286 PERIPATUS, MYRIOPODS, AND INSECTS. 



(tivelve) species, widely distributed; in its possession of trachea 

 and nephridia it is an interesting connecting link ; in many 

 ways it seems to be an old fashioned survivor of an archaic 

 type. 



The species of Peripatus are beautiful animals. Professor 

 Sedgwick says "The exquisite sensitiveness and continu- 

 ally changing form of the antennae, the well- 

 rounded plump body, the eyes set like small 

 diamonds on the side of the head, the deli- 

 cate feet, and, above all, the rich colouring 

 and velvety texture of the skin, all combine 

 to give these animals an aspect of quite 

 exceptional beauty." As to their habits, Mr. 

 Hatchett Jackson says " They live under 

 stones, in rotting wood, &c., in moist places, 

 are nocturnal in habit, and feed on insects, 

 &c., which they ensnare by the ejectioji of 

 slime from the oral papillae." To their shy 

 habits, their persistence is possibly in part 

 due. They are able to move quickly, some- 

 what after the fashion of Millipedes, especi- 

 ally like Scolopendrella. Young forms roll up 

 when touched, and have been seen to climb 

 up vertical glass plates. 



FIG. 92. 

 External form 

 of Peripatus. 



(After BAL- 

 FOUR.) 



Note antennae 

 and simple feet. 



The species acknowledged by Sedgwick are : Four 

 from South Africa P. capensis^ P. balfouri, and P. 

 brevis from Table Mountain, and P. moseleyi from 

 near Williamstown ; two from Australasia P. nova 

 zealandice from New Zealand, and P. leuckarti from 

 Queensland ; seven from neotropical regions P. edwardsii from Cara- 

 cas, P. imthurmi or demeraranus from Demerara, P. trinidadensis and 

 P. torqiiatus from Trinidad, P. iuliformis from St. Vincent, P. chilensis 

 from Chili, P. quitensis from Ecuador, besides which there are some 

 doubtful forms. The list shows how widely this remarkable genus is 

 distributed. 



As the different species have similar habits, and live in very similar 

 conditions, the differences between them perhaps illustrate purely con- 

 stitutional variations. 



A more Detailed Account of Peripatus. 



Form. The body suggests an Annelid or a caterpillar, but, apart from 

 the appendages, there is no external segmentation. Over the soft skin 

 are numerous minute warts with small bristles. The mouth is ventral 

 and anterior ; the anus terminal and posterior. 



