212 MR. F. E. BEDDARD OX THE OLIGOCH^TE [Mar. 6, 



Firstly, Metschaina tmiganyikce has a definite spei-matliecal sac 

 which I have already described ; secondly, the worms which I have 

 examined are near to maturity, and not in the very young stages 

 described by me in Eudrilus. Thirdly (perhaps), there is no trace 

 of any sac involving the ovaries. This argument will be clear if 

 the comparison be made with the developmental figures in my 

 paper upon Euch'ilus quoted. 



In comparing more exactly the female reproductive system of 

 this genus with that of Eudriloides, to which it obviously bears 

 a closer likeness than to that of any other genus of Eudrilid, 

 there are difierences to be noted. In Eudriloides durbmiensis, for 

 example, the oviduct, although, as in the present species, it perforates 

 the septum dividing segments xiii./xiv. twice, depending, therefore, 

 as a loop into segment xiii., has no muscular sheath and is a delicate 

 tube as in so many earthworms. In the present speciesthe oviducal 

 tube is thickly ensheathed with mxiscular fibres. The male organs 

 furnish the principal reason which leads me to refer this worm to 

 the genus Metschaiita. There are, contrary to what is found in 

 Eudriloides* , tioo pair of testes, which lie, of course, in segments 

 X. and xi. The funnels are opposite to them. The funnels face 

 the opposite wall of the segments into which they open. There is 

 no turning round and facing back into the segment behind such 

 as occurs in several Evidrilidae. The sperm-ducts retain their in- 

 dividuality, and after perforating the sheath of the atria on each 

 side open into the caeca! extremity of that gland. 



The tioo atria or sjyermiducal glands are qviite separate, though 

 opening by the same external pore. The penial seta of each side 

 is long and runs obliquely through two segments. I am unable 

 to describe its pattern, as I could not reproduce the whole of it 

 from the sections. 



The sperm-sacs of this Eudrilid are, as is so often the case, 

 attached to the front walls of segments xi. and xii. 



The above-given account of this species justifies me, as I think, 

 in regarding it as a new species of Metschaina. I do not, how- 

 ever, think it desirable to draw up a diagnosis for comparison 

 with that given by Michaelsen for the other species of the genus, 

 since I am unable to speak positively upon certain features 

 of importance for systematic purposes. The principal points 

 characterising the present species which I have ascertained 

 appear to be the following : — The calciferous glands are more 

 numerous. There are dorsal pores present. The actual form of 

 the oviduct also is not as Michaelsen has described and figured it 

 for Metschaina suctoria. 



Ocnerodrilus (Ilyogenia) ciinningtoni, sp. n. 



Of this species several examples were preserved. They were 



* It must be recallfid, however, that oecasioiially two jiaivs of testes have been 

 t'cund in an apparent 'Eudriloides {cf. Beddard, Q.J. M. S. xxxvi., n. s. p. 212). 



