1941] 
Reproductive System of a Roach 
5 
The uterine portion is huge compared with the rest of the 
tract and is capable of enormous distention during gestation. 
Plate 1, fig. 2 is particularly striking since fourteen develop- 
ing eggs may be seen in it, while twelve is the usual number. 
The arrows point to two embyros which will not survive for 
they are forming in immature oocytes. An empty uterus is 
always much folded and its cuticula and epithelium are 
thrown into massive fungiform papillae. The vestibule is 
short, connecting with both atrium and uterus anteriorly 
and opening to the outside of the body by means of the 
posteriorly situated vulva. It is quite muscular and the 
intima is beset with low conical papillae, each bearing a 
delicate seta. 
The spermathecae are two simple, tubular glands. Each 
projects into the body cavity from the roof of the genital 
pouch on either side of the elevation formed by the insertion 
of the oviduct. Their muscular walls enclose a remarkably 
tall, columnar epithelium with a cuticula bordering the rela- 
tively narrow lumen. The spermatozoa are bent in an arc 
at right angles to the length of the organ, hence the oldest 
gametes must be situated farthest from the opening in the 
atrium. The proximal ends of the spermathecae traverse 
the distal wall of the latter and open from papillae above the 
gonopore. A laterally placed spermathecal gland entwines 
each spermatheca and accompanies it through the atrial wall. 
This gland possesses an irregular superficial outline, thick 
walls and a narrow lumen. The latter is constantly filled 
with an intensely basophilic secretion. 
Posterior to the median dome in the roof of the genital 
pouch lie two large glands. The left one is termed a crys- 
talloid gland for its lumen always seems to contain granular 
secretions. Perhaps it, too, contains the proteinaceous basal 
substances which form the ootheca and thus conforms to 
the glands studied by Bordas (1909), Ito (1924), Pyror 
(1940) and others. Because of its persistent secretory ac- 
tivity, however, it may be a nutrient organ for the embryos. 
Its duct, upon leaving the lumen of the atrium, widens into 
an ampulla or reservoir, narrows quickly again, then 
branches four times toward the left to produce five tubes 
which reach the surface of the atrium. Just at the surface 
each one divides again to thrust a total of ten simple tubes 
