82 DESCRIPTIONS OF EARTHWORMS. 



bend and passes into a long narrow duct communicating 

 with the interior. Neither the internal funnel, nor the 

 manner of communication of the tubules with the main 

 duct could be observed. It is probable that the whole 

 set of tubules form together one continuous duct, as sug- 

 gested by Benham for Microchaeta. Perrier describes the 

 nephridia as : » des organes simplement un pen flexueux , 

 termines par uue sorte de houppe formee par une série de 

 replis membraneux implantes sur sa portion terminale libre. 

 Cette houppe constitue le pavilion vibratile au milieu 

 duquel s'ouvre le canal." The third nephridium , belonging 

 to segment 5 , is modified in au extra-buccal pepto-nephri- 

 dium (Benham) ; it consists of a large mass of tubules , 

 covering like a brown gland the whole lateral side of the oeso- 

 phagus , whilst its main duct forms a loop which extends till 

 near the jrst nephridium. The communication of Perrier 

 »un oesophage membraneux portant sur ses parois quelques 

 corps glaudulaires" no doubt is referable to this organ. 



Although our knowledge of the organisation of Anteus 

 gigas remains rather incomplete , I believe it may be con- 

 cluded from the foregoing description, that this species 

 certainly is not identical with Microchaeta rappi. This 

 species differs from Anteus gigas by the following cha- 

 racters: its setae are very minute and arranged in four 

 couples; its segments consist of a number of anuuli, so 

 that it is difiicult to limit the anterior somites; its anterior 

 septa , though very strong , are far separated from each 

 other, free from any overlapping; its tubular intestine has 

 only one pair of intestinal glands; its nephridia have a 

 different structure. Perhaps a following fuller investiga- 

 tion will learn us , that both species belong to the same 

 genus , a question which at this moment cannot be settled , 

 because we want any knowledge about the structure of 

 the genital organs. At any rate I believe it can be stated , 

 that there is a close relation between Anteus , Microchaeta 

 and Rhinodrilus. 



Notes from tlie ILieyden IMuseum, "Vol. XIII. 



