THE ANATOMY OF AMPHIPTYCHES URNA. 147 
sections through the spot where the oviduct (od.) leading from the ovary passes very 
close to the walls of the receptaculum. Figure 1 represents it just arising from the 
central space containing ova, figure 2 shows it distinct,* figures 3 and 4 are cut 
through a part where it is just bending slightly upwards; in figure 5 the lower part 
appears to be connected with the wall of the receptaculum, though there is no distinct 
lumen present, whilst figure 6 represents in the next section a slight indent of the 
wall of the receptaculum where it has come in contact with the downgrowth (od.') of 
the oviduct (od.). 
‘It seems probable to me that these appearances indicate the existence of a direct 
connection between the store of ripe spermatozoa and the upper end of the oviduct, 
and point to the fact that the ova are fertilised as they pass into the uterus. We may 
fairly suppose that the ova of one worm are fertilised by the ripe sperm in the 
receptaculum, and as the latter opens upon the dorsal and the uterus upon the ventral 
surface, it is difficult to see how the contents of the one pass into the other, unless 
it be by some such passage as the one indicated. The uterus also is so crammed 
full with embryos that, unless these are completely ejected before a fresh supply is 
sent in from the ovaries, it would be very difficult for the spermatozoa to pass up the 
whole leneth of the uterus, and so reach the ova before they become invested in their 
shell membranes, for there is no structure corresponding to the vagina of an ordinary 
Cestode whereby the spermatozoa enter, independently, the uterus. 
T have to thank Dr. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc., of Sydney, for his kindness in supply- 
ing me with a specimen of Amphiptyches, and especially for the trouble which he 
has taken in providing me with a copy of Wagener’s paper and illustrations, which 
were inaccessible to mein Melbourne. I have also to thank Mr. Fletcher, M.A., B.Sce., 
for his kindness in obtaining for me a copy of Wagener’s paper in the Arch. f. 
Naturgesichte. 
* There is an interval of two sections between those represented in figures 1 and 2. 
