2576 Annelides. 



and species. The new edition gives up two species which I had always supposed 

 merely imaginary, and substitutes two others of undoubted claim to that rank : thus, 

 Eana scotica of Bell makes way for Rana esculenta of Linneus, and Triton palmipes 

 of Bell gives place to Triton palmipes of Deby, the Salamandra palmipes of Daudin 

 (not Damlin as Mr. Bell has spelled the name) ; and the learned author gives ample 

 credit to the ' Zoologist' for introducing these two interesting British reptiles to the no- 

 tice of English naturalists. The genus Lissotriton, I regret to see, is still preserved, as 

 also the species Triton Bibronii, which I cannot regard as even a variety, since I con- 

 sider the dorsal crest merely seasonal, and the form of the lip merely sexual. This 

 view, however, I by no means wish to press, but throw it out for the consideration of 

 my readers, and in the hope they will express their opinions in future numbers of this 

 work. With regard to the genus Lissotriton, it is made solely to depend on the some- 

 what smoother skin, and on the dorsal crest or fin being continuous : Mr. Bell 

 expressly states, that the tongue, teeth, and feet are the same as in the genus Triton : 

 I think a genus thus constituted is scarcely likely to receive the approbation of 

 zoologists. With regard to the new figure of Triton palmipes, I may perhaps be par- 

 doned for mentioning that the female appears to have six toes besides a tubercle on 

 the hind foot ; this is of course an error of the engraver. Notwithstanding these few 

 points, which I regard it a duty to point out, I may truly say that this volume is a 

 beautiful and valuable contribution to science, and one which I have great pleasure in 

 recommending. — Edward Newman. 



On Leaves Adhering to the Casts of Worms. — I believe it to be a generally received 

 opinion that the various substances found attached to the casts of worms have been 

 drawn there unintentionally, but this, I think, I have now ascertained not to be the 

 case, having repeatedly witnessed the manner in which they become so placed. I have 

 been in the habit of visiting my beds of Verbenas, Asters, &c. late in the evening with 

 a light, to destroy those nocturnal depredators the common slugs (Limax agrestis), and 

 was, at first, several times startled by the sudden withdrawal of huge worms from 

 among the foliage, and of course at a loss to imagine for what object they could have 

 climbed there. For a long time I was unable to detect their proceedings, as on the 

 slightest motion of the leaves they were gone, or even treading on the gravel near was 

 sufficient to alarm them, and once disturbed, they are a long time in regaining suffi- 

 cient confidence to resume their operations. At length, however, I observed that the 

 Phlox verna appeared to be a particular favorite, and as it presented the most fa- 

 vorable features for observation, I selected a patch most conveniently accessible. Here 

 I was soon rewarded for my trouble. A tapering head was cautiously protruded from 

 the soil, and moved backwards and forwards in segments of a circle, feeling with its 

 mouth everything in its way, and gradually extending its length so as to take in a fresh 

 portion of ground every time. This was continued until it reached the plant. Here 

 it commenced a close examination of the stem, up one side and clown another, passing 

 from leaf to leaf until it came to one bruised and decaying. This immediately 

 arrested its attention, and was taken hold of and pulled towards the hole, but being 

 still firmly attached to the stem, sprang back from its grasp. After this defeat the 

 same process was repeated until the leaf was again discovered. This time it was not 



