8 ON THE ANATOMY OF MEGASCOLIDES AUSTRALIS, 
Mr. Fircusr, be called the clitellar region, as its curious glandular development 
corresponds with that characteristic of the same part in other earth worms. In 
addition to this, there are present usually three and rarely four light-coloured and 
very prominent bands* (Plate 1, fig 1, clt.) on the ventral surface in the clitellar region. 
The first of these lies, as in the figure, partly on segment 17 and partly on segment 
18, the second in a similar manner on segments 18 and 19, the third on segments 
19 and 20, and the fourth, when present, on segments 20 and 21. 
The openings connected with the genital organs are not difficult to see im 
Specimens in anything like a good state of preservation. 
1.—Spermathecal Pores (Fig. 1 rs‘ 0., 7s’ 0.) on the ventral surface very slightly in 
front of the grooves separating segments 7 and 8 and segments 8 and 9 respectively. 
Each pair is surrounded, as in the figure, by a slight line-marking on the 
surface of the skin, though these are too strongly indicated in the figure. 
2.—Oviduct Pores (Fig. 1, fo.), just in front of but nearer to the mid ventral 
line than the innermost setze in segment 14. 
3.—Vas Deferens Openings (Fig. 1, mo.) These are always evident and are 
placed on two slight papille within the second ridge in the clitellar region, one in 
the position of each of the two most ventral pairs of sete. As above said, the setz 
corresponding to this position cannot be found. 
No nephridiopores are visible. 
2.—Septa. Immediately on opening the body cavity, one of the most striking 
features presented is the enormous development of the anterior septa.t (Fig. 2, sept.) 
For the first fourteen segments they form, as it were, deep cups, with their 
concavities facing forwards (Figs. 2, 3, and 4), each cup fitting into the one lying 
posteriorly to it. The septa are connected with each other and with the body wall 
by strong muscular slips. (m.) Passing backwards, the septa become gradually 
* This happened in the case of two out of some three or four dozen specimens examined by myself. 
Both these worms were found in March, but, save in this particular respect, agreed with all other specimens 
procured at other times of the year. 
+ In Professor McCoy’s description, these ridges are said to represent an imperfect clitellum or 
cingulum. In view of the fact stated above, that the whole region from segments 13-21 has the skin 
modified in the manner which is so characteristic of a clitellum in other earth worms, itis perhaps preferable 
to call this portion of the body the clitellar regions, and to regard these ridges as special developments of the 
same part. In Professor McCovy’s description, these ridges are stated to occur between the 32nd, 33rd, and 
34th rings (the word “ring” in his description is evidently, from its relationship to the setz, &c., used as the 
equivalent of segment), a mistake which must be attributed to the counting of the annuli as segments. The 
position of the structures on the segments named by Mr. Fuercuer and myself can easily be verified by 
counting the septa internally. 
{ Cf. Bennam. WMicrocheta rappi. Q.J.M.S. Feb. 1886. Plate 15. 
