OCR Text |
Show 1868.] DR. W. BAIRD ON A NEW SCLEROSTOMA. 263 The specimens were rather numerous, but, with only one exception were all females. When first deposited in the Museum, about two months after the death of the Elephant, the female worms were of a dark brownish-red colour, whilst the male was pure white. The colour has faded considerably by being kept in spirit; but the contrast between the two sexes was for a long time distinctly visible. This species, which I propose naming Sclerostoma clathratum, is very different in appearance from S. sipunculiforme, is much longer and more slender; the head is much smaller both in male and female, and the caudal bursa of the male differs in structure from Fig. 1. Sclerostoma sipunculiforme, from the Indian Elephant, male and female, nat. size. 1 a. Head of female, magnified. 1 b. Tail of female, magnified. 1 c. Tail of male, magnified. Fig. 2. Sclerostoma clathratum, from the A-lfrican Elephant, male and female, nat. size. 2 a. Head of female, magnified. 2 b. Tail of female, magnified. 2 c. Tail of male magnified. |