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ON SOME EARTHWORMS FROM INDIA. 



By Sophie M. Fedarb. 



( With two Plates.) 



{Read before the Bombay Natural History Society on l&th April, 1896.) 



These worms have been collected by Messrs. H. Ferguson, A. 

 Gleadow and R. C. Wroughton in Travancore, Poona, and North 

 Konkan, and sent through the kindness of Mr. E. H. Aitken. By the 

 generosity of Mr. F. E. Beddard, M.A., F.R.S., I have been allowed 

 to examine them in his laboratory at the Zoological Society's Gardens. 

 The collection contains Eudrilus eugenice, a PerichcBta, a Megascolex 

 and some species of Benhamia. These last coming from India are 

 extremely interesting. Hitherto the genus Benhamia has been restricted 

 to Africa, though introduced forms have occurred in India, and also some 

 small species have been discovered in the Malay Archipelago. But 

 Dr. Michaelsen is of opinion, that for several reasons — their size among 

 other things — they are artificially located. The specimens under con- 

 sideration may. of course, be in the same position ; but the existence of 

 modified organs, not similar to those found in any from African 

 renders it possible that they may be indigenous, and some even belong 

 to a new genus. 



I. Benhamia aitkeni, n. sp. (Plate I, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7). 



This worm is 119 mm. long and 3 mm. broad, and has 180 segments* 



The clitellum extends from XIII to XVII. The setse appear 

 through to some extent. 



There are eight setse in each segment. The dorsal space is of con- 

 siderable size, while the ventral is very small. The setae are paired, 

 but not at all closely. The ventral pair are closer together than the 

 dorsal, which latter are as far from the ventral pair as their two setae 

 are apart. Between the four ventral setaa, a pilose line is developed. 

 There are no ventral pairs on segments XVII, XVII f, and XIX„ 

 though XVIII has the dorsal pairs. 



The oviducal pore is single and appears on a marked area in the 

 clitellum. 



The male pores are very small and close together on XVIII. 



The spermiducal pores on XVII and XIX are furnished with setse. 

 They are smooth and much resemble the others in shape, except that 



