382 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



IX. The Spermatophores. 



A spermatophore consists of a large number of 

 spermatozoa cemented together by a substance derived 

 from the prostate, the cells of which open into the 

 spermiducal gland as already described. These spermato- 

 phores are comparatively solid and resistant structures, 

 and can always be found in the spermathecae of a mature 

 worm. When properly formed, they have a very 

 characteristic shape and structure, but it is quite common 

 to find ill-formed ones which are not at all typical in 

 shape or structure. This seems to be due to a lack of the 

 cementing substance. 



The number of these structures which may be found 

 in one spermatheca varies considerably. I have often 

 found only one, more commonly two or three, and 

 occasionally as many as five or six. They vary, too, very 

 much in size, but, as a rule, the perfectly formed ones 

 are nearly or quite as long as the spermatheca in which 

 they are found. They are arranged quite irregularly in 

 the spermatheca, sometimes lying coiled up entirely in 

 the pouch, and in other cases occupying the duct and 

 whole length of the pouch, and yet lying coiled up in it. 

 Their arrangement can best be seen when the sperma- 

 thecae are liberated from the living worm, as described 

 above (PL VII, fig. 49). They can then be examined 

 within the spermatheca, or, with care, it is possible to 

 liberate them by rupturing the wall of this organ, when 

 those which are coiled up in it break free and may be 

 removed in a perfect condition. They stain well in a very 

 dilute solution of methylene blue, but permanent prepara- 

 tions cannot be made in this way. They can, however, be 

 fixed to the slide, and stained first with borax-carmine 

 and counter-stained with picro-indigo-carmine, when the 



