NEW OR IMPERFECTLY KNOWN SPECIES OF 

 EARTHWORMS. NO. 2. 



BY SEITATO GOTO and SHIHTKICHI HATAI. 



First High School, Tokyo. 



In this paper we propose to describe some more species of Perichaela that have 

 come into our hands since the publication of our last paper. Most of the species 

 have been collected in the western part of the Island of Shikcku and of the Main 

 Island. A few, however, are from the vicinity of Tokyo and of Mito. 



The following points are common to all the species here described, and are there- 

 fore omitted from the text : (1) Ovaries in segment XIII; (2) Testes in X and XI; 

 (3) Last heart in XIIL 



18. Perichaeta irregularis, n. sp. 



Of this singular species we have fifty-five specimens, and the following figures 

 represent the modal numbers f obtained by examination of the mean-sized 

 individuals. Length 125 mm., breadth G mm. ; number of segments 95. Number of 

 seta3 in VII, 47, in Vili, 47, in XVII, 61, and more posteriorly varying within 

 narrow limits on either side of the last number. Clitellum XIV — XVI, without setae. 

 Oviduct pores in XIV, very distinct. No spermatheere, no gential papillre ; 

 sperm dud jiores could not be observed. First dorsal pore in XII/XIII. 



Gizzard in VII and VIII ; intestine begins in XV, with five pairs of cœca in 

 XXVI, of which the length decreases gradually towards the ventrum, the longest one 

 reaching segment XXIII. Thickened septa VI/VII— VJI/VIII and X XII— XIII/- 

 XIV. Sperm reservoirs comparatively large, in XI and XII. Ovaries and ovisacs 

 large. 



The most salient character of this species lies in the total absence of spermatheca?. 

 Of the species hitherto described we know a similar condition only in P. acijdis 

 Beddard. This author had only two specimens and he appears to have had some 

 doubt as to whether they were not abnormal. The same doubt also occurred to us 



t Numbers occurring most frequently. 



