544 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN EARTHWORMS, 



are as it seems to me, quite independent of them ; the second pair 

 occupy a similar position in the following segment, and are also 

 independent of the white masses in the same segment. Below the 

 posterior white masses in segment xn, on the floor of the segment 

 on either side, and close to the anterior mesentery is a small white 

 body which on examination will be found to be a few coils of the 

 vasa deferentia just before these pass through the mesentery 

 between segments xi and xn to join the " ciliated rosettes " on 

 the other side of it. The ducts from the four ciliated rosettes unite 

 in segment xn and continue as the two vasa deferentia to open by 

 the male pores on segment xv. 



Attached to the posterior faces of the mesenteries between ix 

 and x, x and xi, corresponding nearly with the position of the 

 ovaries in xiii are two pairs of small but noticeable bodies con- 

 sisting of masses, of cells which may be, and probably are the true 

 testes. In European Lumbrics the true testes, occupy a similar 

 position, and are invisible in sexually mature worms, being enclosed 

 within the seminal reservoirs. In these worms also the " ciliated 

 rosettes " are enclosed by the seminal reservoirs. In our Lumbricus 

 in the condition I have met with them, they are free, as Perrier 

 has described them to be in L. americanus, and in L. Victoris. 



The female organs are much more like those in European 

 species, and consist of, a pair of small pear-shaped ovaries 

 attached low down to the anterior mesentery of segment xiii on 

 either side of the nerve cord ; a pair of oviducts commencing in 

 segment xiii with dilated funnels having plicated margins, 

 and, piercing the septum between segments xiii and xiv, opening to 

 the exterior by the oviducal pores on the ventral surface of xiv ; and 

 two pairs of spermathecae, f small, globular, shortly stalked sacs, 

 which, partially underlying the mesenteries between ix and x, and 

 x and xi lie just within segments x and XI, and open to the 

 exterior as previously mentioned. The spermathecae of the winter 

 specimens examined by me contained no spermatozoa. 



The nervous and vascular systems call for no particular mention ; 

 there are seven pairs of transverse hearts in segments vi to xn, 

 joining the supra- and sub-intestinal trunks. 



