418 GONADS. NOMENCLATURE 



An interesting observation is the apparent connection of the tandem 

 group of three caudal glands with the dorsal field by means of a narrow 

 strand running forward, possibly of a nervous character, as is sug- 

 gested: 1, by its form and position; 2, by its size and structure. 



The internal extremity of the gubernaculum lies near the body axis 

 and is connected fore and aft with the ventral body-wall by slender 

 strands of muscular tissue. The testis is now believed to be reflexed, 

 not outstretched as formerly figured. 



The broad, rapidly tapering ovaries, the anterior lying to the right, 

 the posterior to the left, are reflexed to nearly opposite the vulva and 

 contain comparatively few ova, arranged in single file in the wider 

 part, elsewhere irregularly. Hundreds of subspherical sperm cells 

 may occur in the uterus. Usually there is one egg at a time in the 

 uterus, thin shelled and smooth, and deposited before segmentation 

 begins. The eggs are three-fourths as wide as long and about two- 

 thirds as long as the corresponding body diameter. 



Some of the results of the present investigation have been more or 

 less definitely forecast by various observers on several occasions, 

 notably by Steiner and Irwin-Smith, both of whom from inadequate 

 material, have, with admirable insight, suggested the probable con- 

 nection of the adhesion tubes with internal structures and also the 

 possibility of the glandular nature of these latter. 



While no doubt now remains that both the major and minor soles 

 are glandular and are organs of locomotion, it still seems to me quite 

 doubtful whether we fully understand the bodily structure of Dra- 

 conema. The form of the head and neck and other parts do not seem 

 to be explained merely on the basis of the use of these two "sticky" 

 soles in locomotion. There probably are other unknown factors play- 

 ing a part in the activities of Draconema that will further explain its 

 highly peculiar and interesting structure. 2 



J Nomenclature. The proposal of the genus Draconema in 1913 appears reasonable 

 in view of the fact that at that time the published descriptions of the species belonging 

 to its family, though in no case as complete as desirable, indicated the existence of two 

 (or more) genera, the type species of one of which should be that originally named by 

 Claparede Chaetosoma ophiocephalum 1863 (not Chaetosoma Westwood, 1851, Cole- 

 optera). Draconema cephalatum, was then, and continues to be, thought generically 

 different from Claparede's ophiocephalum. The name Chaetosoma, being preempted, 

 should be replaced by its synonym Notochaetosoma Irwin-Smith 1917. Should the opin- 

 ion prevail that all the described forms of the family belong to one genus, then the 

 oldest synonym for Chaetosoma would be Draconema, and should be substituted. In 

 that event, the family name would naturally become Draconematidae; in any case, it 

 seems likely that Draconema is a better representative of the group than the only other 

 genus so far proposed, Notochaetosoma. 



Draconema cephalatum is cosmopolitan, and seems to have been described by several 

 different authors under as many different specific names, e.g., annulatum Ditlev., 

 haswelli Irwin-Smith. hibemicum Southern. 



