The, Classification and Distribution of Earthivorms. 283 



Palaearctic. 



Nearctic. 



Oriental. 



Hormogaster. 



Pontodi'ilus. 



Photodrilus. 



Criodrilus. 



TetragonuTus. 



Phitellus. 



Moniligaster. 



Typhceiis. 



Glyphidrilus. 



HoplochcBta. 



Deodrilus. 



Ethiopian. 



Microchceta. 



Teleudrilus. 



PygTRfjeodrilus. 



Callidrilus. 



Polytoreutus. 



StuJdmannia. 



Eudriloides. 



Nemertodrilus. 



How far is the distribution of earthworms in accordance 

 with Mr Sclater's regions ? 



It is perfectly clear that the Neotropical region — at least 

 the tropical parts of that region — is very distinct ; it contains 

 as many or more peculiar genera than any other region. 

 An American region (Andrew Murray), or a Boreal region 

 (including the Palaearctic and Nearctic regions of Mr Sclater, 

 with Central and a good portion of South America), such as 

 that proposed by Mr Blyth, will not be at all in accordance 

 with the facts of this paper. Plutelhis may be a Neotropical 

 form, which has made its way northwards, and AcantJiodrilics 

 communis certainly has done so ; but the facies of the two 

 faunas is very distinct. Except Acanthodrilus, unless 

 AllolobopJiora be counted, there are no genera in common ; 

 and while Lumhricus and Allolohophora are the prevailing 

 forms of the north, we have such genera as Anteus, Eudrilus, 

 and Geoscolex in the south. The West Indies clearly go with 

 South America, though they have their own peculiarities. It 

 would be very interesting to have some information about 

 Central America. 



The Nearctic region cannot, so far as Earthworms are 

 concerned, be separated from the Palsearctic ; although there 

 are genera found in one region which do not occur in the 

 other. The importance of this might easily be overrated. 

 Four Palaearctic genera do not occur in the Nearctic region, 

 and three Nearctic genera are absent from the Pala?arctic 

 region ; but it cannot be denied that the prevailing character- 

 VOL. X. u 



