1897.] Undescribed Species of Megascolides. 203 
seen extending to a depth of over fifteen feet, in cuts for new 
roads. I am also informed that much larger specimens than 
those sent me, are often found. 
The specimens were killed at a time when they were not at 
the height of sexual activity, and are not in perfect condition 
for histological study, hence I have prepared this preliminary 
description to be followed by a more extended account after 
the receipt of more material. 
MEGASCOLIDES AMERICANUS N. sp. 
Alcoholic specimens are 18-19 cm. in length and .6-.7 cm. 
in diameter. The number of somites in four specimens 
averages 226 with extremes of 240 and 190. The prostomium 
is incomplete. The clitellum is upon XIII | XXII and part 
of XXIII, and is incomplete ventrally. Median interseg- 
mental genital papillae are present upon XIV | XV, XV | XVI 
and XVI | XVII, and paired intersegmental papillae upon 
XIX | XX and XX | XXI. The median papillae are wanting 
upon one specimen. Oviducal pores paired on XIV. Sper- 
miducal pores paired on XVIII. Setae paired, those of the 
inner pairs being closer together than those of the outer ones 
and all in the ventral half of the worm. Penial setae having 
ornamented distal part are present in XVIII. There are 
dorsal pores posterior to the clitellum. 
The septa VII | VIII to XII | XIII inclusive are much 
thickened and are connected with each other by longitudinal 
fibres, while the septum VI | VII is less thickened and that of 
V | VI is quite thin. The pharynx has a thick dorsal wall. 
A powerful gizzard is present in V. The oesophagus is 
enlarged in each of the somites XII | XIV where the walls 
are thick and vascular, while somites XI and XV have 
smaller enlargements. The intestine begins at XIX, but 
does not attain its greatest diameter until it reaches XXI. 
The nephridia are diffuse and begin as far forward as IV. 
They are numerous in each of the somites containing them 
and large in none. Each somite has numerous nephridiopores. — 
The dorsal vessel is single. Swollen vascular arches or 
