1904.] EARTHWORMS FROM XEW ZEALAXD. 221 



in the North Island as the Oiyptodi-iline forms are in the South ; 

 moi^eover, most of these worms are found in inland places, or in 

 spots more or less remote from European cultivation ; and, indeed, 

 some of the species were formei-ly used as food by the Maoris, 

 who recognise several different species of Earthworms and give 

 distinctive names thereto. 



Before attempting to explain this Australian faunal resem- 

 Ijlance of the North Island, we must wait till we can obtain more 

 material, both fi-om the southern portion of that island and the 

 northern districts of the South Island. 



Another interesting group of Worms is also represented in 

 the collection, viz., two new species of Rhododrilus — a genus 

 peculiar to New Zealand, but allied to Microscolex, which is an 

 American form. 



Finally, I find it necessary to create a new genus, Dinodri- 

 loides, for a woi-m which bears the same relation to Dinodrilus 

 that N^eodrilus bears to 3Iaoridrilus, in that the hinder pair of 

 prostates has disappeared ; though this is not the only point of 

 difference from Beddard's genus. 



For the majority of the species described below I am indebted to 

 Mr. Elsdon Best, of Ruatahuna, who, at my request, took the 

 trouble to collect, pi-eserve, and despatch to me, in February 1 904, 

 several kinds of worm that were formerly used as food by the 

 Maories, of which he has written an account in the ' Transactions 

 of the New Zealand Institute' for 1901, on p. 64, in his article 

 on "The Food-products of Tuhoe-land." Tuhoe-land or the 

 Urewera Country lies on the eastern part of the North Island, 

 south of the Bay of Plenty, and not far from Rotoi'ua, so famous 

 for its baths. The country is much rougher and less affected by 

 civilisation than elsewhere, and is still peopled by Maories in a 

 less Europeanised condition than in other parts. 



In this article Mr. Best enumerates and gives a brief description 

 of eight different kinds of earthworm as being eaten by the 

 natives : these are " Kuharu, Noru, Wharu, Tarao, Pokotea, Tai, 

 Kurekure, and Whiti." The " two last are famed for their 

 sweetness and flavour," and " were reserved as food for the chiefs. 

 The sweet flavour is said to remain in the mouth for two days," 

 though Mr. Best states that he " cannot speak from experience " 

 as to this fact. 



In preparing these worms for food, "those which contain earth 

 are stripped with the fingers before being prepared for eating, 

 this foi'ces the earth out of them." I suppose this means 

 " stripping " in the way fish are " stripped " of their milt and ova, 

 in hatcheries. 



" To cook these worms some watei" is placed in a bowl and 

 rendered warm (not hot) by means of hot stones. The worms 

 ai-e then cast into the water and allowed to remain there for some 

 hours. Before long the worms will have become dissolved or 

 partially so, but were the water too hot they would not melt. 

 Some cooked greens are added to the mess, and a prized dish is 



