1903.] OLIGOCH^TA FROM NEW ZEALAND. 215 



ii. to vii. They are all narrow, of about the same diameter, and 

 put the dorsal and ventral vessels into communication at the 

 hinder part of each of these segments. It appears to me that in 

 this region the dorsal and supra-intestinal vessels are connected at 

 the septum, and that it is at this point of fusion that the commis- 

 sural vessels start. This union does not occur in Lophochceta or 

 Bothrioneuron, in which the vascular system has been so well 



figured by Stole. 



I cannot detect any integumental network in spite of repeated 

 examination of various individuals, in difierent media. 



The nephridia are not enclosed in vesicular cells. 



The brain is very slightly notched posteriorly. 



The Eeproduciive Systetn. — The spermiducal funnel is large and 

 flat, and has the usual position on the hinder wall of segment x. 

 The sperm-duct takes a much undulated course, pushing the 

 septum xi./xii. backwards. The duct gradually widens in this 

 region to form the atrium, which receives a quite small lobulated 

 " spermiducal gland " (prostate. Cement-druse) ; it then passes 

 forwards to become the penis. 



The muscles of the penis are spirally disposed, as in some other 

 species. 



The chitinous penial tube is of considerable length, about 10 

 times as long as the basal diameter, and when the worm is com- 

 pressed it extends through segments xi. and xii., reaching nearly 

 to the posterior end of the latter. The free extremity is suddenly 

 expanded to form what appears in side view to be a thin flat 

 plate, the margin of which may be even slightly reflexed 

 (PI. XXY. figs. 14, 15). _ _ 



ThBp)enis is almost straight, its slight curvature being possibly 

 due to compression, as it is not constantly identical in amount ; 

 but there is no sudden bend as in the species next to be described. 

 I could detect no "valvular apparatus" at the aperture of the 

 penis. 



The spermatheca appears to be variable in form ; in one entire 

 individual it was spirally coiled, so that the ampulla — an elon- 

 gated ovoid- — formed the larger coil, and the narrower duct an 

 inner, smaller coil ; while in another case the ampulla was more 

 globular (PL XXV. figs. 16, 17). The duct is about half the 

 length of the ampulla. 



I obsei'ved no spermatophores. 



Dimensions. Length 20-25 mm. ; diameter | to 1 mm. The 

 number of segments in one specimen was 66 -f- a regenerated 

 tail of 33 very short ones ; and in another 75 -j- 40 very small 

 segments. 



Localities. Lakes "Waikare and Waikaremoana, North Island, 

 New Zealand. 



Remarks. — This species, so far at least as the general form of 

 the penial tube is concerned, is most nearly allied to L. clapare- 

 dianus Ratzel ; but the latter species is of much greater size, 

 viz., from 50-80 mm., and its clijetfe are from 5 to 10 per bundle ; 



