664 DR. A. G. BOURNE ON INDIAN EARTHWORMS. [DeC. 21, 



numerous forms which I have called Perichceta it extends in many 

 forms (as in P. armata, Bedd.) over four somites, and in one form 

 over five somites instead of three. 



So, as they stand, these generic distinctions seem to me to be of 

 little value. I am, however, inclined to hope that a careful anato- 

 mical study in the fresh state of the large variety of forms which I 

 have already discovered (I have, moreover, every reason to believe 

 that the field is as yet by no means exhausted') will enable me to 

 group these very interesting forms in a more rational manner. I do 

 not think that the classification suggested by Benham^ will turn out 

 to be a very natural one. I refrain, however, from making any 

 suggestions myself in this preliminary note, as I expect that the 

 natural classification will have to be based upon the result of very 

 careful examination of a very large number of fresh forms. I shall 

 doubtless be able ere long to go to Ceylon, Burmah, Java, and other 

 places, and compare fresh specimens of the forms which have been 

 described from these regions with my Indian species. 



I have in the present note spoken of all the forms as Peri- 

 chceta, with the exception of Perionyx saltans, although I believe 

 that the differences have in many cases a full generic value. A. 

 glance at my tabular statement (p. 665) will show what great differ- 

 ences exist. 



Perich^ta lawsoni, sp. n. 



The clitellum extends over somites xiv., xv., xvi., and xvii., but 

 is very slightly marked. Even in adult specimens it requires careful 

 examination to detect any external difference between these somites 

 and the ordinary somites of the body. There is, however, no 

 doubt as to its existence and extent in either this or the following 

 species, P. bivaginata. 



The male pores are placed on somite xviii. There are no 

 papillae. The oviducts open separately, although very near the 

 median line, in somite xiv. There are two pairs of spermathecse ; 

 these are placed in somites viii. and ix. The spermathecal pores 

 open between somites vii. and viii., and viii. and ix., respectively. I 

 have found no nephridia. The gizzard is situated in somite x. 

 Intestinal caeca are present in somite xxvi. and run forward to somite 

 xxiii. 



There are from 30-35 setae in each somite, which are arranged so 

 as to leave small gaps in the median, dorsal, and ventral line. The 

 ventral gap is equivalent to about two ordinary gaps, and the dorsal 

 gap to about three ordinary gaps. The setae are present on the 

 clitellar somites and are arranged as in the other somites. No 

 modified genital setae were observed. 



Length 250 millim., circumference 7 mm. ; number of somites 119. 



Hub. Ootacamund, Nilgiris, at an elevation of about 7000 feet. 



' In the one week which I recently spent in the Salem and Yercaud district, 

 it -vfill be seen that I discovered three new species of Perich<Bta, besides other 

 forms. 



^ Quart. Journ. Microsc. 8ci. vol. xxvi. n. s. p. 225. 



