66 MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON [Feb. 4, 



is merely an abnormality of no special interest ; on the other hand 

 it occurred in both specimens, the only ones which I possess of this 

 species. If a structural peculiarity is found in two specimens 

 selected at random, there is, as it appears to me, considerable 

 probability in favour of the structure being a normal one ; at the 

 same time an asymmetry of this kind is most surprising in so 

 typically a bilaterally symmetrical worm as Perichceta. I mention 

 the fact therefore for what it is worth, without venturing to commit 

 myself to a definite opinion as to whether it is normal or abnormal ^. 



The sperm-sacs in both examples were limited to a single pair of 

 large greyish kidney-shaped bodies attached to the anterior mesen- 

 tery of segment 12, the last of the three specially thickened mesen- 

 teries. Lying upon each of these (again in both specimens), but 

 attached separately to the mesentery, was a pedunculated sac (Plate 

 V. fig. 7) of a brownish colour entirely filled with Gregarines. I am 

 not at present able to say whether this sac is a part of the sperm-sac 

 pathologically altered by the presence of these parasites or not. 



The ovaries are large and situated in the usual position in 

 segment 13. 



In the next segment are a pair of bodies of similar shape and 

 occupying an exactly corresponding position, which I regard as 

 receptacula ovorum. 



Perich^ta vaillanti ^ n. sp. 



Of this new species I only have a single example ; like P. 

 hiserialis it comes from Manila, and was collected near that town 

 by Mr. Herbert Barwell, to whom my thanks are due for a large 

 number of Earthworms collected in Luzon. 



The colour (in alcohol) is a yellowish brown, the yellow tint 

 being particularly marked upon the clitellum. 



The prostomium is small and does not extend far over the peri- 

 stomial segment. 



The setcE form a continuous row round each segment. 



The male generative pores are upon the 18th segment. 



There are no genital papiltce. 



The clitellum occupies segments 14-16 inclusive, and as in other 

 species of Perichceta is developed all round the body ; there are no 

 setse upon it. 



The oviducal pore is single and median upon segment 14. 



Dorsal pores are present. 



The apertures of the spermathecce are very conspicuous on the 

 intersj)aces between segments .5-6, &-7, 7-8, 8-9. 



There are no specially thickened mesenteries at all. 



The nephridia form, as in other Perichcetce, a series of scattered 

 tufts. 



^ In a preliminary note iu the ' Zoologischer Anzeiger,' Bd. xii. no. 318, I 

 erroneously stated that the doubling of the spermatheca affected that of the 8th 

 segment in both cases. 



^ Named after M. Leon Vaillant. 



