The Anatomy of Chlamydoselachus 447 



The common opening (ostium abdominale tubae uterinae) from the body cavity into 

 the oviducts is situated in the region of junction of the oviducts at the extreme anterior 

 end of the body cavity, ventral to the root of the liver. In specimen No. II (Text'figure 88) 

 this opening is almost divided into two, one for each oviduct, which face somewhat medial- 

 ly. It seems almost incredible that so large an egg as that of Chlamydoselachus can find 

 its way into one of these openings, though the fluted, funnel'shaped ostium is evidently 

 capable of distention. 



Throughout almost their entire lengths the oviducts are supported by special mesen- 

 teries attached to the median dorsal mesentery. The only exceptions are found anteriorly, 

 where in front of the shell glands the oviducts diverge to course along the dorsal, lateral 

 and ventral walls of the body cavity, and then unite ventral to the root of the liver. In 

 specimen No. IV each oviduct, where it traverses the lateral wall of the body cavity, is 

 attached to this wall by a narrow mesentery. This mesentery, which we may call the 

 dorsolateral mesentery of the oviduct, is not shown in Text-figure 85. It is not present 

 in my older specimens where the corresponding part of the oviduct is closely applied to 

 the body wall and is merely covered by the peritoneum. In all my specimens, special 

 provision is made for the support of the ventral portions of the oviducts. In specimens 

 IV and III this support is furnished by a pair of ventral ligaments (Text-figures 85 and 86), 

 which are strong special mesenteries. Each has one end fastened to the ventrolateral 

 portion of the oviduct and the other end attached to the ventral body wall near the mid-line. 

 In my older specimens, Nos. I and II, these ligaments (Text-figures 87 and 88) are shorter 

 and broader; they differ, too, in their histological structure, since they blend with the 

 substance of the oviducts. 



In its enlarged state, on the right sides of my adult specimens, the so-called uterus has 

 thin walls, a velvety inner surface and a fairly rich blood supply. The mucous membrane 

 is not sufficiently well preserved to permit a study of the finer structure. 



The anterior portions of the oviducts ("some twelve inches in length") of Carman's 

 specimen (1885.2) are represented in my Text-figure 94. It is interesting to note that there 

 are two ostia, entirely separate from one another (compare my Text-figures 85 to 88 inclu- 

 sive). Of his specimen Garman says: "Three inches from the anterior end of one of the 

 oviducts it bore a nidamental gland; the gland of the other tube was an inch farther back. 

 A piece left at the cloaca showed one of the ducts greatly distended, possibly with young 

 that had hatched within it. Only one of the tubes had been in use." In Text-figure 92 

 the opening of the oviduct that had not been expanded is shown on the left side, the 

 other (right side) having been cut open to show the internal arrangement. Carman's 

 intricate description, illustrated by his Fig. C, pi. XX, of the internal structure of the 

 nidamental gland (shell gland) is too involved for consideration here. It should be com- 

 pared with Borcea's account (1905, pp. 419-427, Text-figs. 93, 94 and 95) of the structure 

 of the nidamental gland of Scyllium. 



Collett's (1897) pu2;2;ling description of the oviducts and "uteri" of his large female 



