78 



THE EARTHWORM. 



The female organs consist of a pair of ovaries ; a pair of 

 oviducts, with a receptaculum ovorum opening into 

 each ; and two pairs of spermothecse. 



a. The ovaries, which lie in segment xnr., are a pair 

 of small white pyriform bodies attached to the 



Fia. 26. Lumbricus herculeus. Plan of the reproductive organs as 

 seen from above after removal of the alimentary canal. The body- 

 wall is pinned down flat. (c. H. h.) 



A, anterior lateral vesicula seminalis. B, first median vesicula seminalis. 

 O, posterior lateral vesicula seminalis. N , nerve-cord, o, ovary. OD, oviduct. 

 R, receptaculum ovorum. S, spermotheca. SF, seminal funnel lying in the 

 median vesicula seminalis. T, testis. VD, vas deferens : the reference line 

 indicates the point where the posterior vas efferens opens into it. 9 to 1 5, ninth 

 to fifteenth segment. 



