THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
2G 
these vessels contAinccl in the renal cavity is covered by tlie spongy body (Fig. S, iv) 
which constitutes the excretory epithelium of the kidneys. 
Tlie two anterior renal orifices arc situated on both sides of the anus (to the left 
Itetween this last and the genital opening, Fig. R, ix) ; they are sessile, but surrounded 
by a prominent cushion. 
The rcno-pericardial orifice is near the external renal opening ; it is found more 
laterally than the latter (Fig. S, x) upon the ventral 
face of the renal cavity leading into a reno-pericardial 
tube (Fig. T, ii), applied to this latter, obliquely 
transverse, and directed latero-posteriorly, at the 
same time enlarging. By analogy with what exists 
in the other Dibranchiates, we would suppose that 
this tube is continuous with the viscero-pericardial 
cavity, but in the Spirula reticulata examined that 
could not be actually demonstrated, the dissection 
liaving been already carried too far from other points of view. 
•prrtune of Sftirula rtlieulata ; x 40. i, ex- 
Umml p*n»l »ji«Tture ; ii, rcno-pericardial duct; 
iii, a|>crturc of the rcno-jKTicardial duct ; iv, 
reual cavity. 
VI. Reproductive System. 
1. Sexes. — Tlie Challenger specimen, the “Blake” specimen and that from Pro- 
fe.«.sor Giard, were females, so tliat of the six individuals examined up to the present 
time from this point of view five were females (Blainville, Owen 1879, Challenger, 
“ Blake,” Giard) and only one male (Owen 1880). It is then very probable that 
in Spinila there is hyperpolygeny as in the other Cephalopods with non-autotomic 
hectocotyle. 
2. Ovary . — The ovary occupies the greater part of the right half of the viscero- 
|K.-rir.ardial cavity (I’l. I. fig. G ; Id. IV. fig. l), and, in the Spirula reticulata examined, 
it even invades in part, in front of tJic shell and at the back of the heart, the left half of 
this cavity. It is attached at the postcro-external (right) side of the stomach properly 
so-called or cardiac sac (1*1. VI. fig. 2), as in the Ommatostrephidm for example.^ It 
ri.'M's from the cceloniic wall (or “ jicritoneum ”) by a fold, which forms for it a peduncle 
and encloses the bhxxl-ve.sscls, upon which the ovary forms a sort of cluster (for the eggs, 
se. further on : laying). 
.3. (h'i‘luct . — The oviduct is situated to the left* and there occupies the greater part of 
the v*-ntnil region of the j) 08 terior half of the body in Spirula 2 )eronii (PI. IV. fig. 3,ov.), 
w« ll a.s in SjH7'nln reticulata (Fig. R, v). In the two specimens examined it was 
• t.^ntrnn- to wliat Ttwen any* (op. rit., p. 12), according to whom the ovary is to the left. 
* And not at the riffht, oa indicated in the Trait<S de Zoologie of Claus. 
