LEAF-FOOTED GROUP 



3255 



patopsis is confined to Cape Colony, and Peripatoides to Australia and New Zealand. 

 These three genera are easily distinguishable by external characteristics, and differ 

 both in internal features, and also in embryonic development. Nevertheless, all the 

 species seem to be closely similar in habits, living beneath the bark of trees, in the 

 crevices of rotten stumps, and under decaj'ing leaves, but always in damp localities, 

 being exceedingly susceptible to drought. Locomotion is slow, and effected entirely 

 by the legs, the body being kept rigid; and in walking every inch of the track is care- 

 fully explored by the antennae, which are so sensitive that they seem able to learn 

 the nature of an object without actual contact. The sole function of the eyes seems 

 to be to distinguish light from darkness, though it is possible that being nocturnal 

 the animal may be able to see to a slight extent in a subdued light. When irritated, 

 these creatures spurt from their oral papillae a quantity of slime at the offend- 

 ing object, and with the same sticky substance entangle their prey, which con- 

 sists of small insects. A specimen of Peripatopsis capensis has been seen to 

 overcome a small scorpion by this means. This slime secreted by two long 

 glands extending from the oral papillae far back into the body can be ejected to 

 a distance of about a foot. Curiously enough it will not adhere to the skin of the 

 Peripatus itself. In one of the Australian species {Peripatoides oviparus) the 

 mother lays her eggs in damp spots; but, as a rule, the young are born alive, and 

 although the mother takes no special notice of them they crawl upon her back for 

 protection. 



Peripatus edwardsii (natural size, from life). 



