552 



FRANK R. LILLIE 



of sperm. The eggs were rapidly literally covered with a single layer 

 of adherent spermatozoa, but in spite of this only about 1 per cent 

 divided (out of 200 eggs counted 3 were divided irregularly at 11:15). 

 Some fresh eggs fertilized for control of sperm at same time showed 

 practically all eggs divided at this time. Fertilization 2. 10:02 a.m. 

 Same as 1, with control: 2:03 p.m. About 1 per cent divided; irregular, 

 delayed; 80 per cent of control. Fertilization 3. 11:02. Same as 1, 

 with control: 2:15 p.m. About 2 per cent divided; control 99 per cent 

 divided. 



Thus these eggs had almost entirely lost the capacity for 

 fertilization with their loss of fertilizin, although they were only 

 24 hours in the sea-water. However, I regard the result given 

 in the first experiment under this head as more typical for mere 

 loss of fertilizin. In the experiment just quoted, the eggs had 

 been injured to such an extent that they were liberating anti- 

 fertilizin also, and I believe that this combined with the fertilizin 

 in the cortex of the egg so as to block fertilization in this way. 

 The extraordinarily rapid decrease of agglutinating power of 

 successive washings (1, 12,800; 2, 6400; 3, 800; 4, 100; 5, 20; 6, 10; 

 7, 2 (?); 8, 10; 9, 10; 10, 10-; 11, 1; 12, 1; 13, 1; 14, 1; 15, 0) is 

 such as occurs only with injured eggs. 



Other experiments give similar results. In one of these, the 

 fertilizing power was reduced to about 1/8 in the third washing 



