454 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



or well-marked varieties. When I first took up the study some 

 years ago it was assumed that the total number of species did 

 not exceed ten. I believe that two or three other species might 

 be certainly added to the list if the localities as yet unsearched 

 were to be examined. Special attention should be given to the 

 Earthworms of Shetland, the Scottish Highlands, the extreme 

 south-west of England, the Scilly and other isles, of all of which 

 we at present know practically nothing. 



Some years ago I adopted the plan of denoting the girdle- 

 segments, and those carrying the glands known as tubercula 

 pubertatis by means of a fraction. Thus |^|| would denote that 

 the species had a girdle in the adult which extended from the 

 30th to the 36th segment, while the 31st to the 35th segments 

 were marked by tubercula. Sometimes, however, the tubercula 

 are on alternate segments, when they are denoted by the symbol 

 I have not seen any better method of denoting these 



31: 33: 35 



important organs, so shall adopt it in the present list. The 

 genus which is still the least satisfactory is Allurus. I formerly 

 reported five species, but to-day I reckon three, with one well- 

 marked variety. No new light having been thrown on Duges' 

 Amphisbena, I have dropped it from the list. I omit all aliens 

 known to be imported from abroad, such as the ubiquitous 

 Perichceta. 



I. Genus Lumbricus. 



Lip or prostomium cutting right through the peristomium, or 

 forming a complete mortise and tenon. Girdle of five or six 

 segments. On the four innermost a band formed by the tuber- 

 cula pubertatis on the ventral surface. Eight setae in each seg- 

 ment but the first, arranged in four couples, not in equidistant 

 rows. Male pores on the 15th segment with or without papillae. 

 Colour dark brown, red, or violaceous, with iridescence. Body 

 cylindrical in front, flattened behind to enable the creature to 

 retain its hold in the burrow when the head is exposed. Slime 

 exuded especially when irritated, but no coloured fluid thrown 

 out from dorsal pores as is the case with many species of Alio- 

 lobophora. The species at present known in the British Isles, 

 with some of the localities, are as follows : — 





