| OCR Text |
Show 56 MR. F. E. BEDDARD ON [Feb. 4, fourteenth, and extending over three to six segments. Gizzard always present and single ; intestines frequently provided with a pair of conical caeca. Nephridia generally diffuse. Spermathecae nearly always1 furnished with one or more diverticula; atria (prostates) always present, and sometimes penial setae. (1) Genus PERICHCETA, Schmarda. Setae numerous, and forming a continuous or nearly continuous row round all the segments of the body 2. Nephridia diffuse, with many external pores in each segment. Atria (prostates) branched and lobate. Dorsal pores present (? always). Penial seta? sometimes present. Distribution. World-wide, especially tropics of Old World and Australia. Subg. 1. PERICH.ETA (Beddard).-Line of setae continuous ; clitellum consisting of 3 segments only (14-16). One or more pairs of intestinal caeca. Gizzard posterior to 7th segment, occupying 2 segments, the septum between which has disappeared. Subg. 2. M E G A S C O L E X 3 (Beddard).-Line of setae interrupted; clitellum occupying more than 3 segments. Caeca generally absent. Gizzard usually situated in, or in front of, segment 7 ; occupying only one segment. (2) Genus PERIONYX, Perrier. Setae forming a continuous row round each segment; generative pores closely approximated in middle ventral line ; atria (prostates) lobate ; nephridia paired ; dorsal pores present. Distribution. India and Burmah. (3) Genus DIPOROCH_ETA, gen. nov. Setae forming a continuous row round each segment; atria tubular ; nephridia paired. (For P. novae zelandice and perhaps P. bakeri.) Distribution. Australia and New Zealand. (4) Genus ANISOCH^ETA, gen. nov. Setae 8 in number per segment anteriorly, afterwards increasing up to 30 ; nephridia diffuse ; atria lobate. (For P. attenuata, P. enormis, and P. coxii.) Distribution. Australia. 1 The only exception appears to be Megascolex cceruleus; but this matter requires reexamination. '* Except of course the peristomial segment. 3 N.B.-These divisions will not do unless Prof. Bourne finds, as he h thought possible, that such species as P. burliarcnsis and P. hulikalcnsis should be separated as distinct genera. |
