68 THE EARTHWORM 



in segment ix. They are opaque white bodies 

 attached to the posterior wall of the segment, 

 one at each side of the oesophagus. 



Some species of earthworm have a similar 

 pair in segment x., but in Lumbricus terres- 

 tris these are not developed. 



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, somewhat nearer the 

 median plane than the anterior vesiculse. 



iii. A thin-roofed median vesicula seminalis, of 

 considerable size, is situated in each of the 

 segments x. and xi. below the oesophagus, 

 which must be removed to expose them. 

 Within each are a pair of testes and a pair of 

 seminal fuimels. With the anterior of these 

 median vesiculse the anterior lateral vesiculse 

 and the first pair of posterior lateral vesiculse 

 communicate. The second pair of posterior 

 lateral vesiculse open in similar fashion into 

 the second median vesicula. 



b. The testes are two pairs of flattened digitate bodies 



of small size, attached to the septa in front of 

 segments x. and xi. respectively, and projecting 

 freely into the cavities of the median vesieulffi 

 seminales, not far from the nerve-cord. 



To see the testes, open the two median vesiculce seminales 

 without injuring the stnictures within them. Wash care- 

 fully. 



c. The seminal funnels are large, opaque, white, much- 



folded membranous funnels, of which one pair is 

 situated in each median vesicula seminalis, the 

 open mouths being turned towards the testes, 

 and almost enclosing them. Their narrow ends 



