Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 2 (1898).djvu/152

120 2. Limnodrilus udekemianus, Clap.—Received from Ballintoy, Ireland, and reported in 'Irish Naturalist,' 1897.

3. L. wordsworthianus, Friend.—A species new to science found by myself in a pond at Old Carlisle, Wigton, Cumberland. It lives in mud at roots of plants, and when taken coils up as Tubifex does. When examined under the microscope the absence of capilliform setæ at once shows it is not Tubifex, while the fact that it has more than two setæ in each anterior bundle differentiates it from Stylodrilus, a worm which is moreover readily distinguished by its appendant penis. The worm is from two to three inches long, but owing to its habit of coiling up is very difficult to measure. Four to six forked setæ are found in each of the front bundles. The blackish chloragogen cells begin in segment v. These cells often become detached and float in the cœlomic fluid. They are globular, and when injured burst and dissolve into a thousand tiny specks. The first nephridium lies in segment vii. Dilated hearts in viii-ix. The tail, as in most Tubificids, lighter in colour than the rest of the body. A pair of trumpet-shaped penis-sheaths about four (or five) times as long as broad. In the living worm the brain appears almost circular, or like a square with the two hindmost angles rounded off. It changes in appearance, however, with every new movement of the worm. Eggs were found in as many as six segments or more. A remarkable feature is found in the delicate papillæ with which the peristomium and fore part of prostomium are covered. I have named it after the poet, because I had the honour to be President of the Wordsworth Institute (in his birthplace) when the worm was discovered.

4. Hemitubifex benedii (D'udekem).—Received from Malahide, Ireland.

5. Branchiura sowerbii, Beddard.—Since Mr. Beddard reported this beautiful worm from the tank in Regent's Park, I have received specimens from Mr. Nicholson, taken in tanks from Kew Gardens, March, 1897.

I have also records for certain species of Psammoryctes and Hyodrilus, but as they are either new to science or still under investigation, the localities will for the present be held in reserve. As to habitats, it seems almost impossible to examine the wrong place if water and mud are present. The worms, however, have