346 MR. F. E. BEDDAED ON EARTHWORMS [^Pl'- l^J 



to be like those of T. rivuloruvi (though he enters into no detail in 

 the matter), spermatophores with sharply marked-ofi heads are 

 not fio-ured, the utmost being an oval swelling at that end of the 

 sperinatophore. The one positive fact, howeAer, seems to be of more 

 value than these negative discoveries. Prof. Lankester does not 

 assert that the spermatophores are actually formed iji the sperma- 

 thecai ; he is of opinion that while the epithelium of those pouches 

 '' furnishes a secretion which occupies part of its cavity and iu all 

 probability also assists as a cementing material in the formation of 

 the sperm-ropes," it is probable "that the bulk of the cementing 

 material is introduced into them with the spermatozoa from the 

 male organs of another worm." It is mainly the moulding and 

 hardening which, according to Lankester, is accomplished in the 

 spermatheca. On the other hand, Yejdovsky ^ leans towards the 

 view that the axial core of the spermatophore is the result of the 

 activity of the spermiducal glands in the Tubificida">, while the 

 transparent sheath is a product of the epithelium of the sperma- 

 thecae — a view mainly based upon the fact that immature sperma- 

 tophores without the outer sheath are found in the spermathecfe. 

 and that a secretion enveloping and binding together the individual 

 spermatozoa has been detected iu the spermiducal glands. \^ejdovsky 

 would thus divide the labour of producing the spermatophores be- 

 tween the terminal portion of the male efferent apparatus and the 

 spermathecse ; but would assign the most characteristic and impor- 

 tant part of the spermatophore to the activity of the spermatheeal 

 epithelium. 



I do not venture to dispute this view, as I have no new facts to 

 urge either in its favour or against it ; but I may point out that 

 any actual secretion of the case of the spermatophore by the 

 spermatheeal epithelium has not been described. It is true that 

 Nasse ^ has stated that during the epoch of sexual maturity the 

 epithelium of the spermathectc undergoes a change and partly 

 breaks down into or secretes a fluid substance, which lie compares 

 in its nature to the sperm atophore-case. On the other hand, the 

 spermathecce ol: many earthworms show the same features at the 

 time of ripeness, and in them there is no question, apparently, 

 that the spermatophores are not formed in the spermathecae. 

 Vejdovsky considers this as " hochst wahrscheinlich " ; but adds 

 that the spermatophores of Limnodrihis hoffmeisferi and of L. cla- 

 paredianus might settle the question, as their spermathecse possess 

 glandular cells which are coloured with a granular pigment. The 

 spermatophore of the latter species has been since described by 

 Stole ; but it is not apparent from his figures that there is any 

 pigment in the hyaline sheath of the structure. Neither does 

 Vejdovsky again allude to the matter in his later account of the 

 spermatophores of Tuhifew Uanchardi. In the meantime therefore 

 the actual source of the materials employed in the manufacture of 

 the spermatophores in those worms cannot be entirely traced. 

 ^^ System u. Morpli. d. Oligochseten, Prag, 1884, p. 153. 

 - Beitrage zur Anatomie der Tiibificiden, Inaug.-DisB., Bonn, 1882. 



