six different kinds huddled 

 together under one log, he had been disposed to think that 

 the varied colours were indications of different stages in 

 growth. But from later researches, undertaken in company 

 with Mr. Dendy, he had found that the lines were very well 

 marked and distinct, and therefore Mr. Dendy had very 

 properly decided to class those of different markings as of 

 different species. He was glad that Mr. Dendy had been 

 able to record so much during the short time he had had at 

 his disposal. 



Professor Spencer said they were very much indebted to 

 Mr. Dendy for having settled the point as to whether the 

 difference in colour-markings could be taken as indications 

 of difference in species. Another point raised was, as to 

 whether the colouring was protective. He thought the only 

 planaiians he had seen in the open air were the most 

 brightl^'-coloured ones, which would seem to favour that 

 theory. 



Mr. Dendy said he had very rarely seen a dull-coloured 

 planarian out in the day time. Those most brightly- 

 coloured were seen most frequently. 



A Member said that sometimes the colour was changed 

 by the food upon which they fed. His gardener had 

 pointed out to him an animal preying upon some of his 

 flowers, and he had remarked that it changed its colour 

 according to the plant upon which it was feeding. 



Mr. Dendy said that even though it varied in the colour, 

 the pattern remained unchanged. The tints of the stripes 

 sometimes varied to a considerable extent. 



Mr. Lucas asked if Mr. Dendy had noticed an}- difterence 

 in shape between those planarians that remained under 

 stones and logs, and those that went abroad. It seemed 

 to him that those he had never met with abroad were 

 comparatively fiat, which would seem natural enough. 



Mr. Dendy said that Mr. Lucas was quite correct. Those 

 that ventured abroad were rounder in form. Tl)e first land 

 planarian ever described was described l)y Darwin. 



