Art. IV.—-Description of a Large Species of Iulus.

By W. Colenso, F.R.S., F.L.S. (Lond.), &c.

[Read before the Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute, 9th October, 1893.]

Iulus (Spirostreptus) fijiensis, Col.

Body cylindrical, stout, back very convex, smooth, glossy, hard, 6in. long, 1 ½in. across back from bases of legs on each, side, dark umber-brown, somewhat mottled, darkest at ends; 5 blackish bands, nearly equidistant, the first about one-third length from head; segments imbricate, 58, about 1 line wide, but a little narrower at extremities. Head broad, rounded, smooth. Eyes composed of many facets, forming a broadly-deltoid dark-blue-black patch above at base of antennæ, its angles rounded, having a regular papillose appearance; facets subglobose in 8 rows, 9 facets broad at base. Antennæ 3 lines long, 7-jointed; joints subclavate, the terminal, one very short, the second echinate, the third and fourth slightly hairy; tips of maxillary processes hairy. Legs, 2 to each, segment, 3 ½ lines long, subterete, curved, 7-jointed, the terminal joint with a single acute sharp claw, and also 1–2 minute accessory ones, or short stout hairs; colour paler-brown. Weight, ½oz.

Hab. Fiji; specimen obtained living at Dannevirke (Seventy-mile Bush), from a bunch of bananas imported.

Obs. I have had this fine myriapod in my possession for some time, having vainly endeavoured by inquiry, both North and South, to obtain some information respecting it, supposing, from its size and habitat, it must be known and described. I now, however, provisionally describe it–in part, as, from it having died with its head much, incurved, I cannot well get at its mouth, &c, without breaking it up, and, having but a single specimen, I am unwilling to do so.