NEW SPECIES OF LUMBEICITS. 309 



assumed the identity of the two worms and utilized the nomen- 

 clature in order to avoid adding another to the bewildering list of 

 names already in use. 



Templetou, years ago, found a worm " common in rich grounds, 

 generally where docks grow," whicli he describes in the following 

 terms : — " Body long, contractile, cylindrical, witli a compressed 

 lanceolate apex [posterior], unfurnished with a belt at the position 

 of the sexual organs. Each ring with very small spines projecting 

 backwards." 



"When I first discovered the species I have been describing the 

 girdle was still undeveloped, though the region it was to occupy 

 was well defined and slightly lighter in colour. It corresponded 

 so exactly with Templeton's further account that I concluded he 

 must have seen the same worm. He adds : — " It is never larger 

 than half the size of L. terrestris ; and is of a bright reddish- 

 brown, with the hinder part, or apex, very flat." 



The characters will be summarized when we come to survey 

 the genus with a view to the better understanding of the various 

 species found in Grreat Britain. 



Lumhricus rubescens was first discovered between Idle and 

 Eccleshill, near Bradford, Torks, in 1890. During the present 

 year (1892) I have taken it freely at Dallington, in Sussex 

 (Marcli 28th), while I obtained one specimen near a little gutter 

 on the Common at Tunbridge Wells, Kent (March 26th), and an- 

 other at Hornsey, in Middlesex (March 31st). I have also received 

 specimens from Avonmouth, Norwich, and Paisley. The Dalling- 

 ton specimens were obtained by shaking the ground in a sheltered 

 meadow with a gardening fork, when they came out in fine condi- 

 tion. On one of these specimens I found a pair of spermatophores 

 attached to the ventral surface of segment 32, and differing in 

 shape and appearance from those so accurately figured by Vej- 

 dovsky as found on the Green Worm {Allolohopliora cliloroticd). 

 The total number of segments is about 120, the worm being 

 usually from 3 to 4 inches in length. It is exceedingly active, and 

 is usually found along with the Eed Worm {L. rubellus, Hoffm.), 

 with which it may be easily confounded, and with which I have 

 also found it in copulation. 



Synonyms. — Assuming the identity of this species with the one 

 referred to above, the synonyms are Lumbricios omihcrus=Omi- 

 lurus rubescens, Templeton, Loudon's Mag. ISTat. Hist. ix. p. 235 

 {fide Johnston, 'A Catalogue of British AVorms,' 1865, p. 63). 



24* 



