170 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol.38 



On the life duration of the horse spermatozoon outside of the body, 

 S. Sato (Acta Scholae Med. Univ. Imp. Kioto, 1 (1916), No. S, pp. 361-374; 

 abs. in Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc, No. 4 (1917), p. 381).— The author has observed 

 the duration of life of horse spermatozoa in 1.1 NaCl solution (up to 10 hours, 

 rarely 24), and in from 5.2 to 5.25 per cent dextrose solution (from 10 to 30 

 hours, rarely 70). Suitable conditions are an alkalinity corresponding to 0.001 

 per cent KOH, an osmotic pressure equal to 5.24 per cent dextrose, a tempera- 

 ture of from 13 to 15° C, one atmospheric pressure, and a percentage of oxygen 

 much less than that in air. 



The numerical law of the regression of erectile organs, following castra- 

 tion of adult Gallinaceae, A. Pezard (Cornpt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 164 

 (1917), No. 19, pp. 734-736, figs. 4). — In a study of the effect of postpuberal 

 castration on the regression of erectile organs (combs, wattles, and ear lobes) 

 in cocks, the author has measured the diminution of length of comb following 

 castration of four birds. Three of these were completely castrated and the 

 fourth was a capon in which the development of the comb was obtained by 

 the injection of testicular extract and the regi*ession of the organ was pro- 

 duced by the cessation of the injections. It was found that the testicular 

 hormone is necessary for the development and maintenance of erectile tissue. 

 Furthermore, the action of this hormone must be constant. 



Gonadectomy in relation to the secondary sexual characters of some do- 

 mestic birds, H. D. Goodale (Carnegie Inst. Washington Pub. 243 (1916), pp. 

 52, pis. 7, fig. 1; abs. in Jour. Roy. Micros. Soc, No. 1 (1917), pp. 106, 107).— 

 Experiments were conducted with Rouen ducks, Brown Leghorn fowls, and 

 cross-bred birds, observing the changes in plumage, etc., that follow gonadectomy. 



The plumage of the orchidotomized male was altered comparatively little. 

 Some feathers grew somewhat longer, but otherwise they were the same as in 

 the unaltered male. In contrast, the plumage changes of the ovariotomized 

 female were extensive, in respect to shape, size, color, and color pattern. The 

 plumage approximated that of the normal male. 



The capon's comb and wattles remained of infantile type. In the castrated 

 hens the comb became very large and malelike in some, while in others it re- 

 mained comparatively small. 



All the capons reported on had well-developed spurs. In all the castrated 

 hens in which the male plumage also developed there were well-developed spurs, 

 while in many of those in which the assumption of male plumage was partial or 

 temporary the spurs started to grow. Apparently the dependence of the spurs 

 upon the internal secretion is relatively slight. The inhibition exerted in the 

 female upon the development of the spurs is so slight that once development 

 starts the hormone is not always able to check It. 



In the cases reported on, castration with one exception, has not influenced the 

 molt of the capon. On the other hand, castrated ducks lose the power of de- 

 veloping the summer plumage. Castration is without influence on the color 

 of the male duck's mandible, but ovariotomy results in the disappearance of 

 certain pigments from the mandible of the female. Completely castrated Indi- 

 viduals of all kinds are on the whole negative in behavior as compared with 

 normal adults. 



Male characters, such as spurs, large comb and wattles, and a " neck ring " in 

 ducks, sometimes occur in otherwise normal females. Instances of the occur- 

 rence of female characters in males, strictly comparable to those just referred 

 to, are uncommon or wholly lacking. The only character of this sort among 

 capons is the brooding instinct. Some femalelike characters in males are juve- 

 nile characters. Neither the assumption of male plumage by the female nor 

 the development of the accessory reproductive organs need be considered evi- 



