4 ON THE ANATOMY OF MEGASCOLIDES AUSTRALIS, 
the intervals between the inner couples of sete; oviducal pores on XIV.; setze 
in eight longitudinal rows. 
HApsitat. 
In September 1887, and at subsequent periods, I procured many specimens 
of Megascolides australis in the neighbourhood of Warragul and Brandy Creek, - 
and my thanks for valuable assistance are due to Messrs, Hueu and Henry 
Coprstann, and to Messrs. C. A. Topp and A. H. S. Lucas; without their kindly 
aid it would not have been possible for me to have secured entire specimens of 
the worm. I have also to thank the Rev. W. Manreuu for the gift of the first 
specimen of the worm which reached me, and upon the examination of which my 
preliminary account, presented to the Royal Society in October 1887, was based. 
The worm, which is known as the “ Giant Harth-worm of Gippsland,” appears 
to be confined to the latter districts. The other species of the genus are found, one 
in Tasmania, two in Camden, N.S.W., and one in Gippsland. None is as yet 
reported from the Western or Northern: parts of Australia, though probably species 
of the genus will be found in all portions of the continent when carefully searched for. 
Of all the species yet known, this one seems to be the largest, and is 
apparently confined to Gippsland ; it is, when found at all, somewhat abundant, and 
lives principally on the sloping sides of creeks. At times it is found beneath 
fallen logs, and may be turned out of the ground by the plough. 
When first seeking it, we were somewhat puzzled by some of those who 
were evidently well acquainted with the worm assuring us that the entrance to 
its burrow was indicated by a distinct “casting ;” whilst others, evidently equally well 
acquainted with the animal, were quite as positive in asserting that it never produced 
any “casting.” Whilst searching, we found what I believe to be the explanation of 
these contradictory statements, and soon discovered that the surest test of the 
presence of the worm underground was a very distinct gurgling sound, made by the 
animal retreating in its burrow when the ground was stamped upon by the foot. 
When once heard this gurgling sound is unmistakeable, and we at once learnt to 
regard it as a sure sign of the worm’s presence. 
The worm very frequently lives in ground riddled by the holes of the land- 
crab, as it is popularly called ; this animal has a small circular burrow leading down 
to a chamber hollowed out underneath containing a pool of water, and through these 
chambers the worms’ burrows frequently pass. The “crab” almost invariably has a 
large conical “ casting” at the entrance to its hole, and may raise this to a height of 
even a foot and more; but the true worm burrow never, so far as yet observed, has 
any “casting” at its entrance, and all trace of this is wanting where the crab-holes are 
absent. The very frequent association of the “crab” and worm leads to the idea that 
the latter forms a cast ; but one of the most noticeable features of the ground, which 
is at times riddled with worm burrows only, is the entire absence of “ castings.” What 
