1907.] TorelJe, Fertilization of Eggs of Asterias and Arbacia. 115 
From the above experiment, it is seen that an immersion in 
a io% alcoholic solution produces inactivity in the spermatozoa, 
and a consequent ineffectiveness in their fertilizing ability. 
Although they recover to some extent on being placed in sea- 
water, the few eggs fertilized by such spermatozoa do not develop 
into gastrulse. The experiment also shows that in solutions rang- 
ing from 1% to 5%, the activity is not lessened, nor is the fer- 
tilizing ability greatly impaired ; and it is clearly seen that an 
immersion for ten minutes in y%, 5% and 3% solutions not only 
causes a lesser number of eggs to divide, but retards the devel- 
opment of those which so divide. 
Spermatozoa from the male used in Experiment a, were also 
immersed in solutions of ether, and the eggs fertilized by such 
spermatozoa were compared with those normally fertilized. The 
eggs normally fertilized practically all divided. Experiment b. 
Table II, shows the result of the immersion of the spermatozoa. 
TABLE II. 
Experiment b. Ether Solutions. 
Arbacia Eggs and Sperm. 
Per cent. 
Ether. 
Time 
immersed. 
Effect on 
sperm. 
Per cent, 
divided. J 
Further development. 
.5 
1 min. 
active 
99 
AH blastulae in 16 hrs. Apparently 
more active than those normally 
fertilized. 
1. 
1 " 
very 
99 
All blastulae. 
active 
2. 
1 " 
active 
98 
All stages of division as well as 
blastulae. 
5. 
1 " 
inactive 
0 
.5 
10 min. 
active 
99 
Development further advanced 
than in .5^ 1 min. 
1. 
10 " 
very 
99 
Beginning gastrulae when 1%, 1 
active 
min. were blastulae; very active; 
shoot across field. 
2. 
10 " 
active 
90 
All stages of development seen, 
10 " 
inactive 
from 4 cell to gastrulae. 
*5. 
25 
All stages from 4 cell to gastrulae. 
