SEXUAL ACTIVITIES OF THE SQUID 339 
this time the jelly of the string is soft and sticky. It hardens 
quite rapidly and soon will not stick to objects, but at this time 
it adheres readily. The position of the string when taken between 
the arms indicates that the string is finally stuck by the end that 
first leaves the funnel. 
After sticking a string of eggs the female rests upon the bottom 
some minutes before another string makes its appearance. She 
usually selects some protruding object like a stone, shell, or water 
pipe upon which to stick the egg strings. Having stuck one 
string she usually, but not always, returns to the same place to 
stick later strings. If strings are present when a female begins 
to deposit she usually attaches to these strings, or to nearby ob- 
jects. This no doubt accounts for the very large clusters, with 
strings containing eggs in various stages of development, that 
are sometimes found. Upon several occasions clusters in fish- 
traps aad live-cars have been found that would not go into an ordi- 
nary ten-quart pail. Such clusters are of course formed by many 
females. 
It is evident that the eggs may be fertilized in the oviduct,in 
the mantle chamber, or between the arms. Examination of the 
contents of the oviduct have in no case given evidence of sperm. 
Eggs taken from the oviduct may easily be fertilized by placing 
them in sea-water containing sperm, but in no case did eggs taken 
from the oviduct show evidence of fertilization although many 
sperm reservoirs that were giving off active sperm were attached 
to the walls of the oviduct and to surrounding organs. 
There can be no doubt, however, that eggs may be and are fer- 
tilized in the mantle chamber and also between the arms. That 
the eggs may be fertilized in the mantle chamber is indicated by 
reason rather than by obervation. When sperm reservoirs are 
attached in the mantle chamber the sperm are constantly liber- 
ated in the water in this chamber as long as the supply lasts. The 
eggs upon leaving the oviduct also pass into the mantle chamber 
and, as before stated, when eggs and sperm are mixed in sea- 
water, fertilization results. 
That fertilization may be delayed until the egg string is formed 
and held between the arms is indicated by observations made on 
