No. 2.] THE OVARIAN EGG OF LIMULUS. 113 



of Gegenbaur ('58), who, he says, has had the good fortune of 

 having a living specimen for dissection. 



Kingsley ('92) has shown the relation of the egg to the ger- 

 minal epithelium, and, from the point of view of oogenesis, has 

 shown some of the similarities of Limulus to the spiders. 



No one, however, so far as I know, has attempted to study 

 the ovarian egg of Limulus with the more fundamental prob- 

 lems in view. I have been compelled to go over the whole 

 ground and to reexamine the observations previously recorded 

 concerning the ovary. Where my description agrees with 

 previous accounts, it has at least the value of a confirmation. 



Material. — Material for the study of the mature eggs was 

 obtained, through the kindness of Professor Whitman, from 

 three female specimens that had been on exhibition in the 

 aquaria of the United States Fish Commission at the World's 

 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. In the following June, July, 

 and August an ample supply of material was collected at 

 Woods Holl, Mass., consisting chiefly of material from 

 females having mature ovaries, and captured in the act of ovi- 

 positing. From some of this material, through natural and 

 artificial fertilization, a large number of embryos were pro- 

 duced and raised to the desired age and size. Young Limuli, 

 ranging from one-fourth inch to eight inches, were obtained in 

 abundance at North Falmouth, Mass. 



The results here presented have been confirmed and ex- 

 tended on material ranging in size from eight inches to the 

 adult form, obtained in the latter part of October and the first 

 week in November, off New Haven, in Long Island Sound, in 

 water ranging from five to fifteen fathoms. The material has 

 been very abundant and the series complete. My thanks for 

 material are due to the following gentlemen : W. H. Munson, 

 W. H. Packard, Dr. Watase, and Professor Whitman. I would 

 also acknowledge my obligations to Captain Barnes, of the 

 Oyster Steamer, Roe & Co., of New Haven, Conn. 



My former teacher. Prof. Sidney I. Smith, has very kindly 

 enabled me to use the Yale Library ; and Dr. Watase has 

 given me much encouragement in my work. I desire to 

 express my appreciation of these favors. 



