4 . THE NECTURUS 



males in the fall and that the females carry the sperm all 

 winter. In fact males examined in winter yielded no 

 spermatozoa when stripped nor the testes yield milt when 

 cut. It is not certain as to whether copulation takes place 

 or whether the female takes in the spermatophores of the 

 male. 



The eggs are laid under the sides of flat stones or under 

 immersed pieces of wood. They are deposited singly, 

 being attached to the overhanging support by the outer 

 jelly like membrane. The number of eggs in a clutch 

 varies from 25 to 90 with an average of about 75. 



Many nests or clutches may be found under the same 

 board or rock, each guarded by the female. The male is 

 never evident around the breeding ground after the eggs 

 are laid. The eggs hatch about the last of June, the nearly 

 white young falling to the bottom where they remain for 

 several weeks, feeding on their stored yolk. Larvae a 

 year old are about two and a half inches long. They are 

 curiously marked with stripes at this age. The age at 

 which they breed is unknown. 



