In the present work we investigate the properties of 18 embedded clusters ( ECs ) .
The sample includes 11 previously known clusters and we report the discovery of 7 ECs on WISE images , thus complementing our recent list of 437 new clusters .
The main goal is to use such clusters to shed new light on the Galactic structure by tracing the spiral arms with cluster distances .
Our results favour a four-armed spiral pattern tracing three arms , Sagitarius-Carina , Perseus , and the Outer arm .
The Sagitarius-Carina spiral arm is probed in the borderline of the third and fourth quadrants at a distance from the Galactic centre of d _ { 1 } \sim 6.4 kpc adopting R _ { \odot } = 7.2 kpc , or d _ { 2 } \sim 7.2 kpc for R _ { \odot } = 8.0 kpc .
Most ECs in our sample are located in the Perseus arm that is traced in the second and third quadrants and appear to be at Galactocentric distances in the range d _ { 1 } = 9 - 10.5 kpc or d _ { 2 } = 9.8 - 11.3 kpc .
Dolidze 25 , Bochum 2 , and Camargo 445 are located in the Outer arm that extends along the second and third Galactic quadrants with a distance from the Galactic centre in the range of d _ { 1 } = 12.5 - 14.5 kpc or d _ { 2 } = 13.5 - 15.5 kpc .
We find further evidence that in the Galaxy ECs are predominantly located within the thin disc and along spiral arms .
They are excellent tools for tracing these Galactic features and therefore new searches for ECs can contribute to a better understanding of the Galactic structure .
We also report an EC aggregate located in the Perseus arm .