Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 3 (1899).djvu/290

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THE ZOOLOGIST.

2. Fridericia agricola, Moore.

Mr. C. Whitehead, of Maidstone, has recently submitted specimens of this worm for examination, on account of their having been found associated with meadow-grass which showed symptoms of disease. First found by Mr. Moore in America, it was some time ago discovered by me in two localities in Cumberland. Its distribution is therefore wide, and it is important that, in connection with future records, an attempt be made to show whether or not it is worthy of suspicion as an injurious annelid. I have discussed the question in the 'Gardeners' Chronicle' for the present month.

3. Enchytræus pellucidus, n. s.

I give this name to a species taken by me among old stable-manure at Heaton Moor, Stockport, on March 4th, 1899.

It is a white, pellucid worm, with colourless blood, about three-quarters of an inch in length, and containing some sixty segments. There are usually four setæ in front of the girdle and three behind, equal in length, slender, and with a curve at right angles on the inner extremity, giving the setæ the appearance of a golf-stick. The curve, not as is usual, is very decided, the curved portion being nearly one-third the length of the shaft. The brain, which is about twice as long as broad, is oval, and rounded (not concave or notched) behind. There are no swellings or off-growths on the nerve-ganglion, which is of practically equal size throughout. The salivary glands are unbranched and club-shaped, being swollen or knob-like at the free extremity. The spermathecæ open in the usual place between segments iv-v, without glands, while the internal extremity is somewhat pear-shaped, and without diverticula or sac-like appendages. The girdle is minutely papillose, or presents a fine granular appearance. Very long coiled tube extending back to segment xx, or even as far as xxiv. The first nephridium seemed to lie in segment vii. Perhaps here the most distinctive feature is to be found in the spermathecæ, which differ from any I have seen elsewhere. These organs are divided into three parts, each of which is about equal in length to the other. These are (1) a slender tube connected with the gut, (2) the