6 INTRODUCTION. 



Fertilisacion is apparently effected in the ovary. I have 

 never seen spermatozoa in any part of the female apparatus 

 except in the ovaries, and in small numbers in the upper end 

 of the oviducts at the time when the ova are entering the 

 latter. 



The ripe, and probably fertilised, ova pass into the oviduct 

 in April, while the uterus is still full of embryos almost ready 

 for birth. Segmentation and the early stages of development 

 take place during the passage of the ova down the oviduct. 

 In May the young of the previous year are born. Into the 

 uterus, thus emptied, the young ova pass, and establish them- 

 selves in the positions which they maintain until the following 

 May, when they are born. 



The passage of the ova down the oviducts and ^ uteri is 

 effected by the peristaltic contraction of the walls of these 

 structures. I have never been able to see cilia in the genera- 

 tive organs, or in any other part of the body of Peripatus 

 capensis.^ 



The living ripe ovarian ovum is somewhat elliptical in shape 

 and of dark colour by transmitted light. The opacity is due 

 to the presence of granules, which are uniformly distributed 

 in the protoplasm, but absent altogether from the large 

 germinal vesicle. 



As I have stated above, I propose to defer my account of the 

 ovary and ovarian ovum until their development is con- 

 sidered. 



' The ovarian walls themselves contain muscles and are contractile. 

 ^ This remark applies to the nephridia, all parts of which I have carefully 

 examined in the fresh state without ever seeing a trace of cilia. 



