86 MULLER ON THE MALE OF 



called, if the word is to be taken in its general sense ; but it can 

 certainly not be classed together with the well-known seminal 

 cases of other Cephalopods which at present bear that name. 

 These spermatophora are mere capsules composed of a no further 

 organized mass, whose movements take place from purely me- 

 chanical causes. They are seminal machines, which might as 

 well be called a secretion, if the semen is to be so denominated. 

 The Hectocotyli, on the other hand, are composed of different 

 organs and of almost all the elementary tissues which exist, in 

 the same condition as they are found elsewhere in the living 

 body. I will not neglect, however, to draw attention to the 

 analogy which exists in many respects between the spermato- 

 phora and the structure above referred to in Hectocotylus Trem- 

 octopodis,dL'S> the ductus deferens. In both the seminal mass is fixed 

 to a spiral band contained in a sheath, and its uncoiling appears 

 to be connected in the one case as in the other with the extru- 

 sion of the semen. The substance of the spermatophora, as of 

 the ductus deferens, is a mass which exhibits transitions from a 

 less to a more considerable consistence, and also from a complete 

 absence of structure to a striation, which, however, is not produced 

 by any peculiar elementary parts. The substance of which the 

 capsules and pedicles of the ova are formed is similar, and in the 

 oviduct of Tremoctopus we find masses, of which it is not easy to 

 say how much proceeds from the Hectocotylus and how much 

 from the female herself. Should this analogy, upon which I 

 will not enter further here, be confirmed, the Hectocotylus Trem- 

 octopodis might at most be called a spermatophore-bearer. 



In any case, the Hectocotylus of the Argonaut (and probably 

 also the two others) stands in the relation to the rest of the 

 animal, of an arm, which is at the same time penis and ductus 

 deferens. When separated it may be compared with any other 

 part, which separated from a living individual, yet preserves for 

 a certain time a given amount of vital properties. How far, as 

 regards amount and duration, this may extend, cannot be deter- 

 mined a priori, and the Hectocotyli may perhaps surpass idl 

 hitherto known instances. 



Nothing can better illustrate the character of their movements, 

 than that Laurillard, Delle Chiaje and KoUiker were led thereby 



