ZOOLOaY OF FERNANDO NOEONHA. 



563 



variation may occur in Earthworms ; since with the exception of 

 Beddard's paper on Perionyx (Jouru. Linn. Soc, Zool. 1886, 

 p. 308), we know absolutely nothing of the subject, and the 

 present specimen forms a step between Z7. corethrura and 

 D. duhia. 



The two small worms resemble the specimen A in colour and 

 in external characters ; the clitellum is, however, undeveloped, 

 so that they are probably young specimens of the same worm. 



The worm B is longer than A, and of a somewhat different 

 colour, being of a rather more reddish or violet-brown tint. 



The body-wall is transparent, and showed white pyrifortn sacs 

 through it much more distinctly than is the case with A. 



The worm is, however, so soft that no setaB protrude, and I 

 was unable to satisfy myself as to their exact arrangement 

 posteriorly ; anteriorly they are paired ; posteriorly they are 

 scattered, but whether regularly or not I cannot be positive. 



The clitellum occupies somites xiv. to xxix., and is thus 

 rather more extensive than in A ; but the worm is so soft that 

 it is difficult to count with accuracy the somites, as some of 

 the rings may be merely annuli. Thus far, then, we have no 

 indication as to its genus ; but on opening it, the arrangement of 

 the septa, seminal reservoirs, and spermathecse are seen to agree 

 with what is found in A. 



This second worm is therefore UrocTicBta, and doubtless the 

 same species as the preceding. 



It will be seen that I have made no morphological studies of 

 these w^orms, nor sought to do more than identify them. Indeed, 

 they were too badly preserved to be of any use histologically, 

 a,nd T should not liave felt justified in sectionizing them even if 

 they had been in good condition. 



The fact that these worms belong to the genus Urochceta, 

 which has been already described from Brazil and some of the 

 neighbouring islands, lends considerable supj^ort to Mr. Kidley's 

 supposition that they have been imported from the mainland in 

 the mould in which cultivated plants were brouglit to the island. 

 In conclusion I must express my best thanks to Mr. Ridley 

 for allowing me to examine and identify them. 



