SUMMARY OF CURRENT RESEARCHES 
RELATING TO 
ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY 
(principally invertebrata and cryptogamia), 
MICROSCOPY, Etc. 
Including Original Communications from Fellows and Others* * * § 
ZOOLOGY. 
VERTEBRATA. 
a . Embryologry.f 
Artificial Insemination.* — Mr. W. Heape lias made experiments 
which, so far as they go, point to the conclusion that both copulation 
and the presence of spermatozoa in the uterus are necessary to induce 
ovulation in the virgin rabbit when she is in “ heat.” But this is not 
so in certain other mammals, such as mice and dogs, as the results of 
artificial insemination show. The author summarises the experiments 
of Spallanzani, P. Rossi, Sir Everett Millais, and others, besides noting 
some which he has himself made. “ It has been ascertained that if 
spermatozoa be placed artificially in the vagina of certain female 
mammals at the right season, they may conceive ; it has been ascer- 
tained also that if spermatozoa be placed artificially within the uterus 
of certain individual mammals which have failed for particular reasons 
to breed by natural means, they may become pregnant in consequence.” 
From one emission by a dog several bitches may be inseminated. 
“ There is little doubt that an extended study of the subject will 
throw light on the physiological relations of coition and insemination, 
ovulation and fertilisation, and on certain of the causes which induce 
sterility in mammals, which will be of great interest to physiologists 
and of great value to practical breeders.” The experiments should also- 
facilitate the study of hybridisation and telegony. 
Artificial Fertilisation of Rabbit’s Ova.§— Herr W. S. Grusdew 
has followed Spallanzani, Schenk (1878), and Ott (1882), in making 
* The Society are not intended to be denoted by the editorial “ we,” and they do 
not hold themselves responsible for the views of the authors of the papers noted,, 
nor for any claim to nOvelty or otherwise made by them. The object of this part of 
the Journal is to present a summary of the papers as actually published, and to 
describe and illustrate Instruments, Apparatus, &c., which are either new or have 
not been previously described in this country. 
f This section includes not only papers relating to Embryology properly so called, 
but also those dealing with Evolution, Development and Reproduction, and allied 
subjects. t Proc. Roy. Soc., lxi. (1897) pp. 52-63. 
§ Arch. f. Anat. u. Entwicklgesch. (His u. Braune), 1896, pp. 269-304 (1 pl.)j. 
See Zcol. Centralbl., iv. (1897) pp. 217-9. 
