1 8 A SYNOPSIS OF THE BRITISH SYMPHYLA 



be found in the country. Up to this year eight (or nine) 

 European species have been discovered, chiefly from Italy, 

 Denmark, Austria, and Germany, and of these we have 

 discovered six. Both Scutigerella nivea Scopoli, and Scolo- 

 pendrella microcolpa Muhr. might confidently be expected to 

 occur with us. 



It is interesting to note that Prof. Verhoeff, whose great 

 work "Die Diplopoden Deutschlands '"' is now being published, 

 says {in. Hit.) that the form I have named S. biscutata is 

 known to him from South Germany. 



I believe, with Prof. Hansen, that the Symphyla are found 

 more commonly on limestone formations, and chiefly on this 

 account have spent several hours gathering material from the 

 coast near Hart, and on the Wear between Durham and 

 Sunderland : districts on or in close proximity to the 

 magnesian limestone formation. I am also led to believe 

 that there is a more or less defined variation in the 

 habitat of the different species. The two commonest forms, 

 Scut, immaculata and Scol. vulgaris, are found under stones 

 lying comparatively loosely on or in more or less loose, 

 loamy soil, the latter species showing" a tendency towards a 

 riparian habitat ; Scut, biscutata and S. spinipes seem to 

 prefer a heavier soil, and are as a rule found under 

 more deeply embedded stones. Scol. notacantha was found 

 on a river estuary where the soil would be more or less 

 saline, but only two examples (the identification of one 

 being uncertain) were taken. S. subnuda, S. delicatula, 

 and perhaps S. horrida are found under stones, usually 

 small ones, well sunk in a damp clayey ground, whilst 

 my numerous examples of Scol. Isabella var. dunehnensis 

 (which may ultimately prove to be a distinct species) were 

 found under stones, such as cobble stones, deeply embedded 

 in hard, much-trodden earth of a clayey nature, no other 

 species being found with them. 



I find particular pleasure in dedicating one of the new 

 forms to the well-known zoologist Prof. H. J. Hansen of 

 Copenhagen, who has in recent years monographed the Order 

 Symphyla. 



