66 



of them. As to the structure of these bodies I can entirely confirm 

 Beddard's observation, that they are of quite a different structure 

 as the diverticula; they are solid and consist of a number of large 

 cells , which contain a finely granular mass and a small nucleus. Wether 

 however they have the function of capsulogenous glands , preparing 

 the albuminous fluid of the cocoon, as suggested by this author, I 

 dare not decide; for even with regard to our common earthworms, 

 we as yet cannot state with certainty the function of the different ge- 

 nerative organs in the process op copulation. Moreover the fact, that 

 such forms, as Criodrilus, which have large cocoons, appear to possess 

 neither capsulogenous glands nor even spermathecae , is not in favour 

 of Beddard's views. 



Small seminal vesicles are present in segment XI and XII. A pair 

 of large lobated prostate-glands occupy segments XVI— XXII. 



According to Rosa's description , his P. campanulata l ) should be 

 specially distinguished from P. houlleti (1) by the shape of the gizzard, 

 which should not be bulb-shaped as in the last-named species, ac- 

 cording to Perrier's figure, but rather bell-shaped (forma campanu- 

 lata) , and (2) by having the oesophagus dilated in front of the giz- 

 zard. ISow I find, that in our examples the oesophagus really is some- 

 what widened out, before passing in the gizzard and that the gizzard 

 more resembles the figure , published by Rosa , than that of Perrier ; 

 I believe however the latter one not to be very correct, for in his 

 description he says, that the gizzard does not present any particu- 

 larity. As to the number of the globular bodies of the spermathecae, 

 of which P. campanulata should possess three, instead of a single one, 

 as figured by Perrier in P. houlleti, this cannot be a character of 

 much value, because, as I stated before, this number is not even 

 constant for all spermathecae in the same individual. 



Therefore I presume, that P. campanulata from Burmah is identical 

 with P. houlleti. This species is already known from Calcutta, Dehra 

 Dun, Cochinchina, Philippines and Bahama's. 



14. Perichaeta minima n. sp. 



Java: Tjibodas, four specimens. 

 The length of the largest example is only 25 m.m. ; the number of 

 its segments amounts to about 80. 





1) Ann. Mus. Civ. Stor. Nat. Genova, 2d Ser., Vol. X, 1890, p. 9, PI. I, Gg. 9 and 10. 



