Southern — 3Ionograph of the British and Irish Oligochceta. 141 



The pharynx reaches to the back of the 5th segment. From the 6th 

 segment the intestine is covered with dark cells. The brain (fig. 6, b) is 

 deeply indented behind, with a median flap. It projects prominently in front. 

 The nerve-cord has wing-like expansions in each segment, resembling the 

 copulatory glands of the Enchytrteidse (fig, 6, c). These are present in very 

 young forms, and are not glandular, but mere expansions of the nerve-cord. 

 There are paired contractile hearts in segments 8 and 9. The nephridia are 

 enveloped in large bladder-like cells, such as are found in some species of 

 Limnodrilus. The spermathecas are composed of an irregularly spherical sac 

 with a sharply defined duct (fig. 6, d). In one specimen, long and slender 

 spermatophores were observed in the spermathecse. The male efferent 

 apparatus (fig. 6, e) consists of a cup-shaped funnel, a long duct which is 

 dUated at its distal end, just before the entrance of the prostate gland. The 

 dilation is ciliated internally ; and from the position of the prostate, it must 

 be regarded as the proximal part of the atiium. 



The atrium is almost as long as the narrow portion of the sperm-duct. 

 At its distal end is a well-developed chitinous sheath. The latter (fig. 6, r) is 

 slightly curved; and its proximal end is much wider than its distal. It is 

 about twice as long as its greatest width. 



This species is chiefly characterized by the brain and penis-sheath. 



Mature — January, March. 



Hctbitat — Pond in People's Gardens, Phoenix Park, Dublin. 



FamHy LUMBRICULID^. 



Only two species of this family have been found, though doubtless several 

 others occur. 



Lumbriculus variegatus (Miill.). 



1896. L.V., Friend in Irish Nat., p. 126. 



This is by far the commonest aquatic Oligochaete in the British Isles. It 

 is almost in-s^ariably found amongst the weeds in pools, streams, ponds, etc. 



Matiire—'M.dij . 



Habitat — Ireland. Common in Cos. Dublin, Wicklow, Cavan. 

 England. Adlington, Lancashire. 



Distribution — British Isles ; Europe ; Siberia. 



