284 MR. NEWPORT ON THE IMPREGNATION OF THE OVUM IN THE AMPHIBIA 



The general conclusions deducible from these observations, with reference to the 

 nature of the influence of the spermatozoon in impregnation, seemed to be, that 

 as water which holds in suspension or solution any chemical substance, conveys some 

 portion of that substance at all times, with great rapidity, to the immediate vicinity 

 of the yelk itself, which becomes affected by it, and especially so at the time of its 

 first coming into contact with the envelopes of the newly deposited egg, the sub- 

 stance of the spermatozoon also, if diffused in water, might be so conveyed, in the 

 experiments proposed. In addition to this conclusion, there are others, which, 

 although less directly connected with the object in view, are not less important. 

 Thus it appears that an alkaline fluid, in large quantity, is as injurious to the vitality 

 and fecundatory influence of the spermatozoon as to the fertility of the egg. 



Trituration Experiments. The endeavour in these experiments was to put to the 

 test the question proposed in the preceding observations, whether, if the sperma- 

 tozoon be reduced to a state of diffluence in water quickly after it has left the body 

 of the Frog, and before it can reasonably be supposed that any change in the chemical 

 constituents of its body has taken place, the egg can be fecundated through simple 

 imbibition of the substance of the spermatozoon, conveyed to the vicinity of the yelk 

 with the water during endosmosis, at the time when endosmosis of the envelopes of 

 the egg is most energetic ? 



Although it had been constantly found, both by the authorities before cited, and 

 since by myself, that when the spermatozoon has ceased to move, and is believed 

 to be dead, no impregnation results from the contact of its motionless body with 

 the egg; yet there still appeared to remain some doubt as to what this want of 

 operation is then due ; whether it is to be attributed to the organic death and 

 incipient decomposition of the body, or whether to the loss or suspension of some 

 power which is characterized by motion, and through which its function is exercised? 



The following experiments, with reference to this question, were commenced before 

 I was aware of the fact that the spermatozoon penetrates into the envelopes of the 

 egg ; a fact which, when known, seemed further to necessitate the inquiry, as probably 

 tending to show whether impregnation is merely the result of a union of the sub- 

 stance of the spermatozoon with that of the yelk or its vesicle ; or whether it be not 

 primarily due to the transmission of some dynamic influence, force, or peculiar 

 vitalizing power from the spermatozoon to the egg at the time of, or previous to any 

 fusion with it of its material substance. 



The first experiments were made by breaking down the bodies of the spermatozoa 

 mixed with water, and, after filtration, applying the filtered liquid directly to the 

 egg ; the following being the method pursued : 



The bottom and sides of a very small glass mortar, and the glass pestle employed 

 with it were ground together with fine sand and water, for the purpose of slightly- 

 roughening their surfaces, and of ensuring their contact at every part, and thus 

 to render the crushing of the spermatozoa more certain. 



