BRITISH ANNELIDS.
31
these minute pests, that thousands and thousands of pounds per
annum are to be saved to the cultivator, and important branches
of industry can be conducted with profit. It is impossible for those
who would grow plants on a large scale, and for profit, to remain
indifferent to the diseases of plants. It is as necessary for the culti-
vator to be able to deal with the diseases to which his crops are
liable as for the grazier to be able to treat his cattle for the diseases
to which they are subject. The losses consequent upon ignorance
or indifference are liable to be as great in one case as in the other,
and it is as much to the interest of one as of the other to take
advantage of the assistance which science can render him, and
practically demonstrate that herein also Knowledge is Power.
BRITISH ANNELIDS.
WITH ESPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE EARTHWORMS OF ESSEX.
By REV. HILDERIC FRIEND, F.L.S.
(Continued from Vol. V., p. 241.)
I HAVE been induced by a dual consideration to give the first
place in our systematic study of the indigenous earthworms of
Essex to the Square-tailed Worm (Allurus tetraedrus, Eisen). This
species, in the first instance, is the sole representative of the genus
in Britain, unless we raise the recently discovered varieties to specific
rank ; so that when we have mastered it there remains a clear field
for the study of the two important genera which constitute the bulk
of our terrestrial annelids—Lumbricus and Allolobophora. In the
second place, the Square-tail ranks first in order of time among the
Essex worms of which I have any knowledge. In 1888 this species
was discovered by the Rev. O. Pickard-Cambridge, B.A., in Dorset,
and submitted to Dr. Benham, who identified it, and declared it to
be new to Britain. I might dispute the latter statement, but must
admit that this is the first reliable record. On December 5th, 1888,
Mr. Cambridge being in Essex, again sought for this worm, and
succeeded in finding it without difficulty. I have in my possession
these original worms, and have had from Mr. Cambridge a detailed
account of the discovery. I have also seen the correspondence
relating thereto, and on this account feel it to be only just and right
to place this species in the premier position.