190 OLIGOCHAETA 



VEJDOVSKY have pointed out its differences from P. menkeanus. NOLL has stated 

 that the setae of the present species are shorter (2 mm. instead of 3 mm.) and much more 

 hooked than those of P. menkeanus. NOLL, however, figures and describes the ventral 

 setae as longer than the dorsal. VEJDOVSKY states the opposite, and VAILLANT 

 mentions an individual in which the setae were about equal, which rather casts 

 a doubt upon the distinctness of the two species, though the length is so very 

 different. 



(3) Phreoryctes smithii, BEDDAKD. 

 P. smithii, BEDDARD, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist. 1888, p. 389. 



Definition. Comparatively stout worm. Setae paired, dorsal setae, of the posterior segments, 

 longer than ventral. Two pairs of spermathecae in VII, VIII. Habitat N. Zealand. 

 There can be no doubt about the distinctness of this species ; it is of a stouter 

 build, not so long in proportion to its breadth as are the remaining species of the 

 genus. In the paper cited above (and in BEDDARD 18) will be found such details as 

 are known about the species. The anatomical facts have been for the most part 

 mentioned in the description of the characters of the genus. Other points, possibly 

 of specific importance, may be now referred to. The dorsal setae, though of the same 

 form as the ventral, are about three times their length ; the shaft of the seta which 

 is implanted in the body wall is curved, not straight, as in the other two species. 

 The nephridia commence, in the sexually - mature worm, in the sixteenth segment, 

 and their external orifice is in front of the ventral pairs of setae. The worm was 

 collected by Mr. W. W. SMITH chiefly in forest pools, where it lives in association 

 with a species of Limnodrilus ; one example was discovered in marshy soil ; so that 

 this species is equally at home in water and in damp soil. 



(4) Phreoryctes emissarius, FORBES. 



P. emissarius, FORBES, Bull. Illinois State Lab. Vol. iii, 1890, p. 108. 

 Definition. Long, slender species ; prostomium not transversely furrowed. Setae implanted 

 singly ; dorsal setae disappear before middle of body, previously diminishing in size. 

 Habitat N. America. 



This species can be at once distinguished from the others by the complete absence 

 of dorsal setae from all but the anterior seventy segments or so. This species is 

 seven or eight inches in length and only -67 mm. in thickness, and consists of more 

 than 375 segments 1 . The nephridia, which were found from segment x onwards, 

 open in front of the ventral setae ; the first six pairs, however, were more or 



1 All the specimens examined by Mr. FORBES were broken. 



