Benham. — On Neiv Species of Earthworms. 



287 



The dorsal vessel is distinctly double, right up to the 

 pharyngeal region. The last heart is in segment 13. 



The Alimentary System. — The gizzard is elongated, but 

 wholly confined to segment 6. There is a large oesophageal 

 gland in segment 12, behind which the gut is noticeably 

 reduced in size — not only in breadth but also in length- 

 owing to the reduction of the segmental cavities already 

 referred to. It does not commence to dilate till the 18th 

 segment to form the intestine. 



The worm is micronephric, the tufts of tubules being 

 concentrated near the nerve-cord. I have been unable to 

 trace the nephridium to the surface, but there are well- 

 developed funnels. 



Reproductive System. — The position of the gonads is alto- 

 gether unique. Both testes and ovaries are situated not on 

 the septa bounding the segments, but on the floor of ike body. 

 Each testis is elongated in a direction parallel with the long 

 axis of the body, and extends backwards to the posterior wall, 

 terminating below the corresponding funnel. In the case of 

 the ovary the same arrangement obtains ; but the cavity of 

 the 13th segment is greatly reduced, except below the ventral 

 vessel, where the septum 13/14 is pouched backwards to form 

 a tunnel-like pocket, which reaches nearly as far as sep- 

 tum 14/15. It is on the floor of this pocket that the two 

 ovaries are placed ; and, as the funnel of the oviduct is carried 

 forwards by the overarching septum, the ovary comes to lie 

 underneath the lip of the funnel. 



Diagrammatic longitudinal section through segments 13 and 14. 



a, gut ; b, septum ; c, ventral blood-vessel ; d, body-wall ; e, oviduct ; 



/, ovary. 



There are four pairs of sperm-sacs in the usual segments. 

 The spermiducal glands are somewhat flattened and undu- 

 lating. 



There are no penial chaetae, but " transverse muscles " 

 occupy segment 18. 



Each of the spermathecae (in segments 8 and 9) is a sub- 

 conical sac, with short duct, and around the latter is a nearly 



