290 



MALDANIDJB. 



Family XXIV. — Maldanidj:, Malmgren. 



Maldanies (Savigny, 1820); Maldanies (Blainville, Grube) ; Clymeniens (Milne 

 Edwards, De Quatref ages) . 



Cephalic lobe (prostomium) generally connate, the buccal segment (peristomium) 

 often with a cuniform dorsal lamina, but nude or achaatous. A median keel, on each side 

 of which is a nuchal organ. Proboscis well developed. Body rounded, smooth, of several 

 regions, anterior, middle, and posterior, scarcely or slightly tapered posteriorly ; segments 

 long, few (twenty-six or twenty-seven). It terminates posteriorly, either as a naked 

 process, or is provided with a funnel, or a plate similar to the anterior region, or the 



om 



vm 



nc. 



Figl 133. — Transverse section of the anterior region of Nicomache maculata, Arwidsson. 



funnel has cirri and a simple or foliaceous plate with a central anus, or a plate with a 

 sub-dorsal anus. Ante-anal segments often achastous. Alimentary canal straight. The 

 nephridia open near the ventral rows of hooks. The cutaneous glands are largely 

 developed. Feet in anterior segments at the anterior part of segment, in the posterior 

 region at the posterior border of the segment, biramous. Dorsal capillary bristles, which 

 may be winged, pinnate, or spinous. No uncinigerous tori in the anterior region. 

 Circular hooks or crotchets in one or two rows, situated at the front, middle, or posterior 

 part of the segment. Tube either having adherent mud or pebbles throughout, or 

 composed of mud. 



The body- wall in Nicomache maculata (Fig. 133) has a thick layer of hypoderm under 

 a thin cuticle, the underlying basement-tissue resting on a thin but firm circular muscular 

 coat, which passes to the inner side of the nerve-trunks, at which it is joined by the 

 oblique muscles. These, however, are nearly vertical in position, since the dorsal muscles 

 are of limited extent, and they leave the basement-tissue and circular coat to the outer side 

 of the smaller division of the dorsal longitudinal muscles, and pass to the circular coat 



