AN OLIGOCH.ETE WORM, 



311 



and the duct leading to the exterior. The anteseptal portion 

 is small and consists of the funnel (fig. 13 b). This funnel is 

 composed of two lips. From the extremity of the upper lip are 

 given off numerous very fine cilia, which wave about independ- 

 ently in the body-cavity. From the inner surface of the vipper 

 lip there also arises a number of long cilia, but unlike the external 

 cilia these move simultaneously and rhythmically, forming an un- 

 dulating bunch. The function of this bunch of undulating cilia 

 is undoubtedly to propel liquid down the canal which leads from 

 the funnel. The flattened body of the nephridium consists of 

 granular cells, through which runs the nephridial canal. At 

 numerous points (usually about 4 or 5), but not continuously 

 through this canal, one can see bunches or "flames" of cilia 

 similar to the bunch in the funnel. All this ciliary action can 

 be observed in the living worm. The dvict leading to the exterior 

 is broad, and is given off fi-om the posterior end of the body of 

 the nephridium. The nephridiopores are arranged definitely on 

 a band of tissue running longitudinally along each ventro-lateral 

 surface, and the nephridiopore is always situated on this band 

 just anterior to the seise of each segment (text-fig. 66). 



Text-fie-. 66. 



Sep, 



set. 



Drawing to show the position of tlie nephridiopores in Enc/ii/trceus pellucidas. 

 Sep., septum ; set., setas (ventral) ; n.p., nephridiopore. 



Septal Glands. — The septal glands are organs of unknown 

 function situated in segments 4, 5, and 6, and attached to the 

 posterior septum of each of tliese segments. They are always 

 present, both in quite young Enchytra^ids and in old mature 

 ones. In the living worm they appear as lobed organs surrounding 

 the gut. Each gland consists of four lobes, which project 

 forwards and surround the gut, being united on the dorsal side 

 but not on the ventral. Fig. 14 (PI. XLVIII.) shows a semi- 

 diagramraatic drawing of these organs in situ, which has been 

 obtained by reconstruction from a series of ti-ansverse and 

 longitudinal sections. The septal glands are solid organs with 

 no central cavity. I have examined numerous series of transverse 

 sections, but have never been able to discover any opening into 

 the gut. The gland itself (PI. XLVIII. fig. 15 a & 6) consists of 

 two parts ; one part, which comprises the bulk of the gland, is 

 composed of solid blocks of tissue. These are remarkable for 

 the readiness with which they take up stains such as Hsemalum, 



