3G4 Capt. F. W. Ilutton on Perlpatus novfe-zealandife. 



pairs of ainbulatoiy legs, and tlien gvaduallj' cx])ands into the 

 stomach, which occupies nearly tlie whole interior of the animal 

 (PI. XVII. fig. 1,^). The stomach contracts rather suddenly 

 at the thirteenth pair of legs to form a short rectum, which 

 opens to tlie surface by means of a two-lipped anus at the 

 posterior extremity of the animal. In the ordinary state of 

 the animal the stomach is arranged in numerous small trans- 

 verse corrugations. There are no lateral diverticula. It is 

 not attached by any perivisceral septa, but appears to be free, 

 except wdiere the tracheae spread over its surface. 



Salivary Vessels. — These consist of two much-folded vessels 

 (diameter "003) on either side (PI. XVII. fig. l,c/), which lie 

 between the nerve-cord and the lateral vessels to be presently 

 described. These vessels arise about the posterior third of 

 the animal ; they are much lobulated posteriorly, and empty 

 themselves into a bag Avhich expands anteriorly and, passing 

 below the ejaculatory duct, opens in the pharynx on either 

 side just behind the teeth. This bag is compressed laterally, 

 and tapers backward. It is abundantly su])plied with elastic 

 fibres, which line it interiorly ; and to its anterior margin is 

 attached the adductor muscle of the teeth already described. 



Ejaculatory Vessels. — These pass from the oral papillae 

 upward and inward over the salivary bags, to lie above the 

 stomach (PI. XVII. fig. 1, a). The anterior portion suddenly 

 expands to form a receptacle for the viscous fluid (PI. XVII. 

 fig. 3), which is ejected by means of the spiral muscles already 

 described. The narrow portion of the vessel is produced into 

 the receptacle (fig. 3, a), and doubtless forms a valve which 

 closes when the fluid is being ejected. These vessels extend 

 backward to the posterior extremity of the body, and send off 

 branches on either side, which penetrate almost everywhere 

 in the perivisceral cavity. The branches are simple or rarely 

 branched, about '005 inch in diameter, alternate and of various 

 lengths (PI. XVII. fig. 4). Their terminations are closed 

 and rounded ; and they do not taper towards the end. They 

 consist of a membranous sheath lined internally by a layer of 

 large epithelial cells. They contain numerous granulated 

 cells, about '0007 inch in diameter, freely floating in a limpid 

 fluid. The viscid fluid when ejected dries very quickly on 

 exposure to the air, and is so tenacious that the finger is with 

 difficulty removed if stuck to the table with it. It coagulates 

 at once and hardens in alcohol. I have never succeeded in 

 making them eject it under Avater. 



Respiratm-y System. — Respiration is by means of trachea?, 

 a row of wdiich are situated on eitlier side of the back, alter- 

 nating with the legs (PI. XVII. fig. 1, ^>) ; these decrease in 



