284 MK. NEWPORT ON THE IMPREGNATION OF THE OVUM IN THE AMPHIBIA 
The general conclusions deducible from these observations, with reference to the 
nature of the influence of the spermatozoon in impregnation, seemed to be, that 
as water which holds in suspension or solution any chemical substance, conveys some 
portion of that substance at all times, with great rapidity, to the immediate ncinity 
of the yelk itself, which becomes affected by it, and especially so at the time of its 
first coming into contact with the envelopes of the newly deposited egg, -the sub- 
stance of the spermatozoon also, if diffused in water, might be so conveyed, in the 
experiments proposed. In addition to this conclusion, there are others, which, 
although less directly connected with the object in view, are not less important. 
Thus it appears that an alkaline fluid, in large quantity, is as injurious to the vitality 
and fecundatory influence of the spermatozoon as to the fertility of the egg. 
Trituratimi Experirnmts.—'lhe endeavour in these experiments was to put to the 
test the question proposed in the preceding observations,-whether, if the sperma- 
tozoon be reduced to a state of diffluence in water quickly after it has left the bo y 
of the Frog, and before it can reasonably be supposed that any change in the chemical 
constituents of its body has taken place, the egg can be fecundated through simple 
imbibition of the substance of the spermatozoon, conveyed to the vicinity of the yelk 
with the water during endosraosis, at the time when endosmosis of the envelopes of 
the eg-ff is most energetic ? • a a 
Although it had been constantly found, both by the authorities before cited, and 
since by myself, that when the spermatozoon has ceased to move, and is believe 
to be dead, no impregnation results from the contact of its motionless body with 
the egg ; vet there still appeared to remain some doubt as to what this want ot 
operation is then due; whether it is to be attributed to the organic death and 
incipient decomposition of the body, or whether to the loss or suspension ot some 
power which is characterized by motion, and through which its function is exercised? 
The following experiments, with reference to this question, were commenced before 
I was aware of the fact that the spermatozoon penetrates into the envelopes ot the 
egg ; a fact which, when known, seemed further to necessitate the inquiry, as probably 
tending to show whether impregnation is merely the result of a union of the sub- 
stance of the spermatozoon with that of the yelk or its vesicle ; or whether it be not 
primarily due to the transmission of some dynamic influence, force, or peculiar 
vitalizing power from the spermatozoon to the egg at the time of, or previous to any 
fusion with it of its material substance. 
The first experiments were made by breaking down the bodies of the speimatozoa 
mixed with water, and, after filtration, applying the filtered liquid directly to the 
egg ; the following being the method pursued ^ 
The bottom and sides of a very small glass mortar, and the glass pest e emp oye 
with it were ground together with fine sand and water, for the purpose of slightly 
roughening their surfaces, and of ensuring their contact at every part, and thus 
to render the crushing of the spermatozoa more certain. 
