394 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN EARTHWORMS, 



long, in which the clitellum was not developed) adherent along 

 their whole length to the posterior surfaces of the mesenteries 

 between x and xi, and xi and xii, quite independent of each other, 

 one on each side of and on a level with the intestine : two pairs 

 of ciliated rosettes in x and xi, in one specimen the whole width 

 of the floor in each of these segments occupied bj a white mass 

 sending up a prolongation visible on each side of the intestine, 

 consisting of spermatozoa apparently enclosed in a delicate sac 

 along with the ciliated rosettes ; in a second specimen there was a 

 considerable mass of spermatozoa on each side in each segment 

 but the ciliated rosettes appeared to be quite free, though if so it 

 may have been accidental, or judging from the girdle in conse- 

 quence of the cessation of the breeding function ; prostates two, 

 in segment xviii, each consisting of a larger upper lobe, and a 

 smaller lower one from which the prostatic duct comes off; this is 

 joined at some distance from the gland by the posterior portion of 

 the vas deferens; the genital duct then continues straight for 

 some distance, but just its proximal portion is bent round sharply 

 forming a small horse-shoe, the convexity of which looks inwards : 

 ovaries two, in the usual position in xiii ; oviducts apparently not 

 in any way remarkable ; spermathecse three pairs, opening anteri- 

 orly, in segments vii to ix, shortly-stalked pear-shaped pouches, 

 each with a very short but conspicuous club-shaped csecum. 



Attached to the posterior surface of the mesentery between xii 

 and XIII, one on each side, in a position nearly corresponding with 

 that of the two pairs of testes in xi and xii, and some distance above 

 the ovaries, I found in both specimens dissected a pair of smooth 

 white sacs, from their situation looking much like a third but 

 rather larger pair of testes. From the difterence in their contents 

 however they have nothing to do with the genitalia. They showed 

 only granules, granular cells, and encysted parasites. I have 

 met with something similar in F. Barronensis, but at present I do 

 not know what these bodies really are, as their symmetrical 

 arrangement is remarkable if they are merely parasitic out- 

 growths. 



