1886. } LITTLE-KNOWN EARTHWORMS. 309 
and this character serves to distinguish the genus from Pericheta 
in addition to those mentioned by Perrier. 
Between the 7th and 8th and the 8th and 9th segments are the 
orifices of the spermathecee, which lie in the 8th and 9th segments 
respectively ; the orifices are near to the ventral median line. On 
the 12th segment anterior to the circle of setz is the single median 
aperture of the oviducts. 
On the 18th segment are the paired apertures of the vasa de- 
ferentia, which lie close together upon two slightly raised papille* 
situated in an oval depressed area (see fig. 5, p. 310). 
Among rather more than 400 individuals I observed the following 
varieties :— 
(1) The spermathecze were situated in segments 7 and 8; the 
female generative pore was upon segment 11; the male generative 
pores upon segment 16. ‘The clitellum occupied segments 12-15 
inclusive (fig. 3). 
(2) The female generative pores were two, one upon each of the 
two segments 13 and 14; they were unpaired and median ; the male 
generative pores occupied the normal position upon segment 18. 
(3) The spermathece were normal, viz. two pairsin 8 and 9. The 
female generative pores were paired as in the last variety, and occupied 
the same segments (viz. 13 and 14); the male pores were upon 
segment 17. The clitellum extended from segments 13-17. 
(4) The female generative pores occupy segments 15 and 16; the 
male pores are upon segment 20. 
(5) Of this variety there were two examples. In one the 
spermathece are normal, in segments 8 and 9. In both the feinale 
pores are paired, but situated close to each other on the 14th segment ; 
the male pores occupy the normal position upon the 18th segment. 
In one specimen the clitellum extended from 13-17. 
(6) The spermathece are present to the number of two pairs, but 
are situated in segments 6 and 7 ; the single female generative pore 
is upon segment 10. There are apparently three pairs of male 
generative pores upon segments 14, 15, and 16; only the two first 
pairs were furnished with prostate glands ; the hinder pair therefore 
are probably to be compared to genital papillee (fig. 4). 
(7) The female pores are upon segments 15 and 16; the male 
pores ocenpy the normal position upon segment 18. 
(8) The female pores are upon segments 14 and 15; the male 
pores upon segment 18. 
(9) In this variety there are three pairs of spermathece, occupying 
1 Ina description of a new species of Periunya (P. macintoshii, Ann. & 
Mag. Nat. Hist. 1883, xii. p. 217) I have described the openings of the vasa de- 
ferentia as differing from those of P. excavatus in being placed in an area which 
is not depressed below the level of the surreunding integument. I find by an 
examination of a large series of P. excavatus that this supposed specific dis- 
tinction is probably due to the immaturity of the single specimen of P. macin- 
toshii; in immature examples of P. excavatus the male genital appertures are 
precisely as I have described them in P. macintoshii. The latter species, 
however, seems to me to be distinct on account of the structure of the prostate 
glands and the thickened mesenteries of segments 6-9. 
