VISOEEA. 53 



between the testicle and the adipose bodies. This 

 has been considered by some anatomists as a rudi- 

 mentary ovary, which it resembles in the ova-like 

 nature of its contents. There is, however, no ground 

 for regarding male toads as in any way normally 

 hermaphrodite, for Spengel has actually observed a 

 true hermaphrodite specimen of the common toad, in 

 which the problematic organ was developed in addition 

 to the ovary, and that author therefore regards it as a 

 division of the testicle, endorsing the view of Bidder, 

 its discoverer. 



Rudimentary oviducts, the Miillerian ducts, occur 

 in the males ; most developed in Alytes, where, as 

 we have seen above, they are functional, viz. act as 

 seminal ducts, and in Bvfu ; absent in the Pelobatidx 

 and Hylidas. 



The following comparison is instituted on specimens 

 examined during the breeding period : 



In Biscoglossus the testes are remarkably large, 

 elongate, oval, ivory-white, longitudinally striated, 

 measuring two-thirds to five-sixths the length of the 

 kidneys. Contrary to what exist in all other Ecau- 

 data, there is but one vas efferens, of large calibre, 

 which does not open into the kidney, but is continued 

 uninterruptedly into the seminal duct, which extends 

 up to the front extremity of the kidney, terminating 

 in a short blind process. The vesicida seminis is very 

 large, and extends high up the side of the kidney. 



In Bomhinator pachypus the testes are yellow, un- 

 pigmented, twice to twice and a half as long as broad, 

 slightly flattened and rounded at both ends, nearly 

 half as long as the kidneys. The vasa efferentia open 

 into a canal along the inner edge of the kidney. This 

 canal communicates with the seminal duct at the 

 anterior extremity of the kidney, beyond which the 

 duct extends forwai-ds as a blind process. A vesicula 

 seminis is absent. B. igneus differs in having the 

 testicles more or less pigmented, sometimes wholly 

 black. They measure two-fifths to one-half the length 



