196 BEDDARD. 



this is particularly to be seen in the case of segments XI and 

 XII. In fact, septa X/XI and XI/XII are the thickest of the 

 whole series. The septa in front of, and 1 septum behind, this 

 series are also thick. They are connected to each other by many 

 muscular strands of a tendinous appearance. 



The alimentary tract has one feature of importance from a 

 systematic point of view and that is the total absence of any 

 trace of cseca. I was unable to find those outgrowths in either of 

 the two examples studied and, therefore, presume that they are 

 absent in the species. The intestine begins in segment XV. The 

 gizzard lies in a single segment, the Vlllth, as already mentioned. 



The organs connected with reproduction show some interesting 

 features in the present species. The testes and sperm-duct fun- 

 nels lie in segments X and XI as in all other species in which 

 there are 2 pairs of gonads. However, they do not appear to be 

 inclosed in testicular sacs which are so obvious in other species, 

 but to lie freely in the segments. It might be remarked in criti- 

 cism that it is hard to prove a negative and that delicate sacs 

 enveloping the gonads may have been cut into and missed- I 

 would rather base my statement, therefore, on positive than on 

 negative facts. But the latter must be considered and it is 

 pointed out that the funnels and gonads were easily exposed, 

 apparently without cutting into any testicular sacs. Simply cut- 

 ting along the line of attachment of the septa to the body wall 

 until the region of the gonads was reached, brought the latter 

 and their corresponding funnels into view at once. 



A more positive argument is as follows, and although it only 

 applies with certainty to the gonads and funnels of the Xlth 

 segment, it establishes the facts — that is, if it be accepted as an 

 argument. In opening segment XI in both specimens of Phere- 

 tima monticola, the testes and funnels were easily seen, and 

 arising from the anterior wall of the segment the sperm sacs 

 belonging to it. The origin of each of these latter sacs was just 

 above the testis belonging to it. The sac was quite as independ- 

 ent of the testis as is the ovisac (commonly present in this 

 genus) of the ovary which, also, lies beneath it in a position 

 very like that of the testis. As is abundantly shown in many 

 figures and diagrams of the reproductive organs of Pheretima, 

 the sperm sacs are outgrowths (secondary, perhaps) of the sperm 

 reservoirs or testicular sacs. It is fair, therefore, to presume 

 that testicular sacs, at any rate in segment XI, are wanting in 

 Pheretima monticola. Sperm sacs occur in segments XI and 



