191 1.] J- Stephenson: Some Aquatic Oligochaeta. 209 



being 1^ times as long, but only f as thick as the proximal ; the 

 nodulus is slightly proximal to the middle of the shaft (proximal to 

 nodulus : distal to nodulus : : 30 /. : 35 //). In the posterior bundles 

 the setae are stouter, the proximal part of the shaft is more strongly 

 curved, the prongs of the forked end are equal in length, but the 

 distal is only half as thick as the proximal ; the nodulus is slightly 

 distal to the middle of the shaft, the former proportions being 

 reversed (proximal portion: distal portion : : 35 /^ : 30 /^). 



On comparison with the original description of N. pectinata, 

 the present specimen is seen to differ not only in the shape 

 of the ends of the dorsal needle-setae, but in the considerably 

 greater number of body- segments, the position, of the nodulus, 

 and the relative sizes of the prongs of the ventral setae ; slighter 

 differences are seen in the lengths of the dorsal needles and 

 of the ventral setae, and in the respective numbers of ventral 

 setae per bundle in the two forms. It seems advisable therefore to 

 separate this specimen as a distinct variety ; the name inaequalis is 

 meant to refer to the great disparity in size of the teeth of 

 the comb formed by the end of the dorsal needles. 



It may be mentioned in passing that I again found a specimen 

 of Pristina longiseta, Khrbg., during this examination of the 

 material (c/. the former paper, referred to above). 



Stylaria laoustris, L. 



The present species is one of the best known and most 

 easily recognized of all the Naididae ; so far, however, the only 

 record of its occurrence in the Indian region is from Lahore 

 {Mem. Ind. Mits., vol. i, No. 3, p. 276), where I obtained a 

 single specimen. 



I received the present specimens in January of this year 

 from Mr. Gravely, who obtained them from a pond in the 

 Zoological Gardens at Calcutta. The first consignment was sent 

 alive ; but when the tube was opened, after three days, only one 

 specimen was alive, and that was merely a mutilated fragment 

 of fourteen segments, without either anterior or posterior end of 

 the body complete. It was however interesting as embracing 

 at its anterior end a part of the genital region, including some 

 of the clitellum and a portion of the ovisac. Some individuals 

 would therefore seem to become sexual in Calcutta in January. 



Mr, Gravely next sent me some preserved specimens; un- 

 fortunately none of these had the sexual organs developed, but 

 all were dividing asexually. The length of the chains was about 

 8 mm. — longer, presumably, during extension in life. The trian- 

 gular prostomium ended in a very long narrow proboscis, and e3'es 

 were present, as usual. The total number of segments varied ; from 

 36 to 54 could be counted bearing setae, and behind this was a 

 growing zone, in w^hich distinct segments were not yet differen- 

 tiated. The body was covered with a very distinct cuticle, much 

 thicker, I think, than is usual in the Naididae and especially 



