222 



A. M. REESE. 



The outline of the inner envelope is sharp and even, while 

 that of the outer envelope (Fig. I, o. e.) is more or less irregular 

 and uneven. The outer envelope is composed of such trans- 

 parent jelly that it might easily be overlooked at the first glance. 

 It forms a continuous layer over the entire mass of eggs. 



When the unfertilized eggs are left for some days in water, 

 they become very much swollen, by the osmosis of water through 

 the vitelline membrane, and may eventually burst. 



There was no apparent swelling of the gelatinous envelopes on 



coming in contact with water as is de- 

 scribed in connection with some other 

 amphibian eggs. 



Several dozen eggs were obtained 

 from one average-sized female, about 

 two dozen being^drawn, without appar- 

 ent injury, from the cloaca, while the 

 rest were obtained only after killing 

 the animal and opening the body cavity. 

 All the eggs obtained in the latter way 

 were found to be contained in the right 

 oviduct, the ova of the left ovary being 

 nearly all in a very immature condition. 

 Whether or not this was a normal 

 condition, indicating perhaps, a very 

 prolonged breeding season, it was not 

 possible to say. 



The spermatozoa were obtained as 

 a milky fluid from the living males by 

 the usual process of stripping, though 

 considerable pressure had, in most cases, to be exerted. They 

 were immediately examined under the higher powers of the 

 microscope, but no motion could be detected, though it would 

 naturally be expected that spermatozoa obtained in this way would 

 show the usual activity of mature spermatozoa. 



An attempt was made to artificially fertilize the eggs by put- 

 ting them into a dish of water into which a great number of 

 spermatozoa had been stirred, but the attempt was entirely un- 

 successful. 



FIG. 3. 



