74 



somite XI on each side , are two (sometimes three) small, oblong bo- 

 dies, of as lightly glistering appearance which project backwards into 

 the next somite — the ovarian somite. Each was found to contain 

 spermatozoa, and to resemble closely the spermatheca in Microchacta. 



In all other worms but these two 2, and the altogether exceptional 

 gen\\sLud7'/7((s, the spermathecae are conspicuous sacs, situated in front 

 of the ovaries, and usually in front of the seminal reservoirs. 



In the same somites as the seminal reservoirs , viz. in X and XI, 

 and lying under these organs, attached to the ventral body wall, are 

 four white globular sacs on each side of each somite. These, I at first 

 mistook for spermathecae, till I had examined transverse section, 

 through this region. I then found that each of these sixteen sacs 

 had a somewhat similar structure to the so called »capsulogenous glands« 

 of Lîimbricus . I prefer to call them, with Vejdovsky — Jialbiimen 

 glands« ; for I believe that they have nothing to do with the formation 

 of the cocoon, but, that, as Hering supposed, they secrete the albumi- 

 nous fluid, which is enclosed in the cocoon, and in which the eggs 

 are embedded. 



These »albumen -glands« have not so far as I am aware, been 

 described or even mentioned in any other worm but Lumhricus. Their 

 structure is simpler in Brachydrilus than in Lumhricus^ and consists 

 of a lumen, lined with short columnar cells , Avhich are surrounded by 

 a layer of miiscles : outside these are situated the large glandular cells, 

 wdth very granular contents. 



Each sac opens to the exterior by means of a seta-follicle : or ra- 

 ther two albumen-glands open into the neck of each of the seta-fol- 

 licles of the inner couple. 



The nephridia, as I stated at the commencement, are four 

 in number on each somite ofthe body, even in those containing 

 the spermducts, and ciliated rosettes. Each nephridium corresponds 

 in position to one of the couples of setae. The two pairs are equal in 

 size, except in somites X and XI, where the outer nephridia are much 

 larger than the inner ones, which are hidden by the seminal reservoirs. 



The two nephridia of each side are quite separate from one another: 

 and as far as I have noticed are similar : there is no muscular diver- 

 ticulum , but the organ somewhat resembles that of Lttmhricus, though 

 the tube is much less coiled. 



We already know, thanks to the researches, of Mr. Beddard, of 

 worms possessing more than one pair of nephridia per somite. In Aca?i- 



2 The spermathecae are altogether absent in Criodrilus, sec Uosa, »Sul Cno- 

 drilus lacuum«. 1887 and Benham, Quart. Joum. Microsc. Soc. 1887. Feb. 



