Friend: The Annelid 1'auna of Worcesfersliire. 173 



in this department, gave the name Helodrilus to a worm found 

 in wet, marshy ground. It was for a long time placed among 

 the uncertain species ; but during recent years it has l)een 

 re-discovered, and proves to be a native of this country. We 

 therefore have to add this genus to the four already named. 

 Then we iind Rosa pressing forward his researches, and adopting 

 the term Eophila, while Notogama gives place to Eisenia. and 

 the term Bimasius (Moore) is introduced to cover some anoma- 

 lous species which are destitute of spermathecae and tubercula 

 pubertatis. 



At the present time, therefore, the old genus Allolobophora 

 •of Eisen is divided into no fewer than seven sub-genera, viz., 

 Allolobophora, Dendrobaena, Octolasion. Helodrilus, Eisema 

 (:^ Notogama), Eophila and Biniastus. Their main characteristics 

 will be gathered from the remarks already made, and as there 

 is reason to believe that every one of these different genera is 

 represented by one or more species in Worcestershire, I will 

 now proceed with the classification which I think is most in 

 harmony with our present knowledge. I shall deal first with 

 the species which I think should still be retained as typical of the 

 old genus Allolobophora , as understood by Eisen, and modified 

 by Rosa and other investigators. This will enable us first to 

 study the best -known species, and so gradually come to those 

 which are less familiar, and those which have recently been 

 cUscovered. 



Genus Allolobophora Eisen. Sub-genus Allolubophora, 

 as defined by Rosa. Characters — Worms of varying size and 

 colour. Prostomium inserted in the peristomium more or less 

 deeply, but not completely bisecting it. Setae in pairs; form 

 of body usually cylindrical. Male pores on fifteenth segment, 

 on conspicuous papillae in the case of indigenous species. 

 Tubercula pubertatis on certain girdle segments, either forming 

 a band (.4. longa and A. trapezoides), or placed on alternate 

 segments {A. chlorotica and A. turgida), and classified by 

 Oerley as Aporrectodea. Four pairs of vesiculae seminalis ; 

 testes and funnels free. Spermathecae two or three pairs, 

 opening on the line of the dorsal setae. Spermatophores 

 present. According to de Ribaucourt, all belong to the class 

 which has a peduncle embedded in the integuments, and not 

 merely attached to the cuticle.* 



* My researches, however, do not conlirm this statement ; but this 

 does not affect our present study. — H. F. 



1910 Apl. 1. 



