288 CRUST A CEANS. 



of paired kidneys in the higher members of the latter group. The class contains 

 only the single family Peripatidce, which has a wide but somewhat singular dis- 

 tribution. The genus Peripatus, for example, is spread' over the West Indian 

 Islands, ranging from Nicaragua through the northern parts of South America to 

 Chili, and has also a single representative in Sumatra; while Peripatopsis is 

 confined to Cape Colony, and Peripatoides to Australia and New Zealand. These 

 three genera are easily distinguishable by external characters, 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 decaying 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 

 carefully 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 offending object, and with the same sticky substance entangle their 

 prey, which consists 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 {Peripoioides 

 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. 



R I. POCOCK. 



Peripatus edwardsii (nat. size, from life). 



