British Enchytrmids. By Rev. H. Friend. 



267 



4. Fridericia ohtnsa sp. n. 



Length of living worm 15-18 mm. Stouter than F. co/mata, 

 which was found with it ; whitish to the naked eye, but of an 

 opaque, dirty yellow appearance under the Microscope. Strong, 

 stiff, and active. Segments number al30ut 55. Seta3 in front 

 1-2 dorsally and 3 ventrally as a rule-, posteriorly 1 dorsally and 

 2 ventrally ; very small in front, larger behind. Girdle not well 

 defined. Epidermis with rows of irregular gland cells. Dorsal 

 vessel arises in segment 16, but without any trace of red blood, 

 such as may be found usually in F. magna and irregularly in 

 F. diachseta. Chloragogen cells rather large ; coelomic corpuscles 

 very irregular, and frequently massed with a 

 gelatinous substance. Brain convex behind, 

 little if any longer than broad ; dorsal pores 

 begin in or near segment 5, the cells (fig. 31) 

 being very conspicuous. Septa very strong 

 and stout. Spermathecse with very long coiled 

 ducts. No glands at 4/5, and no diverticula 

 observed. Cocaine only quieted it for a little 

 time ; the most difficult and obtuse worm I have ever handled in 

 this group. Hence the specific name. 



Found in sandy soil at Mansfield, Xotts, on May 8th, 1912. 

 Now recorded for the first time {9). 



Fig. 31.— Dorsal 



pore, with guard cells, 



F. obtusa Friend. 



5. Fridericia clara sp. n. 



Length 8-10 mm. Segments about 30 in the milk-white 

 adult. Sfctfe 5-6 in front, decreasing in size from outer pair in- 

 wards ; 3-4 behind, equal in length in the segments 18 to 30 or 

 thereabouts. Girdle of clear but not 

 well defined cells, in the usual position, 

 without setae, but with large pores at 

 the opening of the long irregularly 

 folded sperm-ducts, whose funnels are 

 slender, about three times longer than 

 broad, and destitute of collar or neck. 

 Spermathecae with large pear-shaped 

 ampulla, duct about twice as long, and 

 5-6 sessile diverticula (fig. 32 j between 

 duct and ampulla. Nerve-chord en- 

 larged in front ; brain straight behind 

 with a kind of under layer, as in F. reversa, narrowing towards 

 the front. Dorsal vessel arising in 12/13 with a clear, heart-like 

 body in the 12th segment. Salivaries slightly branched, Nephridia 

 with large anteseptal and rather long duct arising apparently from 



Fig. 32. — Sperniatheca of 

 F. clara Friend. 



