312 ME. H. H. STIRRUP ON 



Haematoxylin, etc. The other part is in the nature of a connecting- 

 link, and might be called the "core" of the septal glands. It 

 consists of two solid nucleated strands, one on each side of the 

 gut, which only stain slightly and connect together all the septal 

 glands. Now, if these connecting-strands were hollow or tubular, 

 one could easily understand that the septal glands were, in 

 reality, glands, and that the connecting-strand was a duct to 

 carry off their secretions. But the connecting-strands are solid, 

 and appear quite incapable of carrying any liquid secretion. 

 I have also been struck by the resemblance which these 

 connecting-strands bear to nervous cords or sti^ands, but in tracing 

 them through series of sections I have been unable to find any 

 connection with the main nervous system. 



In segment 4, these solid strands leave the substance of the 

 first septal gland and travel forwards parallel and close to the 

 saliva;ry glands. They then move towards the dorsal side and 

 finally enter the substance of the large pharyngeal ingrowth on 

 the dorsal side, first dividing into four or five branches (fig. 14). 



Significance of Septal Glands.— Oy^mg to the lack of observation 

 upon the development of these organs there is considerable doubt 

 as to their morphology, and still more as to their function. 

 Beddard (1), quoting Vejdovsky, shows that they are of widespread 

 occurrence in Oligocheetes. They even occur in the early stages 

 of Lumbricidaj, but disappear in the course of development. Up 

 to the present time these glands have been regarded as single 

 and not compound structures. The above description shows that 

 they contain two distinct anatomical components. 



The strands connecting the septal glands with the pharynx 

 are not muscular, and therefore it seems as if they are not 

 merely supporting strands. Neither are they ducts, and there- 

 fore, if the septal glands have a glandular function, one wonders 

 how this internal secretion is transmitted to its destination. I 

 am inclined to the view that the connecting solid strands are 

 nervous, and if some connection with the central nervous system 

 could be found, it would make the problem of solving what these 

 organs are, considerably easier. If the connecting-strand is an 

 epithelial structure, it is quite possible that it may originate as 

 an outgrowth from the pharynx (c/. Outgrowths in Capitellids of 

 Eisig), but even this will not explain the " core," which has such 

 a delicate fibrillar structure. Nor can a simple septal origin be 

 accepted, since in that case it would be difficult to understand 

 the "gland" opening into the pharynx. 



Reproductive Organs. — All existing accounts of the reproductive 

 organs of Enchytrseids are vague and incomplete. Certain of 

 the reproductive organs are well understood, e. g. the male 

 efferent apparatus consisting of the sperm-funnel and sperm-duct ; 

 but, on the other hand, the question of the female opening, the 

 oviducts (if present), and the problem as to how such large ova as 

 are found in Enchytrseids escape by such insignificant female 

 pores, are still unsolved. 



