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1. 1. The biological distribution of guanidine derivatives has been studied by paper chromatography in terrestrial and freshwater annelids (Oligochaeta, Hirudinea) and platyhelminthes (Turbellarea) from Hungary. 2. 2. Arginine, though present in all animals studied, was found in appreciable amounts only in platyhelminthes, whose tissues did not contain any other detectable guanidino derivative. 3. 3. All Oligochaeta (Lumbricidae, Tubificidae) contain free and phosphorylated lombricine (guanidoethylserylphosphoric acid) as the major guanidino derivative of the tissues; two of them ( Allolobophora chlorotica and A. dubiosa ) contain also hirudonine (diamidinospermidine), previously identified in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis (L.). The quantitative distribution of arginine, hirudonine and lombricine in these Allolobophora was established by specific titration. 4. 4. From all the Hirudinea (Erpobdellidae, Glossiphoniidae, Hirudidae) studied here, only the Hirudidae contain hirudonine, always associated with small amounts of arcaine (diamidinoputrescine) and of arginine; only minute amounts of arginine were detected in the other families. The nature and presence of a phosphagen in the hirudinea is discussed. 5. 5. The number, kind and distribution of guanidine derivatives in terrestrial and freshwater annelids seem to be less diverse than in the marine annelids previously studied. The pattern of distribution seems to be unrelated to location and environment.

The water content of Lumbricus terrestris, after keeping on moist filter-paper for 3 or 4 days, is 84-8 % of its body weight. That of Allolobophora chlorotica is 80 % of its body weight. Both species can survive a loss of 60 % of the body weight, but not much more. Earthworms of the species A. chlorotica, A. terrestris f. longa, Dendrobaena subrubicunda, L. rubellus and L. terrestris are all able to survive from 31 to 50 weeks in soil totally submerged beneath aerated water. The same species, and A. caliginosa can survive for 72-137 days in aerated tap water without food. Garden specimens of A. chlorotica make U-shaped burrows in soil beneath water. They do not irrigate either the burrows or glass tubes. Egg-cocoons of A. chlorotica, taken from culture pots of soil, will hatch under water and the young worms will feed and grow though totally immersed. D. subrubicunda, L. rubellus and L. terrestris avoid immersion in water when allowed a choice between water-saturated and moist but air-filled soil. When A. caligmosa, A. chlorotica and A. terrestris f. longa are allowed a similar choice, a small proportion of the population is always found in the water-filled soil. Enforced submergence before being allowed a choice of environment does not affect the behaviour of L. rubellus, i.e. water is still avoided. Similar treatment of A. chlorotica and L. terrestris results in a more frequent choice of water. It is unnecessary to postulate that the individuals of A. chlorotica occurring in Lake Windermere constitute a ‘biological race’. The avoiding reaction of earthworms to immersion may explain why they leave the soil after heavy rain.

The preferred host of the cluster fly, Pollenia rudis Fab., in Ontario is reported to be the earthworm Eisenia rosea Sav. Periodic field digging revealed the immature stages of P. rudis feeding, or in close association with, E. rosea. In addition P. rudis was reared in the laboratory on E. rosea but could not be reared on any of the other species of earthworm found in the field.For the first time in North America the complete life history, along with each of the immature stages of P. rudis, is described. The differences between P. rudis from North America and those from France are indicated.Finally, the authors speculate that there are two strains, or species, of P. rudis in France: one is host-specific to the earthworm Allolobophora chlorotica Sav. and the other to E. rosea. Only the strain with E. rosea as its preferred host has as yet been reported from Canada.

Parasitism by Pollenia rudis (Fabr.) larvae on earthworms in the field was found only in Allolobophora chlorotica (Sav.) and Eisenia rosea (Sav.). Other species of worms were infected in the laboratory. Slime and coelomic fluid, from all species of worms tested, induced penetration behaviour. Penetration occurs mainly on the dorsal surface of the worm, and less frequently towards either end. Larvae repenetrated after leaving the original penetration site. Autonomy by the host of the parasitized segments was observed in E. rosea. Possible reasons for the restricted natural host range are discussed.

Two types of Allobophora chlorotica exist in one of which porphyrins and a biliverdin-like substance accumulate during the individuals life-time, rendering it green. Populations of the green form o...