56 



Messrs. S. Gr. Shattock and C. G-. Seligmann. [Dec. 14, 



and indicates that these developed pari passu with the reproduction of 

 the testicles, until they ultimately became fully pronounced. 



That a comparatively small volume of testicular tissue will suffice to 

 bring about the development of male characters appears from the 

 following result, in which the bird grew to be fully male with the 

 slight exception that the neck-hackles were somewhat less closely set 

 than is normally the case. 



" Buff Orpington," of about 8 weeks, at which time double castration 

 was performed. Eight months after the operation, the comb was well 

 developed and bright in colour ; the plumage in general, somewhat pale 

 and sparse ; neck-hackles moderately developed : spurs small. 

 Eleven months after the operation, the comb and wattles were well 

 developed ; neck-hackles moderate ; saddle-hackles fairly male ; tail 

 feathers beginning to take the male curve; spurs grown to the normal 

 male extent. 



The bird was killed 17 months after the operation, its condi- 

 tion being as last noted. Dissection shows on the left side no 

 trace of testicle in its normal position, but an inch and a half lower 

 down, and three quarters of an inch anterior to this spot, there is 

 an oval graft 2 -5 cm. in chief diameter, loosely connected with the 

 lateral Avail of the abdomen. Above it, separated by a distance of 

 1*5 cm. and intimately incorporated with the peritoneum, is a second 

 graft 0-5 cm. in chief diameter ; and behind or dorsally to this is a 

 further minute nodule - 2 cm. in diameter, and likewise inseparably 

 adherent to the peritoneum. 



The vas is extremely fine and traceable to the vacant, original, site 

 of the testicle. On the right side in the situation of the testis there 

 are two small flattened nodules, the larger, lower, of which, is 0*8 cm. 

 in chief, vertical diameter. Into the lower end of the inferior the vas, 

 diminished in size and empty of secretion, is directly traceable. A 

 third nodule which lay about 1 cm. anteriorly to these and slightly 

 lower in the abdominal cavity was removed for microscopic purposes : 

 scrapings from its divided surface disclosed the presence of 

 spermatozoa. 



Histologically the largest graft (that on the left side of the abdomen) 

 shows closely applied tubuli of full size, every one of which presents 

 the histological pictures typical of active spermatogenesis. The lumen 

 of the tubuli contains free spermatozoa. All the cell nuclei are 

 throughout perfectly stained with nuclear dyes, proving that the tissue 

 is living and not in an obsolete or necrotic condition. The amount of 

 inter-tubular stroma is very small, and supports well formed arterioles 

 and other vessels. 



The much greater size of the dislocated graft on the left side of the 

 abdomen, and its high state of activity, suggest that it is the chief element 



