<08 "N I HI. SI'KKM \T(M'IKtltl.S Ol' BKNJIAMIA. |l)ec. IT, 



force of gravity, if for no other reason, is impossible for me to 

 explain. The fact that these small cases are found in both the 

 upper, larger, and the lower, smaller, half of the spermathecal 

 pouch seems to me to show that they are formed in the first-named 

 division of the spermatheca, and gradually make their way down- 

 wards. The cells which line the spermathecal pouch are tall and 

 columnar, and may easily be responsible for the formation of the 

 chitinoue case, though I have no positive facts at my disposal 

 which allow me to assert this mode of origin for the oases. The 

 case itself does not show the complication of structure that is 

 exhibited by the quiver-like case within the duct of the sperma- 

 theca. It is uot thick, and shows no structure except some 

 stratification. Now so far L have mentioned no connection 

 between the small pear-shaped chitinoue cases found in the 

 spermathecal pouch and the large long case found in the sperma- 

 thecal duct. There is, however, a connection which is in my 

 opinion quite extraordinary. In specimens with what I consider 

 to be fully-formed spermatophores, the top of the lower case, its 

 trumpet-shaped funnel, is plugged by these small pear-shaped 

 cases, by one of them at least, which, as it is pear-shaped and as 

 the mouth of the trumpet-like case gradually diminishes in calibre. 

 completely closes its orifice, and possibly tits in and remains in 

 position by the simple process of being jambed tight within the tube. 

 In any case 1 have (as is shown in text-tig. i»^, p. 705) found the 

 two in this juxtaposition. Il seems to me that the small sperm- 

 holding case gradually falls down, and therefore must end by 

 falling into the widely open mouth of the chitinous tube below, 

 as that tube completely blocks the orifice of the spermatheca. 

 It exactly suggests a cup and ball. 



I can see no other interpretation of the facts at my disposal 

 than that which has been suggested. But in any case we have 

 here, as apparently in other species of Benhamia, a spermatophore 

 undoubtedly formed in the spermatheca, and not possibly to he 

 accounted for by ihe activity of the glandular epithelium of the 

 spermiducal glands ; that is to say, the moulding at least must be 

 accomplished within the spermatheca, though it is conceivable that 

 the material may be derived from the spermiducal glands, lint 

 even this amount of share appears !o me to be doubtful by reason 

 of the apparent correspondence of the outer layer of the sperina- 

 tophoral case with the epithelium of the spermathecal duct. 

 What i< the ultimate fate of these spermatophores must for the 

 present be left undetermined. They have never been observed 

 adherent to the body externally as in ihe case of the Lumbricicla- 

 and the Geoscolecid genus Alma. If they are transferred to the 

 cocoon along with the ripe ova, the formation of such an elaborate 

 case appears to be a work of unnecessary activity. The unprotected 

 sperm could, one would be disposed to consider, be conveyed 

 thither without any difficulty or risk of lo^<. We are, however, 

 totally unacquainted with the mode of copulation and fertilization 

 of these Annelids. The occurrence of spermatophores in those 



