NEW SPECIES OP LUMBKICUS. 311 



Colour purplish or ruddy brown with iridescence, paler ven- 

 trally, and with the clitellum lighter thau the anterior portion. 



Form cylindrical, more or less flattened posteriorly. 



First dorsal pore may begin between segments 5 and 6 or pos- 

 teriorly to this. 



Nephridiopore in a line with the inner couple of setse. 



Anus terminal. 



Spermatophores, in the breeding-season, attached to the body 

 between the male pores and the hinder extremity of the clitellum. 



Body often covered with mucus, never exuding a coloured, 

 granulated fluid. 



JBritish iSjyecies of Lumbricus. 



1. LUMBEICUS TEEBESTEIS, Lmn. 



The largest indigenous species. Regarded as very common, 

 but in most cases confounded with one or other of the Lumbricoid 

 Allolobophoras, especially Allolohophora longa, Ude, which is 

 much more common and widely distributed. 



The internal structure is normal. It is usually 4 to 6 inches 

 or more in length ; of a warm brown colour, iridescent. The 

 male pores are easily seen, owing to pale-coloured papillae on 

 segment 15. The girdle always extends from the 32nd to the 

 37th segment in the typical species. This point must be em- 

 phasized to avoid further confusion. Tuhercula puhertatis forming 

 a band on segments 33, 34, 35, 36, Tail flattened ; setse in four 

 double rows. First dorsal pore between segments 8/9 (Ude). 

 Copulatory setae on papillae on segment 26. 



Synonyms numerous. The distribution has been only partially 

 worked out, owing to confusion in former identifications. I 

 retain the name given to the earthworm by Linnaeus because the 

 other worms which were confounded with it have now all been 

 removed to the genus Allolohophora, so that there is no need to 

 alter the original designation. 



The subject of the possible hybridization of this species with 

 other species of Lumbricus or Allolohophora has hitherto received 

 too little attention *. Some so-called varieties are now known to 

 be true species, and will be found among the separated genus. 



2. LuMBEicus EUBESCENs, Friend. (PI. XXI. fig. 12.) 

 Next in size to the foregoing, and intermediate between it and 



the following. Similar in colour, shape, and the arrangement of 

 * See an article on this subject in ' Field Club,' 1892. 



