1888-89.] Mr F. E. Beddard on Anatomy of Phreoryctes. 117 
On the Anatomy and Histology of Phreoryctes. By 
Frank E. Beddard, M.A., Prosector to the Zoological Society 
of London , Lecturer on Biology at the Medical School of Guy's 
Hospital. 
(Read February 18, 1889.) 
[Abstract.) 
The genus Phreoryctes has been known to zoologists since the year 
1843, hut there is no published account of the reproductive system 
sufficiently detailed to permit of comparison with other Oligochseta. 
The gonads (testes and ovaries) and spermathecae were discovered by 
Leydig,* -who did not distinguish between ovaries and testes, owing 
to the immature condition of the specimens studied. This writer 
considered that the genital products were evacuated through the 
nephridia of their segment. The supposition is, however, incorrect, 
as genital ducts exist. Mr W. W. Smith of Ashburton, New Zea- 
land, forwarded to the author in the spring of 1888 a single specimen 
of a new species of Phreoryctes , which was described in the Annals 
and Magazine of Natural History for June 1888 as Phreoryctes 
Smithii. In that paper the gonads and their ducts were briefly 
described and figured. 
The present memoir is based upon a further supply of material 
from Mr Smith, consisting of a large number of sexually mature 
worms. It has, therefore, been found possible to prepare a complete 
account of the genitalia of Phreoryctes. 
The following is a brief description of the genus Phreoryctes , 
Hoffmeister : — 
1. The body is extremely elongated, sometimes reaching to the 
length of a foot, while the diameter is very small. 
2. The prostomium is divided into two by a transverse furrow. 
3. The setae are simple, not bifid ; they are disposed in four rows 
of single setae, or of pairs of setse. 
*4. There are no genital or penial setae, f 
* References to the literature of the subject will be found in the detailed 
memoir. 
f The asterisk refers to statements of fact which are made for the first time 
in the present memoir. 
