FIG. 40.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFTrichoniscoidesalbidus.
The members of this genus are very much like those ofTrichoniscus. In the latter, however, the hinder legs are longer in proportion and the eyes are compound.
Trichoniscoides albidusBudde-Lund.Plate VI.
1879Trichoniscus albidusBudde-Lund (7) p. 9.1898Trichoniscoides albidusSars (59), p. 165, pl. LXXIII., fig. 2.
We are able to include this species, as a specimen was found by Mr. Webb at Eton Wick in the summer of 1899. It is one of a number of species which the Rev. Canon Norman (49, p. 18) suggested as likely to be British. It is the only representative of its genus, which does not differ in any very important characters from the others in the family. The narrow elongated body will serve to separate it fromTrichoniscus vividusandTrichoniscus roseus, but on account of its size, which is much the same as that ofTrichoniscus pusillusand the two British species ofHaplophthalmus, it will be advisable to give some further points of distinction. From the first its white colour will serve to differentiate it; the other two lack the narrow abdomen seen inTrichoniscoides albidus. Moreover, not one of the three shows the serrations on the side plates which characterise the species underconsideration.Platyarthrus hoffmannseggiiis small and white and the edges of its side plates are toothed, but it is oval in shape, possesses no eyes, and its stout antennæ have but a single joint to the flagellum instead of four. On the Continent this species has been found in rich soil.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Eton; (Stebbing, 71a): Sunderland; (Brady, 50a).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; Wimereux and Lyons, Forêt (25): Norway; Denmark; (59).
Genus—HAPLOPHTHALMUSSchöbl, 1850 (66), p. 449.
Abdomen broad (comparatively); eyes simple; flagellum with three joints; back with longitudinal ridges.
The body ofHaplophthalmusis long in proportion to its width, but there is no abrupt decrease in the breadth of the abdomen as seen inTrichoniscusandTrichoniscoides. The eyes are simple as in the latter genus and the lateral lobes of the head are rather large, while the side plates of the body are well separated.
Haplophthalmus mengiiZaddach.Plate VII.
1844Itea mengiiZaddach (77), p. 16.1860Haplophthalmus elegansSchöbl (66), p. 449.1885Haplophthalmus mengiiBudde-Lund (8), p. 250.1898Haplophthalmus mengiiSars (59), p. 167, pl. LXXIV., fig. 1.
FIG. 41.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFHaplophthalmusmengii.
The Rev. Canon Norman discovered two specimens of this species in Ireland in June, 1900 (50); in the previous year one of us (Mr. Webb) found a single example at Eton Wick.
The main differences between the members of this genus and their allies are set forth in the generic description and incidentally elsewhere, so we shall content ourselves with giving the distinctive points of the two British species.Haplophthalmus mengiihas a number of raised longitudinal ribs on each segment of the thorax, the outer ridges being somewhat broken. There are also two prominent ribs upon the third segment of the abdomen.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Eton; (Stebbing, 71a): Sunderland; (Brady, 50a).
Ireland: Corcumroe Abbey; Co. Clare (Norman, 50).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Norway; Prussia; Germany; Bohemia; (59).
FIG. 42.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFHaplophthalmusdanicus.
Haplophthalmus danicusBudde-Lund.Plate VIII.
1870Haplophthalmus elegansBudde-Lund (6), p. 228 (notHaplophthalmus elegansSchöbl).1879Haplophthalmus danicusBudde-Lund (7), p. 9.1881Haplophthalmus mengiiWeber (76), p. 192, pl. V., figs. 7-9 (notItea mengiiZaddach).1885Haplophthalmus danicusBudde-Lund (8), p. 250.1898Haplophthalmus danicusSars (59), p. 168, pl. LXXIV., fig. 2.
This species was added to the British list by the Rev. Canon Norman (49), who found a colony in his garden at Berkhamsted. It has rows of tubercles on its thorax instead of ridges, and there are no ribs at all upon the abdomen. The front of the head projects further comparatively and forms a more acute point than inHaplophthalmus mengiiand it is not so purely white in colour as the latter species.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Warley Place; (W.M.W. from Miss Willmott): Queen's Cottage, Kew Gardens; Stanmore; Hanwell, garden at Odstock, Bennett's Nurseries; (W.M.W.): Berkhamsted; (Norman, 49): Sunderland; (Brady, 50a).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Denmark; Holland; Germany; (Dollfus, Feu de Jeun, Nat., April, 1896): Norway; (Sars, 59).
Section—ONISCI.THE OUTER DIVISIONS OF THE TAIL APPENDAGES BROADER THAN THE INNER ONES.Family—ONISCIDÆ.Tail appendages projecting when the animal is walking.(1.) Unable to roll up into a complete ball.Genus—ONISCUSLinné 1746 (41), p. 360.
Flagellum, with three joints; abdomen broad; head with lateral lobes.
The characters given above taken in conjunction with the size of the animals will serve to distinguish the members of this genus.
Oniscus asellusLinné (The "Common Slater.")Plate IX.
1761Oniscus asellusLinné (41), p. 500, No. 2058.1792Oniscus murariusCuvier (9), p. 22, pl. XXVI.1838Oniscus fossorKoch (34), part 22, pl. XXII.1868Oniscus asellusBate and Westwood (1), p. 468.1868Oniscus fossorBate and Westwood (1), pp. 471-2.1898Oniscus asellusSars (59), p. 171, pl. LXXV.
Oniscus asellusis one of the largest of our woodlice and it is also probably the commonest, thoughPorcellio scaberis in many places quite as abundant. The body ofOniscusis broad and expanded and the colour is usually a slate grey with yellowish markings more or less regularly arranged.
FIG. 43.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFOniscus asellus.
From the genusPorcelliothe species with which we are concerned is at once distinguished by the three jointed flagellum.Porcelliohas but two joints and has, besides, a prominent lobe projecting from the middle of the head, which is not seen inOniscus.Philoscia, although it has three joints to the flagellum, has a narrow abdomen and lacks entirely the lateral lobes which are a feature of the other genera of Oniscidæ.
Oniscus fossorof Koch (34) was recognized by Kinahan and by Bate and Westwood as a species. Dr. Scharff submitted specimens to Professor Budde-Lund who found no differences between them andOniscus asellus. The former (63) mentions, however, that the characteristics of the supposed species are those of young examples ofOniscus asellus, and Professor Sars (59, p. 173) seems to be of the same opinion. Many young examples ofOniscus asellusthat we have examined have a curious whitish transverse band owing to the light colour of the dorsal plates of the first abdominal segments. The flagellum also does not seem to shew in young animals a distinct division into three joints.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: High Beach, Epping, including an albino; Maldon; Brightlingsea; Iver; Hanwell; Eton; Kew; Pamber Forest; Kingston-on-Soar; Bluebell Hill, Maidstone; (W.M.W.): Lynmouth; (W.M.W. from J.T.C.).
Scotland: (Scharff, 63). Dinnet, Aberdeenshire; (W.M.W. from Madame Christen).
Ireland: (Scharff, 63). Yellow form with black spots, Donegal (R.W.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: Almost throughout; (12): France; (25): Spain; (12): Sweden Norway; Denmark; Germany; Holland; Italy; Iceland; (59): Faroe Islands; Thorsharn; (R.F.S.)
Africa: Azores; (24).
America: Greenland; (59): North America; (Budde-Lund).
Genus—PHILOSCIALatreille, 1804 (37), p. 43.
Flagellum with three joints; abdomen narrow; head without lateral lobes.
If any further differences of an obvious kind be required to distinguishPhilosciafromOniscus, one at least will be found in the much greater development of the hinder legs in the former genus.
Philoscia muscorumScopoli.Plate X.
[Not of Lereboullet, which is anOniscus, see Bate and Westwood (1).]
1763Oniscus muscorumScopoli (67), p. 415.1793Oniscus sylvestrisFabricius (26), p. 397.1793Oniscus agilisKoch in Panzer (51), part 9, pl. XXIV.1833Philoscia marmorataBrandt (3), p. 183.1838Ligia melanocephalaKoch (34), part 22, pl. XVIII.1847Zia melanocephalaKoch (38), part 40, pl. I. p. 212.1868Philoscia muscorumBate and Westwood (1), p. 450.1898Philoscia muscorumSars (59), p. 174, pl. LXXVI., fig. 1.
FIG. 44.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPhiloscia muscorum.
This species lives chiefly at the roots of grass and under the stones or sticks that lie among it.Philoscia muscorumhas a very smooth and shining body, and its long legs enable it to move very rapidly. The ground colour of its dorsal surface varies from light yellow to deep brown. There are characteristic dark markings down the middle of the thorax and on the sides, between which are lighter patches. In dark coloured specimens the markings are by no means so evident.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: High Beach, Epping; Warley; (W.M.W.): Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Kew; Langley; Hanwell, yellow variation; Bluebell Hill, Maidstone; (W.M.W.): Liphook; (C.S.): Pamber Forest; Kingston-on-Soar; (W.M.W.)
Scotland: (Scott, 68).
Ireland: Almost throughout; (Scharff, 63).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Spain; (12): Sicily; (19): Hertsogovinia; (22): Sweden; (21): Norway; Denmark; Prussia; Germany; Holland; Poland; Austria; Italy; (59): Sardinia; (21).
Africa: Algeria; Tunis; (24).
Philoscia couchiiKinahan.Plate XI.
1858Philoscia couchiiKinahan (33), p. 195, pl. XXIII., fig. 4.1868Philoscia couchiiBate and Westwood (1), p.1885Ligidium couchiiBudde-Lund (8), p. 257.1885Philoscia longicornisBudde-Lund (8), p. 221.1897Philoscia couchiiDollfus (21), p. 72, pl. I., fig. 1.
FIG. 45.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPhiloscia couchii.
Philoscia couchiiis an inhabitant of the sea-side; it is smaller than the last species, its colour to the naked eye is a uniform lead-grey, and its antennæ are very large (compared with its size) and hairy.
This species was discovered by Professor Kinahan when in the company of Messrs. Bate and Westwood near Polperro in Cornwall in the year 1858, and dried specimens presented by him are in the British Museum (Natural History).
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Talland Cove; Polperro; (Bate and Westwood, 1): Salcombe, Devon; (Norman, 49): Meadefoot, Torquay; (Stebbing in 49).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Spain; (12): Sicily; (19): Sebastopol; (Norman, 49).
Africa: Azores; Canaries; Morocco; Algiers; Tunis: Egypt Senegal; (24).
Atlantic Isles: Canaries; Azores; (21).
Asia: Syracuse; Bazone (18).
Genus—PLATYARTHRUSBrandt, 1833 (3), p. 174.
[TyphloniscusSchöbl (66), p. 279.]
Flagellum with one joint; eyes wanting; abdomen broad; habitat, ants' nests.
The broad body, which is much flattened, and the very thick antennæ distinguishPlatyarthrusfrom the other small woodlice (Trichoniscidæ).
Platyarthrus hoffmannseggiiBrandt.Plate XII.
1833Platyarthrus hoffmannseggiiBrandt (3), p. 174, pl. IV., fig. 10.1844Itea crassicornisKoch (34), part 36, pl. V.1860Typhloniscus steiniiSchöbl (66), p. 282.1868Platyarthrus hoffmannseggiiBate and Westwood (1), p. 464.1898Platyarthrus hoffmannseggiiSars (59), p. 175, pl. LXXVI., fig. 2.
Up to the present this is the only woodlouse which has been found in the nests of British ants. It is small and oval, itscolour is white, and its body is covered with tubercles. The edges of its side plates are toothed, its flagellum has but a single joint and it has no eyes.
Miss Kate Hall tells us that, if very hungry, ants in captivity will kill and eatPlatyarthrus. With regard to its own food, Lord Avebury has favoured us with the opinion that it lives on the spores of the lower plants, such as would be found in the ants' nest.
FIG. 46.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPlatyarthrushoffmannseggii.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Warley; Hanwell; West Drayton; Langley; Kingston-on-Soar; Bluebell Hill, Maidstone; (W.M.W.): Berkhamsted; Salcombe; Devon; Cheddar Cliffs, Somerset; (Norman, 49): Ide, near Exeter; (Parfitt, 53): Torquay; (Stebbing in 49); Lulworth Cove; (Rev. A. R. HogantesteBate and Westwood, 1): Hammersmith; Oxford; Berry Head, Torquay; Plymouth; (Bate and Westwood, 1): In the nest ofMyrmica rubra, Newton Ferrers (E. E. Lowe).
Scotland: Banff; (Thomas Edward in 49).
Ireland: Leixlip, Co. Dublin; Lismore, Co. Waterford; Glengariff, Co. Cork; (Scharff, 63): Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow; (64).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (28): Spain; (12): Denmark; Germany; Holland; Bohemia; Austria; Tyrol; Helvetia; (59).
NOTE.—In the genera which follow, air-tubes or air-cavities (tracheæ) are present in the outer plates of the abdominal appendages, 1 and 2, or 1 to 5. The appendages in question have in consequence a milk-white appearance in the living animal owing to the fact that the enclosed air reflects white light. Considerable interest attaches to the study of these tracheæ, which have the same function as those of insects, but which have been independently developed. To emphasise the latter fact the structures are often termed "pseudotracheæ."
Genus—PORCELLIOLatreille, 1804 (37), p. 45.
Flagellum, with two joints; abdomen, broad; frontal lobe projecting.
Porcelliois easily separated from the previous genera—Oniscus,Philoscia, andPlatyarthrus—by its two-jointed flagellum. The fact that the abdomen is not abruptly narrowed separates it fromMetoponorthus, which also lacks the prominent frontal lobe so characteristic ofPorcellio. The species of this genera might be confused withCyclisticuswhich has two joints to the flagellum and a broad abdomen, but the latter genus has the power of rolling itself into a ball, while its frontal lobe is very small, and the first segment of its thorax is comparatively larger than in any species ofPorcellio.
Porcellio scaberLatreille.Plate XIII.
1804Porcellio scaberLatreille (37), p. 45.1818Oniscus granulatusLamark (36), p. 261.1818Porcellio nigraSay (62), p. 432.1840Porcellio brandtiiMilne-Edwards (46), p. 168.1840Porcellio dubiusKoch (34), part 34, pl. VIII.1847Porcellio asperKoch (35), p. 207, pl. VIII., fig. 98.1857Porcellio montezumæSaussure (60), p. 207.1865Porcellio paulensisHeller (31), p. 136, p. XII., fig. 5.1868Porcellio scaberBate and Westwood (1), p. 475.1876Porcellio granigerMiers (44), p. 223.1885Porcellio granigerBudde-Lund (8), p. 149.1898Porcellio scaberSars (59), p. 176, pl. LXXVII.
FIG. 47.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPorcellio scaber.
The body ofPorcellio scaberis densely covered with tubercles. Its colour is usually of a very dark grey, but at times it is quite red or variegated with yellow. Albino specimens have been recorded. The two joints of the flagellum are of the same length and together equal that of the last joint of the peduncle. Air-tubes are present in the outer plates of the first two abdominal appendages.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: High Beach, Epping; Warley; Brightlingsea; (W.M.W.): Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Langley; Kew; Skirmett; Pamber Forest; (W.M.W.): Liphook; (C.S.): Stoke-on-Trent; Kingston-on-Soar; (W.M.W.)
Scotland: Dinnet (W.M.W. from Madame Christen).
Ireland: Common everywhere; (Scharff, 63.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: Throughout; (59): France; (28): Spain; (15): Iceland; (59): Faroe Isles—Thorsharn and Naalsoe—(R.F.S. and B.M., N. Annadale).
America: Greenland; North America; Sandwich Isles; (B.M.); Mexico; (59): St. Paul; St. Croix; (59); Ascension; Tristan d'Acunha; (23)
Asia: Ceylon; Kamtschatka: (23).
Australia: Melbourne; Sydney; Tasmania; New Zealand; (B.M., Chilton).
Africa: Azores; Canaries; Cape of Good Hope; (24).
Porcellio pictusBrandt and Ratzeburg.Plate XIV.
1833Porcellio pictusBrandt and Razteburg (4), p. 78, pl. 12, fig. 5.1839Porcellio melanocephalusKoch (34), part 28, pl. XVIII.1853Porcellio melanocephalusSchnitzler (65), p. 24.1856Porcellio mixtusFitch (29), p. 120.1868Porcellio pictusBate and Westwood (1), p.1898Porcellio pictusSars (59), p. 177. pl. LXXVII., fig. 1.
There are tubercles on the body ofPorcellio pictus, which is a striking looking animal. Its head is black with the lateral lobes curved outwards; there is a dark band down the middle of the back and commonly two others on each side, with more or less conspicuous yellow markings between.
FIG. 48.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPorcellio pictus.
The distal (terminal) joint of the flagellum is but half the length of the proximal one and the last peduncular joint is longer than the two combined.
The abdominal appendages—1 and 2—are provided with air-tubes.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Chislehurst; (Bate and Westwood, 1): Cooper's Hill, near Cheltenham; (Norman, 49): Exeter; (Parfitt, 53): Kent; (Bate and Westwood, 1.)
Scotland: Between Leith and Portobello; (Scott, 68): Cumbrae (Scott, 68a): Ayrshire; (Boyd in Norman, 49): Banff; (T. Edwards in Norman, 49).
Ireland: Dublin; Belfast; (Bate and Westwood, 1): Galway; Maryborough; Queen's Co., Castel; and Caher Co. Tipperary; (R.F.S.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): North, West-Central, and East Europe; (8): Sweden; Norway; Denmark; Germany; Hungary; Russia; (59).
North America: (8).
Porcellio dilatatusBrandt.Plate XV.
1833Porcellio dilatatusBrandt and Ratzeburg (4), p. 78, pl. 12., fig. 6.1840Porcellio scaberMilne-Edwards (not Latreille) (46), p. 167.1868Porcellio dilatatusBate and Westwood (1), p.1898Porcellio dilatatusSars (59), p. 179, pl. LXXVII., fig. 2.
FIG. 49.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPorcellio dilatatus.
The fact thatPorcellio dilatatusis more than half as broad as it is long, at once distinguishes it from the other species ofPorcellio. It is tuberculated and of somewhat a lighter grey thanPorcellio scaberusually is. The two species agree in having the two joints of the flagellum equal, but the last peduncular joint, as inPorcellio pictus, is longer than the flagellum.
As in the two preceding species, air-tubes are found in the outer plates of the appendages on the first two abdominal segments.Porcellio dilatatusis to be looked for near houses.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Eton; (Stebbing from W.M.W., 71a): Berkhamsted; (Norman, 50): Headley, Surrey; Ventnor; (Stebbing in Norman, 49).
Ireland: Dublin; (Scharff, 63): Dundrum; (Scharff in Norman, 50): Galway; Roundstone; (R.F.S.): Belfast; (C. W. Buckle, Irish Nat., Vol. XI. (1902), p. 43).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Spain; (12 ): Denmark; Norway; Germany; Poland; Holland; (59).
Africa: Madeira; Azores; (24).
Australia: New Guinea; (59).
Porcellio rathkeiBrandt.Plate XVI.
1833Porcellio rathkeiBrandt (3), p. 177, fig. 10.1833Porcellio ferrugineusBrandt (3), p. 178.1840Porcellio trilineatusKoch (34), part 34, pl. IX.1853Porcellio trivittatusLereboullet (39), p. 54, pl. I., figs. 13 and 14.1853Porcellio tetramoerusSchnitzler (65), p. 24.1853Porcellio striatusSchnitzler (65), p. 24.
There is often a light band down the back and one on either side of it near the margin inPorcellio rathkei(especially in the males), with other more irregularly arranged light patches between. Unlike the three species previously considered, the present one has a smooth body. The distal joint of the flagellum is the longer, and the flagellum itself is equal in length to the last joint of the peduncle.
Some specimens found by Mr. Webb in 1899 at Eton were submitted to Mr. Stebbing, and since then the former has foundPorcellio rathkeito be pretty generally distributed in West Middlesex, where the species appears to frequent the open fields.
FIG. 50.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPorcellio rathkei.
Air-tubes occur in abdominal appendages 1 to 5 and the white appearance of all of these at once serves to distinguish the living animal fromPorcellio scaberin which the first two pairs of abdominal appendages alone are white.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Eton; (Stebbing, 71a): Lane End; (Stebbing, from the Misses Johnston, 71a): Acton; Ealing; Hanwell; Southall; Northolt; Greenford; West Drayton; Mortlake; (W.M.W.); Sunderland; (Brady, 50a).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Bosnia; Servia; (22): Hertzogovania (B.M.); Norway; Northern, Western, and Middle Europe, everywhere; (59): Corfu (B.M.)
Asia: Transcaucasia; (59).
North America: (59).
Porcellio laevisLatreille.Plate XVII.
FIG. 51.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPorcellio laevis.
1804Porcellio laevisLatreille (37), p. 46.1827Porcellio degeeriiSavigny and Audouin (61), p. 289.1833Porcellio cucercusBrandt (3), p. 177.1833Porcellio syriacusBrandt (3), p. 178.1833Porcellio musculusBrandt (3), p. 180.1833Porcellio cinerascensBrandt (3), p. 178.1833Porcellio dubiusBrandt (3), p. 178.1837Porcellio poeyiGuérin (30), p. 6.1844Porcellio urbicusKoch (34), part 36, pl. IV.1847Porcellio flavipesKoch (35), p. 206, pl. VIII., fig. 97.1853Cylisticus laevisSchnitzler (65), p. 25.1857Porcellio cubensisSaussure (60), p. 307.1857Porcellio sumichtasliSaussure (60), p. 307.1857Porcellio cotillæSaussure (60), p. 307.1857Porcellio aztecusSaussure (60), p. 307.1857Porcellio mexicanusSaussure (60), p. 307.
Another smooth species isPorcellio laevis. The colour of its body is light grey with irregular white markings. The large size of this species and the very long tail-appendages of the males are features which will help to identify it. The distal joint of the flagellum is slightly the longer and as in the last species (P. rathkei) the flagellum is equal in length to the last joint of the peduncle. The chief habitats for this species are among vegetable rubbish near human dwellings.
Only the first two abdominal appendages contain air-tubes.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Ipswich (1892); Hanwell; Wimbledon; (W.M.W.): Kent; (Kinahan, 32).
Ireland: Dublin; (Bate and Westwood, 1): Blackrock Dundrum; Co. Dublin; Galway; (R.F.S.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Spain; (15): Sicily; (19): Hertzogovania; (22): Sweden; Denmark; Germany; Belgium; Austria; Italy; Dalmatia; Greece; Turkey; (59); Corfu; (B.M.): Inca, Majorca (23); (B.M.—Pocock and Thomas.)
Asia: Syria; Turkestan; (21).
Africa: Morocco; Algeria; Tunis; Tripoli; Senegal; Egypt; (23).
Atlantic Isles: Bermudas; Azores; Canaries; Cape Vera; Madeira; (24).
America: North America; Mexico; Peru; Brazil; Chili; West Indies; Pacific Islands; (59); Sandwich Isles; (B.M.)
Porcellio ratzeburgiiBrandt.Plate XVIII.
1833Porcellio ratzeburgiiBrandt, (3), p. 178.1839Porcellio nemorensisKoch (34), part 28, pl. XIX.1839Porcellio lugubrisKoch (34), part 28, pl. XX.1853Porcellio quercumSchnitzler (65), p. 24.1898Porcellio ratzeburgiiSars (59), p. 182, pl. LXXX, fig. 1.
FIG. 52.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFPorcellio ratzeburgii.
There are granulations on the middle of the segments inPorcellio ratzeburgiiand the sides of its body are more nearly parallel than in the other species ofPorcellio; the frontal lobe is, practically speaking, semicircular and the lateral plates of the thorax flank the head to a considerable extent. As inPorcellio pictus, the dark band is in the middle of the back. The distal joint of the flagellum is nearly twice as long as the proximal, and the flagellum is shorter than the last joint of the peduncle. This species was added to the British list by Mr. Webb (74) in 1898.
Porcellio ratzeburgiiagrees withPorcellio rathkeiin having air-tubes in the first five abdominal appendages.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Warley; Brightlingsea; young examples (W.M.W.): Maldon; young examples (W.M.W. from R.M.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: Trafoi St. Martini, and Capitello, in the Tyrol; (Norman, 50); East Alps, very common; Val-de-Joux; Massif de la Chartreuse Vaulnaveys (25): Bosnia; (22): Norway; Central Europe; Upper Pfaltz; Bohemia; Saxony; Rhaetia; (59).
Genus—METOPONORTHUSBudde-Lund, 1879 (7), p. 4.PorcellionidesMiers, 1876 (44), p. 98.
Flagellum, with two joints; abdomen, narrow; frontal lobe not developed.
The hinder legs ofMetoponorthusare proportionately longer than in any other Oniscidæ savePhiloscia. Both genera have a narrow abdomen, butPhilosciahas an extra joint to the flagellum, and shows no sign of lateral lobes to the head.
Metoponorthus pruinosusBrandt.Plate XIX.
1833Porcellio pruinosusBrandt (3), p. 181.1840Porcellio truncatusMilne-Edwards (46), p. 173.1840Porcellio maculicornisKoch (34), part 34, pl. XVI.1853Porcellio frontalisLereboullet (39), p. 63, pl. I, fig. 17.1868Porcellio pruinosusBate and Westwood (1), p. 487.1877Porcellio (Porcellioides) flavo-vittatusMiers (45), p. 669 pl., LXVIII., fig. 4.1898Metoponorthus pruinosusSars (59), p. 184, pl. LXXX., fig. 2.
FIG. 53.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFMetoponorthuspruinosus.
Undamaged specimens ofMetoponorthus pruinosusare of a beautiful bluish-grey colour, owing to a "bloom" which is easily brushed off, revealing a dark reddish-brown tint beneath it. The antennæ are long and have white markings upon them.
Air-tubes occur in the first two abdominal appendages.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Hanwell; Eton Wick; Kew; Ipswich; Stoke-on-Trent; (W.M.W.): Chiselhurst; Oxford; (Bate and Westwood): Berkhamsted; Burnmoor; Durham; (Norman, 49): Exeter; (Parfitt, 53); Torquay; (B.M.—T.R.R.S.)
Scotland: Banff; (Thomas Edwards in Norman, 49)
Ireland: Dublin; (Kinahan, 32): Foyle District; Donegal; Galway; Clonbrock, Co. Galway; Mornington, Co. Meath; Santry; Gleeson Park; Dundrum, Co. Dublin; Bray; (R.F.S.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: Practically all the Countries of Europe are given in Dollfus' list; (23).
Asia: Japan; China; Syria; Ceylon; Sumatra; Celebes; Phillipines; Caucasus; Himalayas; (23): Christmas Island; (B.M.)
Africa: Generally distributed; Madagascar; Seychelles; (23).
Atlantic Isles; (23).
America: North and South, almost everywhere, to judge from M. Dollfus' list; (23).
Australia: New Caledonia; (23).
Metoponorthus cingendusKinahan.Plate XX.
1857Porcellio cingendusKinahan (32), p. 279, pl. XIX., figs. 1468-9.1868Porcellio cingendusBate and Westwood (1), p. 489.1885Metoponorthus simplexBudde-Lund (8), p. 188.
FIG. 54.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFMetoponorthuscingendus.
The colour ofMetoponorthus cingendusis steel blue with red or yellowish spots. It has a raised line across each thoracic segment and its abdomen is narrower than inMetoponorthus pruinosus.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Salcombe, Devon; (Norman, 49): South Devon; (Stebbing in 49).
Ireland: Dublin; (B.M. from Kinahan); Mountain Districts of Dublin, Wicklow, and Cork; Coast of Kerry; Arran Islands; Achill, Co. Mayo; Roundstone, Co. Galway; Mallow, Caef Island; Glandore; Brock Haven, Co. Cork; Killoughrim Forest, Co. Wexford; Kenmare, Co. Kerry; (R.F.S.).
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Spain; (12).
(2.) Able to roll up into a ball.Genus—CYLISTICUSSchnitzler, 1853 (65), p. 24.
Flagellum, with two joints; abdomen broad; frontal lobe, very small.
The characters given immediately above are almost those ofPorcelliowith whichCylisticusmight, perhaps, be confounded. The latter has the power, however, of rolling itself into a ball, and the first segment of the thorax is comparatively larger than in any species ofPorcellio, indeed the side plates of the segment in question entirely flank the head. These features, as well as the straight sides of the body and the arched back, connectCylisticuswithArmadillidium, from which the former is, however, at once separated by its long pointed tail appendages.
Cylisticus convexusDe Geer.Plate XXI.
1778Oniscus convexusDe Geer (10), p. 553, pl. XXXV., fig. 11.1833Porcellio spinifronsBrandt (3), p. 177.1836Porcellio laevisKoch (34), part 6, pl. I.1853Porcellio armadilloidesLereboullet (39), p. 65. pl. I., fig. 18.1853Cylisticus laevisSchnitzler (65), p. 25.1868Porcellio armadilloidesBate and Westwood (1), p. 485.1898Cylisticus convexusSars (59), p. 186, pl. LXXXI.
FIG. 55.—FLAGELLUMAND LAST PEDUNCULARJOINT OF THE ANTENNAOFCylisticus convexus.
There is but a single species ofCylisticusfound in this country, so that it is not necessary for us to go into much further detail with regard to it.Cylisticus convexushas the two joints of the flagellum about equal, and they together in turn closely approximate in length to the last joint of the peduncle. Mr. Stebbing says, in a letter, that British examples do not appear to have the "white tail-piece" seen in Continental ones. It is not noticeable in the preserved specimens which we have seen from Berkhamsted and Leixlip, but it is very evident in the living ones found at Hanwell and Maidstone.
The abdominal appendages 1 to 5 are provided with air-tubes.
BRITISH LOCALITIES:—
England: Maldon; (W.M.W. from R.M.): Hanwell; Bluebell Hill, Maidstone; Eton; (W.M.W.): Berkhamsted; Portland; (Norman, 49).
Scotland: Salisbury Crags; Edinburgh; Lanarkshire; Rothesay; (Scott, 68): Killwinning; (John SmithfideRobertson, 57): Highgate; (Bate and Westwood, 1).
Ireland: Leixlip, Co. Dublin; Tempo, Co. Fermanagh; Goresbridge, Co. Kilkenny; (R.F.S.)
FOREIGN DISTRIBUTION:—
Europe: France; (25): Sweden; Norway; Denmark; Germany; Bohemia; Holland; Belgium; Turkey; Caucasus; (59).
North America; (59).
Family—ARMADILLIDIIDÆ.Tail appendages not projecting when the animal is walking.Genus—ARMADILLIDIUMBrandt, 1833 (3), p. 184.
Flagellum, with two joints; outer division of the tail appendages expanded and broader at the hinder end.
The members of the genusArmadillidiumare more likely to be confounded, by the uninitiated, with the "Pill-millipedes" than with other Woodlice. ExceptingCylisticus(which has long pointed tail appendages) no other British forms have the power of rolling themselves up into a complete ball. The very arched body is characteristic ofArmadillidium, and so is the groove into which the basal joints of the antennæ fit when the creatures curl up.
The first two abdominal appendages only are provided with air-tubes.