i>AClFIC COAST OLlGOCHiETAi ^0 



with very oblong nuclei (fig. 105 ej).). This ei)itheliiim is thickened only at the 

 anterior side, nearest the narrow tube (fig. 104), but narrows quickly both superiorly 

 and posteriorly. The inner transverse muscular layer is similarly thickened in this 

 region (fig. 105, (. in.). 



The storage chamber contains tlie same general layers as the narrow bridge. 

 The inner lining epithelium is narrow, with very compressed nuclei, with the flat side 

 lying against the muscular wall (fig. 107). 



The nature of the prostate differs apparently much from that of the prostates of 

 some members of Lumbriculidie, especially Sutroa, as lately more minutely described 

 by Beddard, but more resembles in structure Lumiiriculus. But I am more inclined 

 to compare its makeup with the prostate of Moniligaster. In Eclipidrilus the pros- 

 tate contains the characteristics of both Limicohe and Tericolje, if I may yet use the 

 expression. The inner two-celled layer of the prostate which is characterizing most 

 higher earth worms, possessing a prostate, is superposed by the layers, muscular and 

 glandular which characterize Tubifex, INIoniligaster, etc. 



Spermducis. I am now able to describe the spermducts for the first time. 

 They enter the storage chamber of the prostate near to the bridge and close to- 

 gether, but still entirely separate (fig. 95), and when the inner surface of the 

 chamber is viewed from above the entrance pores are seen as two small slightly ele- 

 vated papilla^ (fig. 95 8/>.) From these the spermducts, which are of very minute 

 size, run forward parallel to the prostate, one on either side, except alongside of the 

 bridge where they run close together. The outer pair leave the prostate in xi, dip 

 down to the ovaries in which they are partially engaged and push their ciliated 

 rosettes through septum x/xi, the rosettes opening in x. The inner spermducts are 

 similarly engaged in the gonads in x, push through septum ix/x and open their 

 rosettes in ix, all very close to the body-wall. 



The rosettes are only one cell thick, very thin and flat, with the po.sterior sur- 

 face attached to the septum, the anterior lip only being free. Only the inner deeper 

 surface of the rosettes is ciliated. 



Sperm-Karx, one on each side and continuous from the beginning of the sperra- 

 atheca, reach as far back or further than the posterior end of the storage chamber of 

 the prostate. Generally the sperm-sacs reach two or three somites further back. 

 Each sac is separate from the other aiul consists of one continuous bag contracted 

 somewhat at the septa. It is not racemose and does not connect with the septa as in 

 so many of the higher forms, but greatly resembles those of Sutroa. The speriu-sac 

 only covers the prostate, but does not properly enclose it, as it does not extend to the 

 space between the prostate and the intestine. With the latter, however, it is con- 

 nected by two continuous walls of connective tissue, one on the dorsal and one on 

 the ventral side of the intestine. In the enclosure thus formed the prostate, as well as 

 the upper part of the spermatheca, lies fi'ee. 



In the posterior parts of the sperm-sacs are always seen very large sacs of yolk 

 granules. In one specimen I found a mass of these yolk granules surrounding the 



