Art. XXI. — The Structure of an Australian Land Leech. 

 By Ada M. Lambert, M.Sc, Melbourne University. 



Communicated by Professor Baldwin Spencer. 



(With Plates X., XI., XII., XIII., XIV.) 



[Read 9th December, 1897]. 



At the suggestion of Professor Baldwin Spencer, and under 

 his supervision, I have undertaken the following work on the 

 structure of an Australian Land Leech. ^ 



To him my best thanks are due for his kindness in allowing 

 me the use of the Biological Laboratory, where my researches 

 have been carried on, for specimens placed at my disposal, and 

 especially for much helpful advice and criticism. 



I wish also to acknowledge my gratitude to Mr. C. French, 

 Government Entomologist of Victoria, for his untiring efforts to 

 secure specimens. The temporary disappearance of late of the 

 land leech usually so abundant in the gullies round Melbourne, 

 is, owing probably to a succession of exceptionally dry seasons 

 during the past few years. 



Further, I take this opportunity of thanking Dr. J. Chalmers 

 Baird, Mr. M. P. Fox, and Dr. O. V. Lawrence, for Victorian 

 specimens ; also Mr. Eff. D. Lawrence, to whom I am indebted 

 for Tasmanian specimens. 



Land leeches are found in various parts of Victoria, chiefly in 

 the gullies of the ranges, specimens having been obtained from 

 Fern Tree Gully, Beaconsfield, Healesville, Omeo and Gippsland, 

 in Victoria ; the Western Tiers in Tasmania ; and the Blue 

 Mountains in New South Wales. They are found crawling over 

 ferns, mosses, and damp logs, with their characteristic loop-like 



1 The species here dealt with is Philcemon pungent, which was named by Professor 

 Blanchard from specimens sent to him by Professor Spencer. The description of the 

 species has not yet been published. 



