262 OLIGOCHAETA 



Definition. Length 55 mm - Integument covered with numerous greyish green papillae, which 

 commence at middle of second segment and are not found upon clitellum. Hab. Sea 

 shores of Europe. 



The synonymy of the species described as Clitellio ater by CLAPAEEDE is very 

 difficult. There can be but little doubt, however, that it is synonymous with 

 D'UDEKEM'S Tubifex benedii as was first pointed out by VAILLANT (3). I cannot 

 myself see any valid reason for separating it from T. papttlosus of CLAPABEDE, in 

 spite of the fact that both species were described by the same writer. CLAPABEDE, 

 indeed, says that the papillae of T. papillosus are flatter than those of C. ater ; but 

 the principal difference upon which CLAPAREDE relied was evidently the presence of 

 capilliform setae figured (4, Taf. iii, fig. 15) in T. papillosus, which he speaks of on 

 this account as 'ein echter Tubifex.' 



Genus SPIROSPERMA, EISEN. 



Nais, KESSLER (in part.). 



Tubifex, CLAPAREDE, D'UDEKEM (in part.). 



DEFINITION. Body covered with convex papillae. Setae capilliform, uncinate and 

 pectinate. Prostate present; penis chitinous. Brain with median processes in 

 front, prominent lateral lobes, with a square invaginatiou posteriorly. 



The structure of this well-marked genus has been investigated by EISEN (12) and 

 STOLC (3). The setae are like those of Psammoryctes, from which genus it differs 

 in the absence of a specialized division of the spermiducal gland, and in the presence 

 of the epidermal papillae which are evidently like those of Hemitubifex benedii. 

 It is even possible that the two genera should be fused into one, the only difference 

 being, apparently, the existence of pectinate setae in Spirosperma, which have not 

 been described in Hemitubifex. The name Spirospei^ma was given to the genus by 

 EISEN on account of the form of the spermatophore, which is coiled like a watch 

 spring, or, as EISEN says, like the proboscis of a moth (12, PL iii. fig. 2 i, 2 k~). It 

 appears, however, that the spermatophore has not always this shape, for STOLC 

 figures one (3, Taf. iii. fig. 11) in which one half of the spermatophore is coiled 

 spirally round the other half, and another (in fig. 10) which is bent into an S shape. 

 The spermathecae are simple pouches swollen at the caecal extremity. The epidermal 

 papillae are wanting upon the clitellum, which is stated by EISEN to occupy only 

 one segment, the eleventh. 



