32 MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON EARTHWORMS [Jan. 5, 



beyond the atrium, and, I imagine, open just at the atriopore, as 

 in Ocnerodrilas ; but I am not certain about this. The atriopore 

 is situated just to the outside of the ventralmost seta, which is not 

 modified in any way ; there are, in fact, no penial setae, such as 

 occur in the other two species of the genus. 



The ovaries are in segment xiii. The oviducts open by funnels 

 into this segment opposite to the ovaries, and open to the exterior on 

 segment xiv. Receptacula ovorum are present, and are of consi- 

 derable size relatively to the sperm-sacs. 



There is a single pair of spermatothecse present in segment ix. ; 

 each opens on to the exterior just behind the septum which separates 

 this segment from the one in front and in a line with the ventral 

 seta. Each spermatotheca consists of an oval pouch and a single 

 narrow diverticulum opening into it in front. 



MiCROSCOLEX POULTONI, n. Sp. 



It may be permissible to append to this paper the .description of a 

 fourth species oi Microscolex, of which a number of examples were 

 kindly collected for me in Madeira by Mr. E. B. Poulton, F.R.S. 

 They measure, when preserved, about an inch in length ; they are 

 of a brown colour, the clitellum being orange. 



The clitellum is variable in extent, always, however, including 

 segments xiv.-xvi. ; in some specimens a part or the whole of seg- 

 ments xiii. and xvii. belonged also to the clitellum. Segments xiv.- 

 xvi. were much broader than those innnediately adjoining. 



The setce are disposed as in other species of the genus ; but upon 

 the clitellum the ventral pair of setse of each side get very much 

 closer together. 



On segments xiv., xv., xvi., and xviii. the ventral setse (see draw- 

 ing, fig. I, p. 33) are separated from each other by a distance 

 which is less than half that which separates the corresponding setae 

 of segment x. From segment xix. backwards, and from segment 

 xiii. forwards, tlie distance between the two ventral setae of each 

 side gradually increases. 



The male pores are upon segment xvii. ; each is situated upon an 

 oval elevation, and through the aperture itself protrudes a single 

 penial seta, which corresponds in position to the innermost seta of 

 the ventral pair. The penial setae of this Microscolex are (see 

 fig. 2, p. 34) long, slightly curved, and not ornamented at the 

 free extremity ; when examined under a high power they show a 

 faint transverse striation which marks the successive deposits of 

 chitinous matter in the formation of the seta. There is a slight 

 notch some little way in front of the distal extremity. 



The pharynx occupies the first 5 segments or so ; there is not a 

 great development of glands upon its upper surface, and there is no 

 continuation of these septal glands into the oesophageal segments, 

 such as occurs in Microscolex algeriensis. The cesophagus imme- 

 diately following the pharynx has, perhaps, slightly thicker walls 

 than the hinder part ; but there is nothing that can be fairly termed 

 a gizzard. 



