FRIEND: WHITE WORMS AS PLANT PESTS. 259 
fortunately took some plants home for microscopical examination, 
when it was immediately patent that the worms belonged to the 
Enchytreidze. The worm is very nearly allied to, if not identical 
with, Dr. Michaelsen’s Zuchytreus argenteus, but as it is new to 
Britain, and may also be new to science, I have named it 
provisionally, on account of its minuteness, Enchytra eUus parc 
the name m/nu‘us having been already appropriated b 
This tiny worm, which is a true Azchytreus, as distin eushed pas 
Henlea, Fridericia, and others, is from 3 to 5 mm., out one- 
eighth of an inch in length. It is destitute of sain tined 75 
when working at the roots has a silvery appearance. There 
a large head pore between the prostomium and the first ae 
through which the contents of the coelom and head are poured when 
any undue pressure is brought to bear upon the worm. The girdle 
is in the normal position on segment xu., where the ventral bundles 
of setee are wanting and a pair of large pores associated with vase- 
shaped glands may be seen. The girdle is somewhat papillose, the 
first six or seven segments are pellucid, while the corpuscles which 
surround the viscera of the remaining segments are dark. The 
brain is pear-shaped, rounded off or convex behind, and attached to 
the nerve-cord which tends to enlarge between the third and fourth 
ents. The character by which those who are not specialists in 
ks anatomy will best recognise it, however, is that which relates 
to the setze. 
Segments they are in triplets, four sets of three, making twelve setz 
in each ting, whereas eight is the number in the earthworms. In 
Set are in triplets the lateral are in pairs. Thus the arrangement is 
‘3+ 3: 3: 2 in front, and 3: 3: 3: 3 behind. This number is 
» and not, as in some species, variable. 
It remains for me to add that if any florist or gardener detects 
Such a pest at the roots of his plants there is nothing for it but to 
pea them at once and consign them to the flames. As different 
€s may, however, be expected to attack different plants, and as 
diferent localities will yield different species, it is desirable in the 
interests of science that they be submitted to an_ expert. for 
‘xamination and idieuifiction. So far as I - be able to render 
assistance in this respect I shall be happy to do so, and plants 
d to my address (Ocker Hill, T Peay will receive my best 
_attention, Should consignments be forwarded to me, kept moist in 
tn boxes, a stamped envelope must be enclosed if reply is desired, 
a —_ €very particular calculated to throw light on the . should 
3897. 
