Benham. — Earthtcorms from Little Barrier Island. 255 



Some of those preserved in alcohol, not being so much con- 

 tracted, have a length of 130mm., but this contains only 111 

 segments. 



The prostomium is about a quarter epilobic. 



Chcetce. — There are about fifty chaetae in each segment ; thus, 

 both on the 9th and 26th segments the number was forty-eight ; 

 in the mid-body and in one of the posterior segments I counted 

 fifty-two and fifty respectively. 



A distinct ventral gap is present throughout the body, but 

 a dorsal gap only in the anterior region. Anteriorly to seg- 

 ment 20 the dorsal gap equals the ventral gap, but from this 

 segment backwards the former decreases till it has disappeared 

 before the mid-body is reached. 



The ventral gap a-a = four interchaetal gaps (ab), both in 

 mid-body and on segment 9. 



The clitellum occupies segments half 13 - 17, and is complete. 



Genital Pores, &c. — The male pores in segment 18 are carried 

 on slight papillae, each of which, in the formol specimen, rises 

 from a well-defined pit about in line with be. 



There are two tuber eula pubertatis, in the form of transverse 

 glands, one near the anterior margin of segment 17, a second 

 intersegmental at 19/20 ; each extends from about c-c. In the 

 formol specimens these glands are well-marked transversely oval 

 pits, with fairly well-marked margin, but in those preserved in 

 alcohol they are much shallower depressions. 



All the individuals, even those in which the clitellum is 

 undeveloped, exhibit precisely the same arrangement — neither 

 more nor fewer — of tubercula. 



There are two pairs of spermathecal pores, at 7/8 and 8/9. 



Internal Anatomy. — The septa behind segments 6 to 11 are 

 thick. 



The dorsal vessel is single, and the last heart is in 13. 



The gizzard, long and cylindrical, in 5. The oesophagus is 

 dilated in 11, 12, and 13 ; it is here thick-walled with lamellae 

 within, but there is no constriction from the main tube. The 

 lamellae, however, are similar to those in such glands as occur 

 in Maoridrilus, and I think we may regard this dilated region 

 as a gland. 



The intestine commences in segment 16. 



Reproductive System,. — The testes and funnels are in the 

 normal position. The sperm-sacs, two pairs, in segments 9 

 and 12. 



The prostates — straight, tubular, with a roughened surface — 

 extend through segments 18-24. The duct is long, straight, 

 and narrow. 



