442 Miscellaneous. 



between three and four degrees, while PliUesia ranges over nearly 

 fifteen. One interesting fact with regard to the Copigue is its ex- 

 treme hardiness, being almost the only plant that can exist in the 

 area covered by the sulphurons smoke of the smel ting-furnaces. 

 This was remarked to me by the manager of the Lota Company's 

 works, to whom, as well as the various oiRcials of the company, we 

 were indebted for much attention ; and I verified the observation 

 for myself subsequently, finding specimens in a flourishing condition 

 winding around the skeletons of shrubs killed by the smoke. The 

 Chilians sometimes make use of the flowers for poultices." — 

 Cunningham's Magellan, p. 364. 



On the Generation 0/ Helix aspersa. By M. S. Jourdain. 



The follicles of the genital gland of Helix aspersa produce ovules 

 and spermatozoids. The former are developed in the thickness of 

 the simple walls of the follicle, the latter in cells of its inner sur- 

 face. The excretory canal of the hermaphrodite gland (ovo- deferent 

 duct) always contains spermatozoids ; it affords a passage to the 

 ovules, which seem to traverse it rapidly, and only at the moment of 

 deposition. The ova and spermatozoids appear to travel in the ovo- 

 deferent canal by the action of the vibratile cilia which line its 

 inner wall. 



In the ovo-deferent canal the greater part of the spermatozoids 

 already possess the characters which we find in them later on, when 

 they are ready to act upon the female element. Their movements, 

 which have been denied, are very lively. The less advanced state 

 of the ovule and its immaturity seem to explain the want of action 

 of the spermatozoids, notwithstanding the direct contact which takes 

 place between the male and female elements. 



At their issue from the ovo-deferent canal the ovule and the 

 spermatozoid pass separately into two half-canals of very unequal 

 calibre, joined in such a manner that their margins are common. 

 These we may call the ovigerons and deferent cfumnels. 



On quitting the ovo-deferent canal the ovule receives a very thick 

 layer of albuminoid substance from a peculiar gland which pours its 

 product of secretion into the most distant part of the ovigerons 

 channel ; and lower down the actual walls of this channel furnish 

 the double tunic of the egg and the calcareous granules which are 

 disseminated through the outer of these envelopes. 



The semen descends by the deferent channel, in which the sper- 

 matozoids are already agglutinated by the secretion of the glands 

 which open into it in great numbers. They then pass into the 

 deferent canal, and finally penetrate into the flagelliform appendage, 

 the glands of which, by a refiex action due to the presence of the 

 semen, secrete a mucus, which becomes solidified and moulded upon 

 the walls of this appendage, enclosing the male element in a sort of 

 elongated and flexible sheath — a true spermatophore, called by 

 malacologists capreolus. 



At the moment of sexual approach, the penis, the extremity of 

 which is in relation with the entrance of the copulatory branch, causes 

 the siicrmatophore to penetrate into this appendage of the female 



