DEVELOPMENT OF PERIPATUS CAPENSIS. 
759. 
early obtain the full number of members possessed by the adults. The largest speci- 
men found was about 7 centims. long when in a state of rest, the smallest TO centim. 
in length. In no specimen, however, were the reproductive organs immature. Most 
of the smallest specimens were found to be males, but one of only 2 centims. in length 
contained embryos in a far advanced condition. A species of Peripatus from the Cape 
is, I believe, described, in the zoological publications of the ‘Novara’ expedition, 
by Grube as Peripatus capensis. Probably there is only one species at the Cape, 
P. capensis and P. brevis being the same badly described. Specimens of the one here 
treated of are forwarded with this paper for determination of the species. 
Locality. — The specimens made use of were all found at Wynberg, a village situate 
on the road between Simon’s Town and Cape Town, and not far from Constantia, 
and all in one spot in that place. This was a plantation surrounding the house of 
Mr. Maynard, and situated just behind Cogill’s hotel. These particulars are given 
because Peripatus seems to be remarkably local, and is not by any means easy to find. 
A single specimen was found in Dr. Bleek’s garden at Mowbray, and a further locality 
is known to Mr. Trimen, the Curator of the Cape Museum. 
Habits of Peripatus. 
Peripatus is to be sought for in places where the soil is rich in vegetable matter 
and kept constantly moist and shady by a thick growth of trees and the proximity of 
some stream or source of water. The first and largest specimen found was resting 
under a piece of half-rotten board ; others were met with under fallen logs ; but the 
greatest number were found by tearing to pieces stumps and fallen logs of willow-wood, 
which were very damp, half buried in the ground, and in the condition known as 
touchwood. As many as twelve specimens of various sizes were thus found in one log. 
The willow-wood seemed to be preferred to the poplar-wood, of which there was a 
large quantity in the locality, but which was always unproductive. The animals were 
always met with in a quiescent condition, with the tentacles retracted and feet drawn 
together, the body being thus arched above. The animals are roused into activity with 
some little difficulty at first. They avoid the light, and crawl away to the first dark 
corner. They are easily kept alive in confinement amongst damp earth and pieces of 
dead wood ; but if the supply of moisture be not kept up, they shrivel up and die at 
once. They are nocturnal in their habits, remaining concealed amongst the earth and 
dead wood, with which they are kept during the day, but leaving this and crawling 
about their box at night. When suddenly handled or irritated, they shoot out fine 
threads of a remarkably viscid and tenacious milky fluid. The threads' of fluid are 
emitted with such remarkable suddenness that it is almost impossible to observe their 
passage from the animal’s head ; but on close observation with a lens, especially in 
the case of large specimens, they may be seen to be projected from the tips of the oral 
papillae. The threads cross one another in various directions, and form a sort of mesh- 
work, often of considerable complexity, which suddenly appears, as if by magic, 
MDCCCLXXIV. 5 K 
