72 THE EARTHWORM. 



pairs of globular sacs lying in the hinder parts 

 of segments ix. and x. respectively. Their ducts, 

 which are short, run backwards and open to the 

 exterior in the grooves between the ninth and 

 tenth, and the tenth and eleventh segments, 

 respectively, just within the line of the outer 

 double row of setas. 



In these the seminal fluid received from 

 another worm is stored, and from them it is 

 poured out into the egg-case or cocoon in which 

 the eggs are laid. 



In AUolobophora, and exceptionally in Lum- 

 bricus, the spermothecse are situated in segments 

 X. and XI., their ducts passing forwards to open 

 in the same position as above. 



2. The male organs consist of two pairs of testes ; two 

 pairs of seminal funnels, leading into a pair of vasa 

 deferentia ; and median and lateral vesiculae semi- 

 nales. 



a. The vesiculse seminales vary greatly in form and 

 size with the season of the year. When fully 

 developed they form conspicuous milk-white or 

 pinkish bodies at the sides of the oesophagus, and 

 overlapping this. 



i. A pair of anterior lateral vesiculse seminales lie 

 in segment ix. They are opaque white bodies 

 attached to the posterior wall of the segment, 

 one at each side of the oesophagus. 



Some earthworms have a similar pair in 

 segment x., but these are not developed in 

 Lumbricus. 



ii. Two pairs of posterior lateral vesiculse seminales 



lie in segments xi. and xii. respectively. They 

 are very much larger than the anterior vesiculse, 

 especially at certain seasons, and are attached 

 to the anterior septa of their respective segments 



