223 



It should be observed too that they projected not at right angles to 

 the surface of the axis but in a curved direction, precisely as in Tubi- 

 fex. In reviewing the characteristics of the spermatophores in the 

 group Oligochaeta it is clear that they may be arranged in two clas- 

 ses: 1) shorter spermatophores consisting of a chitinous case enclosing 

 a mass of spermatozoa, immobile, attached to body externally. Lum- 

 bricidae, Criodrilus, Alma, Bothrioneuroji,. 



2) Long spermatophores, of more complicated structure, motile 

 owing to projection of tails of spermatozoa, found in the spermathecae. 

 Tubificidae, Polytoreutus. 



It appears from the above list that the two formerly accepted di- 

 visions of the Oligochaeta, viz. Limicolae and Terricolae cannot be 

 distinguished by their spermatophores, both types occurring in both 

 divisions. 



My discovery of the spermatophores in Alma lends fresh support 

 to the view now generally adopted that the spermatophores are a pro- 

 duct of the spermiducal glands or to the glandular tissue surrounding 

 the orifice of the sperm ducts. Alma, it will be recollected, is a genus 

 without spermathecae. 



It does not necessarily follow however that the long spermato- 

 phores of the Tubificidae and Polytoreutus are not formed in the sper- 

 mathecae. I have no facts in addition to those known to urge in fa- 

 vour of the formation of the spermatophores in the interior of the 

 spermathecae in the Tubificidae; with regard to Polytoreutus, the 

 length of the spermatophores is in accord with the long and glandular 

 spermiducal glands. The lumen of the latter would just about contain 

 a spermatophore, while the enormous spermathecae could hardly be 

 responsible for the moulding of the relatively small spermatophores 

 which crowd its interior. 



II. Mittheilungen aus Museen, Instituten etc. 



Zoological Society of London. 



March 5th, 1901. — The Secretary read a report on the additions 

 that had been made to the Society's Menagerie during the month of February 

 1901 , and called special attention to an example of the August Amazon 

 [Chrysotis augusta) acquired by purchase on Feb. 11th, and to a specimen of 

 the Guinea-fowl from Rabat in Morocco [Numida meleagris] . presented to the 

 Society by Mr. G. E. Neroutsos on Feb. 15th. — The report also contained 

 a list of the specimens of the Quagga [Eqtms quagga], three in number, that 

 had lived in the Society's Gardens since their establishment. — A report 

 was read, drawn up by Mr. A, Thomson, the Assistant-Superintendent of 

 the Society's Gardens, on the insects exhibited in the Insect-house during 



