REPRODUCTION IN THE DOMESTIC FOWL. 28 1 



and definite somatic gynandromorphism there is associated an 

 absolutely inactive condition of the primary sexual organs, so far 

 as the functions of spermatogenesis and oogenesis are concerned. 

 The case shows clearly enough that the secondary sexual char- 

 acters of both sexes may exist without the accompaniment of 

 functionating germinal epithelium in the same individual. It 

 does not prove that the secondary characters may originally de- 

 velop in the absence of the functioning of the primary glands, 

 because of the uncertainty as to whether either of the glands 

 was ever functional in this specimen. 



There has accumulated in recent years a considerable mass of 

 evidence, 1 particularly from medical, surgical and gynecological 

 workers, tending to show that the development of secondary 

 sexual characters is in some way controlled through internal 

 secretions (containing hormones) produced in some part or parts 

 of the primary sexual apparatus. While the general fact of such 

 a relationship is now to be regarded as quite definitely estab- 

 lished, the details of the process are as yet by no means worked 

 out. Whether these secretions are elaborated in cells of the 

 germinal epithelium proper, from interstitial or stromal cells, or 

 from the accessory parts of the reproductive apparatus (e. g., 

 epididymis, oviduct, etc.) is, in general, still unknown. It might 

 at first thought be supposed that the present case, inasmuch as 

 the glands are degenerate and non-functional whereas the acces- 

 sory male and female organs (epididymis, vas and oviduct) are 

 complete and normal, afforded evidence in favor of the view that 

 these latter organs are sources of internal secretions influencing 

 secondary sexual characters. Any presumptive warrant for such 

 an inference, however, is largely if not entirely taken away by 

 evidence of another kind. We have conclusively shown, for 

 example, in unpublished experimental work that complete or 

 partial removal or ligation or section of the oviduct in the do- 

 mestic fowl, undertaken before or after the oviduct has become 

 functional, is without any effect whatever on the development or 



1 It seems unnecessary to print in extenso here the long list of literature which ex- 

 ists on this subject. An introduction to this literature will be found in Morgan's " Ex- 

 perimental Zoology," Chapters 28 and 29, and in Bayliss, W. M., and Starling, E. 

 H., "Die chemische Koordination der Funktionen des Korpers," Ergeb. der 

 Physiol., Jahrg. V., pp. 664-697, 1906. 



