2 main:^ agricultural experiment station. 1910. 



This apparent disproportion between structure and function 

 led. to the undertaking of the present investigation. It was 

 desired to determine whether there did not exist some other 

 muscular apparatus besides that intrinsic in the oviduct wall 

 which could aid in the peristaltic activity of the organ. As 

 a matter of fact it was found that there is a highly developed 

 muscular apparatus in the ligaments of the oviduct. This mus- 

 culature is directly connected with that which is intrinsic in the 

 oviduct. Its existence at once gives the clue to the solution of 

 the puzzle of the appa-rent disproportion between structure and 

 function in the physiology of the oviduct. It appears that this 

 disproportion is only apparent, not real. 



The purpose of the present paper is, (a) to describe the liga- 

 ments which suspend the oviduct from the body wall, maintain 

 the convolutions in the tube and hold the funnel in position to 

 receive the mature yolks from the ovary, and (b) to describe 

 the bundles of muscle fibers which occur in these ligaments and 

 are continuous with the musculature of the walls of the oviduct. 



The Development oe the Oviduct and its Ligaments. 



The relation of the oviduct to its ligaments is clear when 

 studied in the light of its origin, development, and growth. 

 The present stud}- began with the oviducts of chicks just out 

 of the shell but in order to make the relations of the duct more 

 easily understood it will be well to begin the account with its 

 origin. The embryological facts presented are taken from 

 Lillie's* description. 



The formation of the oviduct is preceded by the thickening 

 of a strip of peritoneum on the surface of the Wolffian body 

 immediately ventral to the Wolffian duct. This strip of thick- 

 ened peritoneum, the tubal ridge, appears on the fourth day of 

 incubation. It first arises at the anterior end of the Wolffian 

 body and diflrerentiates rapidly backward to the cloaca. vSoon 

 after its formation a groove appears at its cranial end. The 

 lips of this groove fuse caudally forming a very short tube open 

 cranially to the abdominal cavity and ending bhndly behind. 

 This tube soon separates from llie tubal ridge. The lips of the 



* Lillie, F. R. The Development of the Chick. New Yoric (Holt), 1908. 



