80 EAKTHWOBMS. 



young ; the majority are hermaphrodites, the testes being 

 paired. The development is often direct ; the eggs are laid in 

 patches or cocoons, and give origin direct to young -worms. 



A larval form is, however, found in some marine species 

 [CluBtopoda) known as Lov^n's Larva, whose growth resembles 

 in many respects the growth of a scolex into a Tapeworm. 



Annelids move by three different processes : (i) by simple 

 setae or bristles placed in the cutis, Earthworms (Oligochmta) ; 

 (ii) by structures known as parapodia, bristle-bearing unjointed 

 appendages (Qhcetopoda) ; and (iii) by terminal suckers 

 (Himditiea). 



Reprodtiction may be asexual, by fission and by gemmation in 

 the long axis (Chmtopoda). As a rule, it is sexual, when the 

 worms may be hermaphrodites {Oligochmta, Hirudinea) or of 

 separate sexes (Marine Ghoetopoda). The food very largely 

 consists of animal matter; at other times, as in the Earth- 

 worms, of decaying vegetation. 



Classification of Annelids. 



1. Chsetopoda ■! „,. , ,' 



( OligochEeta 



2. Gephyrea (unsegmented). 



3. Hirudinea. 



The Gephyrea, being all marine, we can dismiss at once : 

 each of the other two groups is of more or less importance, for 

 the former contains the beneficial Earthworms, whose workings 

 have been so ably expounded by Darwin ; ^ and the latter in- 

 cludes the often obnoxious, although at times useful. Leeches. 



Earthworms (Lumbrici). 



The Earthworms belong to the Chsetopod group Oligochoitm, 

 which are characterised by being terrestrial, having no parapodia 

 ^ The Formation of Vegetable Mould and Earthworms. Darwin. 



