252 PROF. A. D. IMMS ON A NEW SPECIES OF 



On a new Species of Symphyla from the Himalayas. By A. D. Ibims, B.A., 

 D.Sc, Professor of Biology, Muir College, University of Allahabad. 

 (Communicated by A. E. Shipley, M.A., F.R.S., F.L.S.) 



(Platk 31.) 



[Eead 19tli November, 1908.] 



DuEiNG a brief visit in October, 1907, to the native state of Tehri Garhwal, 

 the present writer came across several examples of a new species of 

 Symphyla. On account of the phylogenetic importance connected with this 

 order of Myriapoda, the occurrence is perhaps of more than the average 

 interest attached to the discovery of an isolated new species of the latter 

 class. The state of Tehri Garhwal extends over the south-western declivity 

 of the Himalayas, is to a large extent covered with forests, and has been 

 but little explored biologically. The specimens in question were found 

 beneath moist stones bordering on a mountain stream, near the village of 

 Dhanaulti, at an altitude of approximately 9000 feet. They were met with 

 in company with a species of " earwig," one of Collembola, and also a 

 species of Thysanura. Very possibly the species frequents other situations 

 also, but, owing to an unusually severe drought that prevailed at the time, 

 there were no other moist localities in the neighbourhood, and it is well 

 known that such delicate and fragile animals are unable to survive in very 

 dry situations. Altogether seven individuals were met with, and their 

 occurrence constitutes but the second record of the Symphyla from India. 

 In 1876 Wood-Mason * mentioned the presence of a species of Scolopendrella 

 in Bengal but gave no further details. 



The specimens here described belong to the genus Scutigerella and on 

 the whole are more closely allied to S. luujukulata, Hansen, from Venezuela 

 than to any other form. 



Scutigerella subijnguiculata, sp. nov. 



Seven specimens measuring 3-5 mm. in length (excluding the anteunge). 



Head. — Just about as broad as long when viewed from above. The 

 posterior angles rounded ; a well developed lateral angle at the point of 

 articulation of the mandible. The surface of the head covered with 

 numerous scattered setae very evenly spaced apart. The longest seta in 

 front of the lateral angle about, or very nearly, as broad as the basal 

 antennal joint. 



Antenim (PI. 31. figs. 3, 4, k 5). — The number of joints varies from 

 21 to 31, and does not appear altogether to be dependent upon the size 



* Proc. Asiatic Soc. Bengal, 1876, p. 175. 



