288 
CRUSTACEANS. 
of paired kidneys in the higher members of the latter group. The class contains 
only the single family Peripatidce, which has a wide but somewhat singular dis¬ 
tribution. The genus Peripcitus, for example, is spread over the West Indian 
Islands, ranging from Nicaragua through the northern parts of South America to 
Chili, and has also a single representative in Sumatra; while Peripatopsis is 
confined to Cape Colony, and Peripatoides to Australia and New Zealand. These 
three genera are easily distinguishable by external characters, and differ both 
in internal features, and also in embryonic development. Nevertheless, all the 
species seem to be closely similar in habits, living beneath the bark of trees, in the 
crevices of rotten stumps, and under decaying leaves, but always in damp localities, 
being exceedingly susceptible to drought. Locomotion is slow, and effected entirely 
by the legs, the body being kept rigid; and in walking every inch of the track is 
carefully explored by the antennae, which are so sensitive that they seem able to 
learn the nature of an object without actual contact. The sole function of the 
eyes seems to be to distinguish light from darkness, though it is possible that 
being nocturnal the animal may be able to see to a slight extent in a subdued 
light. When irritated, these creatures spurt from their oral papillae a quantity of 
slime at the offending object, and with the same sticky substance entangle their 
prey, which consists of small insects. A specimen of Peripatopsis capensis has 
been seen to overcome a small scorpion by this means. This slime—secreted by 
two long glands extending from the oral papillae far back into the body—can be 
ejected to a distance of about a foot. Curiously enough it will not adhere to the 
skin of the Peripatus itself. In one of the Australian species {Peripoioides 
oviparus ) the mother lays her eggs in damp spots; but, as a rule, the young are 
born alive, and although the mother takes no special notice of them they crawl 
upon her back for protection. 
R. I. POCOCK. 
Peripatus edwardsii (nat. size, from life). 
