DESCRIPTIONS OF GENERA AND SPECIES 673 



in the points mentioned in the above diagnosis. The setae are, however, ornamented 

 with transverse ridges at the free extremity, as in the majority of Geoscolicidae ; it 

 is quite possible that a renewed examination of the two last species will show that 

 the same character exists, for it is one which it is most easy to o'v'erlook ; the first 

 two segments of the body are more distinct than they are in either of the two last 

 species ; but the second segment of the body has no setae ; in this particular there- 

 fore the present species is intermediate between M. rappi and M. helli. The gizzard 

 appears to occupy the sixth segment instead of the seventh. 



(4) Microchaeta belli, Bbnham. 

 M. belli, Benham, P. Z. S., 189a, p. 147. 



Definition. Length, 200 mm. CUteUum, XIII-XXI. Calciferous glands, one pair, occupying 

 segments IX, X. Testes, one pair. Spermathecae, two pairs in each of segments XII, XIII. 

 Copulatory papillae on XIII. Hah. — East London, Cape Colony. 



This species comes nearer to M. beddardi than does the last ; it has, however, 

 ornamented setae like the last species. The anterior segments are hi- or tri-annulate. 

 The apertures of the sperm-duct may be as far forward as the sixteenth segment ; 

 Benham traced them as far back as to that segment where they appeared to enter 

 the thickness of the body-wall ; it is, however, quite possible that they are continued 

 further within the body-wall before opening on to the exterior. The dorsal vessel is, 

 as in M. beddardi, doubled in three segments only. 



(5) Microchaeta benhami, Rosa. 



M. Benhami, Rosa, Ann. K. Hofm. Wien, Bd. vi, 1891, p. 38a. 



Definition. Length, 300 mm.; number of segments, 350. Clitellum, XIV-XXVII. Cal- 

 ciferous gland in X. Testes, two pairs. Spermathecae, six pairs in XI-XVI. Copulatory 

 glands in XI-XXVIIL Hob. ? 



This species of Microchaeta differs in several particulars from any other. In the 

 first place it is stated by Rosa to possess no prostomium ; this character, it is true, 

 is not by any means unknown in the family Geoscolicidae, but it has not been met 

 with in any other of the Old -World genera. The setae do not commence before the 

 sixth segment. The male pores lie intersegmentally between xx/xxi. As to internal 

 characters, there are only three specially thickened septa — those limiting segments 



4 B 



