1,74 



The h ish Naturalist. 



September, 



all of the foregoing in some important points, and mus t 

 be looked upon as new to science. 



8. Achaeta spermatophora, sp. n. 



Length about 8 mm. Segments very difficult to count but ranging 

 from 35 to 40. White in the front segments, intestine orange -coloured 

 from about the 9th segment backwards. This colour, however, not 

 due to the chloragogen cells. Setae sacs present dorsally, oval or pear- 

 shaped, absent ventrally, apparently two in each segment. Girdle com- 

 posed of about 20 rows of glandular cells, the largest being in the middle, 

 those of the fore and hinder parts gradually diminishing in size. Pro- 

 stomium blunt, rounded. Brain large, nearly oval, convex before and 

 behind, about \\ — 2 x i. Two pairs of nephridia found in front of the 

 girdle in segments 5/6 and 6/7, as far as I could ascertain from the study 



of the living form, which was very difficult to examine. Anteseptal of 

 neplu'idium about one-third the postseptal, from the posterior of which 

 the short, stout duct emerges (Fig. i). Nerve in front with wing-like 

 extensions (Fig. 2). The dorsal vessel seems to arise in segment 5, with 

 heart -like pulsings in 5 and 4. The most striking peculiarity, however, 

 consists of a pair of bodies which have all the appearance of sperma- 

 tophores or sperm-ropes (Fig, 3), which appear to replace the usual sper- 

 mathecae. It was impossible to say, from the study of the living worm, 

 whether these organs were attached to the intestine or the body wall. 

 They extend from about 4/5 (where the spermathecae usually open ex- 

 ternally) to the 8th segment and are clearly the counterparts 'of .'those 

 bodies. Hence the specific name. 



Found in earth at root of Primula at Acton Glebe, Poyntzpass, Co. 

 Armagh, sent by Rev. W. F. and Mrs. Johnson, May 7th, 191 2. 



Swadlincote, Burton -on -Trent. 



