(ili 



S. GOTO AND S. HATAI. 



VI/VII, trad VII/VIII, therefore one segment anteriorly than is stated to be 

 the case by previous writers, while the number of setae lying between the male 

 pores wo have observed to be 14-19, and the same in the spermathecal region 

 to be about GO. The last two points cannot, in our opinion, be regarded as of 

 much systematic importance, as we have learnt from our experience, that they 

 are rather frequently subject to variation. It must sound presumptuous in us to 

 suppose that all the previous observers have fallen into the same error ; but it 

 must at the same time be admitted as a strange circumstance that we have never 

 met with any specimen answering to the description ot previous writers, although 

 we bave made a rather extensive collection in the same locality whence the 

 specimens of the European writers are known to have come or have presumably 

 been collected. On the cohtrary there have come under our obs rvation at least 

 more than two hundred specimens differing from P. Sieboldii in a single charact- 

 er of systematic importance, viz. the position of the spermathecœ mentioned above. 

 These worms are very common in this part throughout the warmer months of 

 the year, and the are widely distributed, since we have specimens also from Sen- 

 dai, Shizuoka, and Tsugaru. They are therefore the most likely to be represent- 

 ed in any chance collection of earthworms from this part of Japan ; and we know 

 that P. Sieboldii is represented in all the European collections of earthworms 

 made in Japan, of which we have record (Leyden, Vienna, Oxford, Berlin). It 

 would be preposterous to suppose that all the specimens in Europe presented pre- 

 cisely the same variation. AVe therefore await the result of a renewed examina- 

 tion on the part of European students. 



2. Perkhceta fusca'a, n. sp. 

 Length of body 150 ram., breadth 5 mm. ; number of segments 110 ; dusky 

 colored on the back, lighter colored on the ventrum. Clitellum XIV — XVI, 

 without setce. Towards the two extremities of the body the boundary lines be- 

 tween the segments are very distinct and the setae are longer ; number of setœ 

 smaller in the anterior segments, being 24-25 in the spermathecal segments and 

 about 35 in the more posterior segments. First dorsal pore XIII/XIV; sper- 

 mathecal openings four pairs, V/VI, VI/VII, VII/VIir, VIII/IX; V, VI, 

 VII, VIII with a pair of genital papilke behind the ductal line ; oviduct pore 

 single; male openings on the top of papillae; XVI f, XVIII, XIX, XX with a 

 dair of genital papillae situated inside the line of the male pores and behind the 



