igi?-] J.Stephenson: Indian Oligochaeta. 355 



somite xvii, the whole of somite xviii^ and the greater portion of 

 somite xix. Connected with each of these pores is a lar^e coiled 

 prostatic gland, which extends backwards in each case through 

 some 8 or 9 somites. 



There is a single median oviducal pore in the anterior portion 

 of somite xiv. 



There are two pairs of spermathecae, situated in somites vii 

 and viii respectively. They do not possess any appendages but 

 present a sort of frilled appearance around the base. 



The gizzard is situated in somite x. 



In somites xxiii-xxvi (?) there are four pairs of special diverti- 

 cula on the dorso-lateral portions of the intestine. 



I have not observed any nephridia. 



There are about 52 setae in each somite, arranged with small 

 dorsal and ventral gaps ; setae are present on the clitellum. 



There are no special setae in somite xviii ; but in the anterior 

 portion of somite viii (i.e., between the anterior and posterior pair 

 of spermathecae) there are two groups of large modified setae. 

 Where these project on the surface, there is a papilla which in 

 some specimens becomes very well marked. 



Length 148 mm., circumference 15 mm.; number of somites 

 riT. 



Hah. Yercaud, at an elevation of about 5,000 ft.', and also 

 down the ghaut as low as Salem (1,000 ft.). I have specimens from 

 Salem. 



This is an exceedingly common worm in this region. It occurs 

 in dr}^ ground, and often under large stones." 



The only other remark Bourne makes about the worm is a 

 reference to the two pairs of male pores as establishing a difference 

 between it and other species of Perichacta. 



It will be seen at once that there are striking similarities be- 

 tween PericJiaeta stuarti and the group of species described in the 

 bod}^ of the present paper under the genus Hoplochaetella. Besides 

 such general features as size, setal numbers and distribution, situa- 

 tion of prostatic and female apertures, the two pairs of long coiled 

 prostates, etc., there are the special setae in segment viii, dis 

 placed out of the line and seated on papillae ; and the frill of diver- 

 ticula at the base of the spermathecae, which is exactly paralleled 

 in several species here described. 



The differences are however not negligible. Thus the gizzard 

 is said to be in segment x ; this is anomalous, — I do not recall any 

 single Megascolecid in which it occurs in this position, i.e. in a 



1 With regard to the locaUty, Bourne in a subsquent publication says, " I 

 have stated that Pericliaeta stuarti is to be found at an elevation of 5000 ft., and 

 also at one of 1000 ft., but this has proved to be a mistake which arose from my 

 collector having mixed specimens from the two localities. 1 cannot find P. stuarti 

 at any great distance down the ghaut." (On certain Earthworms from the 

 Western Himalayas and Dehra Dun, P. As. Soc. Bengal, vol. Kii, 1889). Michael- 

 sen has overlooked this correction. 



