958 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN EARTHWORMS, 



14. Perich^eta gracilis, n. sp. 



The largest of about 20 specimens comprised about 155 segments, 

 was 110 mm. long, 4 mm. broad, the length of preclitellar region 

 being 11 mm., that of the clitellum 6 mm. Body cylindrical tapering 

 posteriorly less markedly so anteriorly, slightly constricted at the 

 clitellum (in spirit-specimens). After about ix the segments are 

 more or less tri-annulate. Colour when alive a rich dark almost 

 port-wine red above (duller in spirit almost reddish-brown), lighter 

 (yellowish- white) below. Prostomium pear-shaped extending back 

 on the buccal ring for about § or more of its width ; buccal ring 

 with a median longitudinal ventral groove completely dividing it. 



Clitellum well developed, comprising four segments (xiii to xvi), 

 or in younger specimens only partially including xiii ; complete all 

 round. 



Setae short, about "28 mm. long, with a slight enlargement at 

 about J from the free tip, the remaining portion somewhat thicker ; 

 arranged in two half-series, there being median narrow dorsal 

 and ventral spaces devoid of bristles ; all the segments setigerous 

 except the first one and the last three or four. The number of setae 

 per segment is from 20 to 24, the number on the anterior 

 segments being slightly greater than that elsewhere (one specimen 

 having 24 per segment in front of, and 20 per segment behind the 

 clitellum) \ they are sometimes at slightly irregular intervals, so 

 that those of the various segments do not form perfectly straight 

 longitudinal rows. 



Male pores two, slit-like, on papillae, the pores well apart on the 

 lateral margins of the ventral surface and about corresponding with 

 the interval between the 2nd and 3rd rows of setae on each side, 

 and in the line of those of the segment ; there is one seta 

 visible on each side on the ventral surface between the pores. 

 The oviducts apparently open to the exterior by a single median 

 pore in front of the line of setae on xiv. There are three pairs of 

 spermathecal pores between vi and vn, vn and vm, and viii and 

 ix, rather lateral in position, and corresponding with the 4th or 

 5th row of setae on each side. Dorsal pores after about the 5th 



