Capt. F. W. Hutton on Peripatus novte-zealandise. .'i6H 



consequently much of the following description will doubtless 

 be well known ; but in so rare and interesting an animal this 

 will probably not be considered a disadvantage, and I ought 

 to apologize more for Avhat I have failed to observe than for 

 recording my observations. 



Integumentary System. — The integument is quite soft. The 

 coloured epidermis is sometimes covered by a thin white 

 cuticle, which is easily separated. I believe this to be a true 

 moulting of the skin ; but I have never observed it thrown off 

 naturally. On the inside of the legs there is a slight longi- 

 tudinal infolding of the integument, which is very prominent 

 in specimens preserved in alcohol ; but there is no opening in 

 the epidermis, and it has no respiratory function. I have not 

 been able to see any perforations for the double row of tracheae 

 which open along the back (PL XVII. fig. 1, i) ; but no doubt 

 they exist. The epidermis throws off water ; and the viscid 

 fluid of the animal will not adhere to it. 



Muscular System. — Consists principally of a subcutaneous 

 layer (PI. XVII. fig. l,y), which thickens considerably above 

 the legs, and slightly below them. It is prolonged into the 

 legs, forming a hollow cone extending to the feet. It is 

 firmly attached to the dermis throughout. It consists of at 

 least three layers, in the outer of which the fibres are arranged 

 transversely, in the inner longitudinally, and in the middle 

 layer obliquely in two directions crossing one another. This 

 middle layer may perhaps be double ; but I have not been able 

 to separate it. The fibres are '001 inch in diameter, and are 

 not striated. The ejaculatory receptacle is coated with mus- 

 cular fibres arranged in a widely open spiral, which are used 

 for projecting the viscid fluid from the oral papillas. The 

 anterior portion of the salivary bag, to be presently described, 

 is thickened by a horny deposit of a yellow colour; and along 

 this arises an adductor muscle, which is inserted in the inner 

 margin of the teeth. 



Alimentary System. — The mouth is formed by a muscular 

 wrinkled fold of the dermis, and is admirably adapted for 

 sucking. Inside, on the superior surface of the pharynx, two 

 horny, hollow, falcate teeth, with brown tips, are attached 

 longitudinally on either side. When the mouth is closed, 

 these teeth slope obliquely inward and downward at an angle 

 of 45° ; but when the mouth is opened they are vertical ; in 

 no case do the points cross each other : their use is no doubt 

 to hold the prey whose juices are being sucked. They are 

 hollow, with a second tooth inside, which appears to replace 

 the old one (PI. XVII. fig. 2). Following the pharynx is a 

 short oesophagus, which extends to between the first and second 



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