1907.] Torelle, Fertilization of Eggs of Asterias a/nd Arhacia. 117 
Experiment c, Table III, shows that .01% and .005% solu- 
tions of ammonium hydroxide produced inactivity in the sperm- 
atozoa, and that only a few eggs (2%-5%) divided after fertili- 
zation by such spermatozoa. The eggs which were fertilized by 
such spermatozoa after immersion for ten minutes divided only 
once; those fertilized after an immersion of one minute divided 
several times, but did not reach the morula stage. Spermatozoa 
immersed in a .001% solution remained active and fertilized a 
large percentage of eggs which later developed into abnormal 
morulse. 
In general, the experiments show that the immersion of the 
spermatozoa of Arbacia in alcoholic solutions of certain strengths, 
seems to retard the development of eggs subsequently fertilized 
by them. Immersions in ether solutions, on the other hand, seems 
to accelerate the rate of development. After immersion in ammo- 
nium hydroxide (.01% and .005%), practically no development 
follows, although division and abnormal development takes place 
after immersion of the spermatozoa in very weak (.001%) solu- 
tions. When ammonium chloride was tried in .1% and .5% 
solutions, a few eggs segmented even when fertilized by spermat- 
ozoa immersed for twenty minutes. When eggs were fertilized 
by sperm immersed in .5% ether for thirty minutes, they devel- 
oped into plutei like the normal ones, with the difference that the 
rays (arms?) were shorter, and the alimentary canal projected 
outward ventrally. 
After immersion of the sperm in 5% alcohol for thirty minutes, 
division of practically all eggs . followed, but the cells were 
atypical, and the morulse assumed a crenate, shrunken appear- 
ance. In many cases, eggs fertilized by spermatozoa immersed 
for ten and fifteen minutes in 8%, 7%, and 5% alcohol, showed 
a tendency to divide in one plane only (the horizontal) after the 
four-cell stage. 
V^ery active sperm, when immersed in alcohol for some time, 
was rendered incapable of fertilizing. In one experiment, designed 
to test the effect of prolonged immersion, the eggs, quite mature, 
and in excellent condition — practically all developing after normal 
