Spergularia 
in Spenjtlla, with secondary clustersof leaves forming ap- 
parent whorls at the axils. The small flowers open in 
bright sunshine, and are white or rose-colored or common- 
ly purplish. 'J'hc species are known as sand-spurry. At 
least :i species are found on the Atlantic coast of the 
United States. See Ti&m. 
sperhawkt, " Same as aparhavJt for sparroie- 
httick. 
sperket (spto'ket), . [Also spirket; origin ob- 
scure.] A large hooked wooden peg, not much 
curved, to hang saddles, harness, etc., on. Hal- 
liwell. [Prov. Eng.] 
High on the spirket there it hung. 
Bloomfield, The Horkey. (Daviei.) 
Sperling (sper'ling), H. Same as sparliii;/ 1 . 
sperm 1 (sperm), H. [< ME. sperme,<. OF. gperme, 
x/inrnte, Y.sperme = Sp. ,Pg. esperma = It. sper- 
ma, < L. sperma, < Gr. ampfia (oirep/iar-), seed, 
< aircipciv, sow. Of. spore' 2 .'] The male seed of 
any kind, as the semen or seminal fluid of the 
higher vertebrates, the male spawn or milt of 
the lower vertebrates, or the seminal elements 
of any animal, containing the male germs, or 
spermatozoa. 
sperm 2 (sperm), H. [Abbr. of spermaceti."] 1. 
Same as spermaceti. 2. A sperm-whale. 3. 
Sperm-oil. 
spernia (sper'ma), . Same as semen (which 
see). 
spermaceti (spr-ma-set'i or -se'ti), n. and a. 
[Formerly or dial, also, in corrupt forms, par- 
macetl, parmacety, parmaeetty, parmacity, par- 
macitty, etc.; < F. spermaceti = Sp. esperma- 
ceti = Pg. espermacete = It. spermaceti, < NL. 
spermaceti, lit. ' whale's seed,' the substance hav- 
ing been regarded as the spawn of the whale ; < 
L. sperma, seed, + ceti, gen. of cetus, < Gr. Kt/rof, 
whale: see Cete 3 .] I. n. A peculiar fatty sub- 
stance contained in the characteristic adipose 
tissue of the cavity of the head of the sperm- 
whale or cachalot, 1'hyseter or Catodon macro- 
cephalus, and related cetaceans. During the life 
of the animal the spermaceti is in a fluid state, and when 
the head is opened has the appearance of an oily white 
liquid. On exposure to the air the spermaceti concretes 
and precipitates from the oil, from which it may then be 
separated. After being purified by an elaborate process 
the spermaceti concretes into a white, crystallized, brittle, 
semi-transparent unctuous substance, nearly inodorous 
and insipid. It dissolves in boiling alcohol, and as the 
solution cools it is deposited in perfectly pure lamellated 
crystals. In this state it is called cctin. Spermaceti is a 
mixture of various fatty acids and derivatives of the acids. 
It is bland and demulcent, but in medicine it is chiefly cm- 
ployed externally as an ingredient in ointments, cerates, 
and cosmetics. It has also been largely used in the manu- 
facture of candles. 
By this [fallacy of Equivocation] are they deluded who 
conceive spermaceti \sperma Cceti, Pseud. Ep., 1646), which 
is found about the head, to be the spawn of the whale. 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., ii. 1. 
II. a. 1. Pertaining to, derived from, or com- 
posed of spermaceti or sperm. 2. Producing 
or yielding spermaceti, as the sperm-whales. 
Spermaceti ointment. See ointment. 
spermaceti-oil (sper-ma-set'i-oil), n. Sperm- 
oil. 
spermaceti-whale (sper-ma-set'i-hwal), n. A 
sperm-whale. 
Spermacoce (sper-ma-ko'se), n. [NL. (Dille- 
nius, 1732), so called in allusion to the carpels 
pointed with one or more calyx-teeth; < Gr. 
axep/ia, seed, germ, + OKUM/, a point, < ani], a 
point, anything sharp.] A genus of rubiaceous 
plants, type of the tribe Spermacocess. It is char- 
acterized by flowers with from two to four calyx-lobes 
sometimes with smaller teeth between, a small two-cleft 
or capitate stigma, and a dry fruit of two carpels which 
separate when ripe and are each or only one of them 
open, one often retaining the membranous axis. There 
are about 175 species, scattered through tropical and sub- 
tropical regions, and particularly common in America. 
They are annual or perennial herbs or low undershrubs, 
with smooth, rough, or hairy stems, commonly with four- 
angled branehlets. They bear opposite leaves, which are 
either sessile or petioled, membranous or coriaceous, 
nerved or feather-veined. The stipules are united with 
the petioles into a bristle-bearing membrane or sheath. 
The small sessile flowers are solitary in the axils or vari- 
ously clustered, often in dense axillary and terminal heads, 
and are white, pink, or blue. In allusion to the heads, 
the species are called button-weed. Five species occur 
in the United States all southern and summer-flower- 
ing and with a short white corolla ; S. glabra, the most 
common, extends into Ohio. Several species are in re- 
pute for medicinal properties, especially as substitutes 
for ipecacuanha, for which S. ferruyinea and S. Poaya 
are used in Brazil, and S. verlicillata in the West Indies. 
The root of S. hispiila, is used as a sudorific in India. 
Spermacocese (sper-ma-ko'se-e), n. pi. [NL. 
(Chamisso and Schlecti'tendal, 1828), < Sperma- 
coce + -cse (shortened for Spermacoeeese).] A 
tribe of rubiaceous plants, of which Spcrmacore 
is the type, embracing 18 other genera, chiefly 
natives of tropical or subtropical America. 
spermaduct (sper'ma-dukt), n. [< NL. gperma- 
ductus, irreg. < Gr. avipjia, seed, + L. ductus, a 
5818 
duct: see iJi/cf.'] A spermatic duct, or sperm- 
duct; a male gonaduct or seminal passage; a 
hollow tubular or vesicular organ in the male, 
serving to convey or detain sperm or semen. 
It is connected in some way with the spermary, from 
which it carries off the sperm, and in many animals is 
specifically called the vas ile.feren. But it is a more com- 
prehensive term, including the whole of the male gener- 
ative passages, of whatever kind. Also gperiii(rd<-tti<, 
*j/: l'llli<htCt. 
spermagone (sper'ma-gou), . Same as xpi-r- 
IK'KJOIIC. 
spermagonium (sper-ma-go'm-um), . Same 
as xpci'iiiotjoiiiuiii. 
spermalist (sper'ma-list), n. [< x/xrwi 1 + -al + 
-ist.] A s_permist. 
spermangium (sper-man'ji-um), n. ; pi. *//- 
nii(ii(/iti (-a). [NL., < Gr. airepfia., seed, sperm. + 
a-j'yeicn', vessel.] In Algse, a receptacle contain- 
ing the spores: same as conceptacle, 2 (b). 
spermaphyte (sper'ma-fit). H. fjQemermopkyte. 
spermarium (sper-ma'ri-um), .; pi. spermaria 
(-a). [NL., < L. sperma, seed, + -arium."] A 
spermary: used in distinction from ovarium. 
spermary (sper'ma-ri), n. ; pi. spermaries (-riz). 
[< NL. spermarium.'] The male germ-gland or 
essential sexual organ, of whatever character: 
the sperm-gland, or spermatic organ, or seminal 
gonad, in which spermatozoa are generated, in 
its specialized condition in the higher animals 
known as the testis or testicle. The term is used 
in distinction from ovary, both spermaries and 
ovaries being gonads. Also spermnriiim. 
spennatemphraxis (sper'ma-tem-frak'sis), . 
[NL., < Gr. mrepfia(T-), seed,' + inQpaoativ, ob- 
struct: see emphractic."] Obstruction to the 
discharge of semen. 
spermatheca (sper-ma-the'ka), n. ; pi. sperma- 
thecfe (-se). [NL., irreg. < Gr. airtpfia, seed, 4- 
Or/Kr/, a case. Cf. spermothcca.'} A spermatic 
case, capsule, or sheath; a receptacle for se- 
men ; specifically, the seminal receptacle in the 
female, as of various insects and other inverte- 
brates, which receives and conveys or detains 
the sperm of the male. More correctly sper- 
matotlieca. See cuts under Dendroc&la, ovari- 
ole, and Shabdoceela. 
spermathecal (sper-ma-the'kal), a. [< sper- 
matheca + -al.] Of or pertaining to a sperma- 
theca: as, a spermathecal duct or vesicle. 
On reaching the point where the spermathecal duct de- 
bouches, they [ova] are impregnated by the spermatozoa 
which escape now from the spermatheca and meet the 
ova. Encyc. Brit., XVI. 658. 
spermatia, n. Plural of spennatium. 
spermatic (sper-mat'ik), a. [< OF. (and F.) 
xpermatique = Sp. espermdtico = Pg. espermati- 
co = It. spermatico, < L. spermaticus, < Gr. anep- 
[taTtn6f, < oirepua, seed: see sperm 1 .'] 1. Of or 
pertaining to sperm, or male seed, in general ; 
containing spermatozoa, or consisting of sperm 
or semen; seminal: as, spermatic fluid. 2. Se- 
creting spermatozoa ; generating or producing 
semen; seminal, as a spermary. 3. Connected 
with or related to the spermary, or essential 
male organ ; subservient to the male function ; 
testicular: as, spermatic vessels; the spermatic 
cord. 4. In bot., resembling or of the nature 
of spermatia : as, spermatic filaments ; sper- 
matic gelatin. 5. Figuratively, seminal ; ger- 
minal; fructifying. [Rare.] 
I find certain books vital and spermatic, not leaving the 
reader what he was ; he shuts the book a richer man. 
Emerson, Books. 
External spermatic fascia. Same as intercolumnar 
fascia (whicn see, under fascia). External spermatic 
nerve, the genital branch of the genitocrural nerve. It 
supplies the cremaster muscle. Internal spermatic 
fascia. Same as in,fundibul\form fascia (which see, under 
.fascia). Spermatic artery, any artery supplying a tes- 
tis or other spermary, corresponding to an ovarian artery 
of the female. In man the spermatic arteries are two long 
slender arteries arising from the abdominal aorta a little 
below the renal arteries, and passing along each spermatic 
cord, to be distributed to the testes. Spermatic cal- 
culus, a concretion sometimes found in the seminal vesi- 
cles. Spermatic canal, (a) The inguinal canaL (b) Any 
spermatic duct, as the vas deferens. Spermatic car- 
tridge. Same as spermatophore. Spermatic cord. See 
cordi. Spermatic cyst, in palhol., a cyst arising in the 
testicle near the epididymis, and filled with fluid in which 
are often found spermatozoa, crystals, etc. See spermato- 
cele. Spermatic duct. Same as tpermaduct. Sper- 
matic filament, a spermatozoon. Spermatic gelatin, 
in bot., a gelatinous substance in spermogonia which when 
wet aids in the expulsion of the spermatia. Spermatic 
logos. See logos. Spermatic plexus of nerves. See 
plexus. Spermatic plexus of veins, a thick plexus of 
convoluted vessels formed in the spermatic cord by the ve- 
nae comites of the spermatic arteries. These veins coalesce 
after leaving the inguinal canal, and empty into the vena 
cava inferior of the right side and the renal vein of the left 
side. This venous plexus corresponds to the ovarian ve- 
nous plexus of the female, and is specifically known as 
the pampintform plexus. When varicose, it constitutes a 
spermatogemma 
varicocde or cirsocele, an extremely ommiun altuction, 
most frequent on the left side. Spermatic rete. Same 
as rete vasculosum testig (which see, under rete). Sper- 
matic sac, a sac containing a number of spermatozoa 
packed or bundled together, to be discharged on rupture 
of the sac. 
spermatical (sper-mat'i-kal), a. [< x/n-ruiulic 
+ -'.] Same as spermatic. Jiarmi. 
spermatiogenous (spt'r-ma-slii-oj'c-nus), a. [< 
NL. K/II riiintiiiiii + Gr. -yevr/c;, producing: see 
-t/i'iiiiiin.'] In bot., producing or bearing sper- 
inatia: as, a gpermatiugenous surface. 
On tile contrary, they are disk-shaped or cushion-shaped 
bodies with the Kpennatioffenous surface folded into deep 
sinuous depressions. De Bary, Fungi (trans.), p. 241. 
spermatiophore (sper-ma'shi-o-ior), . [< NL. 
x/H'rinatiiiHi + Gr. -^opof, < ipipetv = E. bear 1 .'] In 
bot., a structure bearing a spennatium. 
spermatism (sper'ma-ti/.m). H. [< XJM riiint(i:i') 
+ -i*w.] 1. Emission of semen; a seminal 
discharge. 2. Same as spinnism. 
spermatist (sper'ma-tist), . [< Gr. anepfia(r-), 
seed, + -is<.] Sarnie as uprrmixt. 
spermatium (sper-ma'shi-um), .; pi. sperma- 
tia (-a). [NL., < Gr. oirepua, seed.] In bot., an 
exceedingly minute cylindrical or rod-shaped 
body in fungi, produced like spores in cup-like 
organs called spermogonia. The spermatia are con- 
jectured to be the male fertilizing organs, although the 
male sexual function of all spermatia in fungi has not 
been demonstrated. In more technical language a sper- 
matium is a "male non-motile gamete conjugating with 
the trichogyne of a procarp " (Goebel). 
spermatize (sper'ma-tlz), r. .; pret. and pp. 
xpermatized, ppr. spertatizi>t</. [< Gr. ancpfiaTi- 
C,siv, sow, yield seed,< ampfia, seed : see sperm 1 .] 
To yield male sperm or seed; have a seminal 
emission; discharge semen. 
spermatoat, . Plural of xpermatoon. Ovsen. 
spermatoal (sper-ma-to'al), a. [< spermato(on) 
+ -al.] Pertaining to a'spermatoon. Owen. 
spermatoblast (sper'ma-to-blast), n. [< Gr. 
axep/ja(T-), seed, + /3/.aoT(if,'bud, sprout, shoot.] 
The bud or germ of a spermatozoon ; a germinal 
blastema whence spermatozoa are produced. 
Spermatoblasts form a layer of nucleated and nucleolated 
cells In the seminal tubules, which proliferates or pro- 
jects into the lumen of the tubule with often a lobed or 
digitate end ; and from every lobe a spermatozoon devel- 
ops and is discharged, leaving a branching stump of the 
spermatoblast. Also spermoblast, nematoblast. 
spermatoblastic (sper'ma-to-blaVtik), a. [< 
spermatoblast + -ic.] Of or pertaining to sper- 
matoblasts or the formation of spermatozoa; 
germinal or budding, as a structure which de- 
velops spermatozoa. Also spermoblastic. 
spermatocele (sper'ma-to-sel), n. [< Gr. oirtp- 
/M(T-), seed, + idfi.ri, a tumor.] A retention- 
cyst of the epididymis or testicle containing 
spermatozoa. 
spermatocyst (sper'ma-to-sist), . [< NL. sper- 
matocyxtis,<. Gr. oTrf/3/z(r-), seed, + Krartf, blad- 
der: see cyst."] 1. In anat., a seminal vesicle. 
2. In pathol., a spermatic cyst or sac. See 
spermatic. 
spermatocystic (sper'nia-to-sis'tik), a. [< sper- 
matocyst + -ic.] Containing spermatozoa, as a 
cyst ; of the nature of a spermatocyst. 
spermatocystidium (sper'ma-to-sis-tid'i-um), 
n.; pi. spermatocystidta (-a). [NL., < Gr. amp- 
ua(r-), seed, + Ktxmf, bladder, + dim. -iStov."} 
In bot., same as antlieridium. Bedtrig. 
spermatocystis (sper'ma-to-sis'tis), n. [NL.: 
see spermatocyst."] Same as spermatocyst. 
spermatocystitis (sper"ma-to-sis-ti'tis), n. 
[NL., < spermatocystis + -iiis.] Inflammation 
of the seminal vesicles. 
spermatocytal (sper"ma-to-sl'tal), a. [< sper- 
matocyte + -al.] Of or pertaining to sperma- 
tocytes ; of the nature of a spermatocvte. 
spermatocyte (sper'ma-to-sit), n. [< NL. sper- 
matium + Gr. KjVof, a follow: see eyte.] 1. In 
bot., the mother-cell of a spermatozooid. 
The protoplasm in each of the two cells of the antherid- 
ium [in Salvinia] contracts and by repeated bipartition di- 
vides into four roundish primordial cells (spennatocytes), 
each of which produces a spermatozoid. 
Goebel, Special Morphology of Plants (trans.), p. 230. 
2. The cell whose nuclear chromatin and cell- 
protoplasm become respectively the head and 
tail of the spermatozoon: synonymous with 
spermatoblast. Flemming. 
These spermatocytei may either all develop into sper- 
matozoa (Mammals), or a single spermatocyte may become 
modified as a basilar cell (Plagiostome Fishes), or a num- 
ber may form an envelope or cyst around the others (Am- 
phibians and Fishes). Encyc. Brit., XX. 412. 
spermatogemma (sper"ma-to-jem'a), .; pi. 
spertnatnnemmte (-e). [NL., < Gr. oTr?p/ia(r-), 
seed, + 'gemma, a bud.] A mass of spermato- 
cytes ; a multinuclear spermatic cyst ; a kind of 
