148 ILLINOIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



since the retreat of the glacial ice mass. The conditions found in 

 the earthworm fauna of Europe are interesting in this connec- 

 tion. In the various parts of Southern Europe are found dozens 

 of endemic species, while Northern Europe is occupied exclu- 

 sively, with a single possible exception, by forms also found 

 further south. The line separating the northern territory with 

 peregrine forms from the southern region with endemic forms is 

 found to correspond quite closely to the southern border of the 

 ice sheet at its most southern extension during the glacial period. 

 This would seem to indicate that the time since the glacial period 

 has been too brief for the differentiation of endemic forms from 

 the southern invaders. Our knowledge of the earthworm fauna 

 of North America is altogether too imperfect to permit a state- 

 ment as to corresponding conditions here. 



It is my wish to gain a more extended knowledge of the distri- 

 bution of earthworms in this State, and particularly of the 

 endemic forms. We know nothing of the northern limits of the 

 range of Diplocardia, and nothing of the earthworm fauna of 

 the unglaciated area of Southern Illinois. If any of the members 

 of the Academy will aid in the securing of material which will 

 throw light on the two topics suggested, I shall be very glad to 

 secure it and return named material in exchange. 



