44 



THE CLASS OF INSECTS. 



of a duct, the ductus ejacxdatorius, which opens into the external 

 intromittent organ. This duct extends backwards, connecting 

 with the vesiculce seminales, whicli lead by 

 the vasa deferentia to the testes (Fig. 53). 

 The latter are usually rounded glandular 

 bodies, sometimes, as in Melolontlia and 

 Lucanus, numbering six on a side. These 

 organs lie in the abdominal cavity, usually 

 above and on each side of the alimentary 

 canal. 



The sperm, or fertilizing fluid, contains 

 very active 

 spermatic par- 

 ticles which 

 are developed 

 in large cells 

 in the testes. 

 Fig. 53. where they are 



united into bundles of various 

 forms. 



In the female, the internal re- 

 productive organs (Fig. 54) are 

 more simple than those of the 

 other sex. The external open- 

 ing of the female is situated at 

 the end of the oviduct, that 

 leads by two tubes to the ovary, 

 which consists of two or more 

 tubes (in the Queen Bee one hundred and sixty to one hundred 

 and eighty) in which the ova are developed. On the upper side 



Fig. 53. Male organs of Athalia centifolim. h, the penis, or external portion, 

 in which the ductus ynculatorius (/) teraiinates, whirh extends backwards, and is 

 connected with the vcsicuke seminales (c), and rasa deferentia (d) which are con- 

 nected with the epididymis (b), and the testes (n). i and I, two pairs of horny plates, 

 surronnded by a horny ring (/.•). i, horny prehensile hooks attached to k. m, two 

 elongated muscular parts inclosing the penis (h). — From Newport. 



Fig. 54. Female organs of generation of Athalia centi/oUm. a, b, c, the eighteen 

 ovarial tubes originating ft-om each of the two oviducts (c), and containing the im- 

 mature eggs ; /, the spci-matheca ; (/, i)oison-sac, the poison being secreted in the 

 secretory vessels h. The poison flows through the oviduct into the sting and thence 

 into the wound made by the sting. 10, the terminal ganglia of the uei-vous cord. 

 — From Newport. 



Fig. 54. 



