540 FRANK E. BEDDARD. 



Eudrilus itself has been only lately received from the 

 African continent ; but no less than eight new genera of this 

 family have been within the last year recorded from thence. 

 I have myself on two separate occasions received worms from 

 Lagos, which proved to be the types of three new genera ; 

 this shows the great abundance of forms which must remain 

 to be discovered. 



In a recent number of this Journal (1) I described two 

 genera — Hyperiodrilus and Heliodrilus — which I ob- 

 tained from the Royal Gardens at Kew ; they were found in 

 earth which had come from Lagos. In all probability the 

 genus Siphonogaster, of which I have given a brief notice 

 in the last published number of the ' Proceedings of the Zoo- 

 logical Society/ will prove to be a Eudrilid ; this worm was 

 discovered by Mr. Alvan Millson, Assistant Colonial Secretary 

 at Lagos, who has contributed to the * Kew Bulletin' of 

 October, 1890, a very interesting account of its habits. The 

 same gentleman was so good as to bring over with him a large 

 box full of living earthworms from Lagos, which included 

 some specimens of the " Yoruba worm ;" unfortunately these 

 latter disappeared during the voyage, but the other species 

 survived ; it proves to be the type of a perfectly distinct and 

 new genus, which presents some remarkable peculiarities of 

 structure . In the box were also some examples of a small worm, 

 y which appears to be an Allolobophora, and some very young 

 examples of the new Eudrilid. The opportunity thus aflforded 

 me of contributing something towards the development of the 

 reproductive system and nephridia of Libyodrilus violaceus 

 causes me to feel less regret that it was impossible to keep the 

 species alive in order that they might breed. 



I am greatly indebted to Mr. Alvan Millson for his 

 kindness. 



