BULLETIN. 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



1885- 



l.-IVOTE OIV THE MALE ORGANS OF THE EEL. 



By JOHN A. RYDER. 



Through the courtesy of Dr. T. H. Bean, curator of the ichthyologi- 

 cal department of the Uuited States National Museum, I have been 

 enabled to study the male generative glands or Syrskian organs of a 

 species of Anguilla, taken at Fire Island Beach, Great South Bay, Long- 

 Island, by himself and party during the latter part of the summer of 1884. 

 Four specimens handed to me for investigation proved to be males. 

 Two of these bear the Museum number 35979, taken October 7, and two 

 others, the number 35935, taken September 25. In all four I found the 

 lobulated organs, first described by Syrski, in a condition of develop- 

 ment which leaves no doubt whatever that they are truly the male 

 generative glands of the animal. 



In the females hitherto examined by the writer the generative folds 

 attached along either side of the mesentery on the dorsal wall of the 

 abdomen are found as continuous folds, lobulated on their external 

 laces, and are mostly composed of very young ova, fat cells, and very 

 little or no connective tissue or ovarian stroma. 



In the generative organs of the male specimens alluded to above the 

 glands extend along either side of the mesentery, in the same position 

 as in the females, but the structure consists of very distinct reticule- 

 shaped lobules, which connect at their bases with a common vas deferens, 

 which extends along their bases and opens posteriorly into a triangular 

 space, Avhich in turn opens iuto the common genitourinary outlet. 



Syrski states that these lobulated organs are filled with granules, 

 which are confined to compartments separated by fibrous membrane. 

 I may say that this description is in general terms correct, but I would 

 in addition point out the fact that these compartments are m re or less 

 convoluted, long, and tubular, and therefore present the character of 

 Bull. U. S r V, C, So — 4 January 19, 1S85, 



