ON TWO NEW GENERA OF AQUATIC OLTGOCH^ETA. 301 



The spermathecse are very large, and each is doubled upon itself (see fig. 14). The 

 portion which lies nearest to the external aperture is long and narrow, and lined with 

 a columnar epithelium of a non-glandular character, which is shown by its being readily 

 stained by borax carmine ; further back (fig. 23) the spermatheca widens out, and the 

 epithelium becomes laden with secreted granules, and have not been stained to any extent 

 by the same colouring reagent. I usually found clumps of small spherical granular 

 cells, each with a minute but darkly staining nucleus near to the blind extremity of the 

 spermatheca. I am uncertain whether or not to regard these as parasites. 



AFFINITIES OF PELODBILUS. 

 This Annelid my be characterised as follows : — 



Genus Pelodrilus, nov. gen. 



Moderately long, thin worms, inhabiting marshy soil. Setae simple in shape and strictly 

 paired ; absent only from the Xllth segment in the sexually ripe individuals. Clitellum 

 extending over segments XI-XIII (inclusive). Testes, two pairs in X and XL Vasa 

 deferentia opening by two distinct pores on each side, placed one in front of the other 

 upon the Xllth segment, greatly coiled, with funnels in the Xth and Xlth segments. No 

 atria. Sperm sacs occupying segments IX-XII. Ovaries in XIII ; oviducts consisting 

 of little more than a funnel opening immediately on to the exterior in groove between 

 segments XII/XIII. Ova large and few, enclosed in thin-walled egg sac. Spermathecse, a 

 single pair in VIII. Septal glands present. Nephridia in all segments after the Vlth 

 with the exception of XI and XII. Some of anterior septa thickened. 



Species Pelodrilus violaceus, n.sp. 



Prostomium short. Nephridiopores in front of ventral setse. Habitat, New Zealand. 



In the above description I cannot, of course, pretend to distinguish between generic 

 and specific characters ; I select as a specific character the position of the nephridio- 

 pores, for the reason that that appears to be a specific character in Phreoryctes — 

 the most nearly allied genus. 



There can be, I think, little doubt that Pelodrilus should be included in the family 

 Phreoryctidse. 



It agrees with Phreoryctes in the following assemblage of characters : — 



1. Testes in X and XL 



2. Sperm ducts, two pairs opening separately. 



3. Atrium absent. 



4. Spermathecse anterior to testes. 



5„ Hearts long, thin, and much convoluted, 



