4 
Psyche 
[March 
of the calyx but distally it ends blindly. The proximal end 
of an ovariole joins the blind end of each pedicel. 
The wall of the paired oviduct is muscular while its lumen 
is lined by an epithelium which may be thrown into deep 
folds when it contains no oocyte. Each oviduct extends a 
short distance ventrally and posteriorly, then bends abruptly 
toward the midline of the body. As the two meet each turns 
sharply posteriorly. At this point they are enclosed in a 
common peritoneum and musculature but their lumens are 
quite independent. This condition is illustrated by Plate 1, 
fig. 4 which also shows the epithelial folds previously men- 
tioned. The united oviducts discharge almost immediately 
into the median oviduct. The latter is much abbreviated, 
lies within the wall of the atrium and differs from a paired 
oviduct only in the possession of a smooth, fairly thick, 
internal cuticula. 
The genital chamber, or vagina as it is frequently termed, 
continues the tract to its external opening. It is by far the 
largest part of the reproductive system and the most inter- 
esting to the student of viviparity. The illustrations show 
it to be divided into a genital pouch or atrium, a brood sac or 
uterus and a vestibule. All bear a heavy musculature, but 
that of the uterine portion is much greater for from this 
chamber parturition takes place. 
The genital pouch has a flat floor whose cuticula is ir- 
regularly folded over its posterior half. At the proximal 
margin it bends downward and becomes continuous with 
the roof of the underlying uterus. Its roof bears a slight 
elevation where the median oviduct joins it anteriorly, and 
a more pronounced central dome which, no doubt, facilitates 
the tilting of the eggs as they pass into the uterus. From 
its dorsal surface, too, various glands and the spermathecse 
project into the body cavity. They will be discussed 
presently. 
Considerable activity is centered in the genital pouch. In 
it the oocytes are inseminated, directed into the brood sac 
and provided with an ootheca. These activities are coordin- 
ated by the operation of the valves of the ovipositor which lie 
in its lumen. In addition, the spermatophores from the male 
are deposited here till further disposition is made of their 
essential elements. 
