608 
ME. LUBBOCK ON THE GENEEATB^E OEGANS, AND 
spermatozoa. These bodies are probably analogous to the vesicles which in the sper- 
matic sacs of some Entomostraca surround the filiform spermatozoa ; and the function 
which is ascribed to the latter, namely, that of imbibing moisture and so expelling the 
filiform spermatozoa, may also perhaps belong to the former. Nevertheless one cannot 
but be struck with the fact, that they exactly resemble in shape the elliptic bodies which 
arc found in the testis and spermatheca of Chelifer, and which cannot have any such 
function. In the present species, however, as above mentioned, the elliptic vesicles do 
not appear to find their way into the spermathecse. 
M. Fabee, to whose excellent paper I have already so often alluded, made, with 
reference to some Chilopods, the very curious observation that the male spins a sort of 
nest, or rather web of silk, and deposits in the middle a drop of semen. He has not 
actually observed that the genus Orypto^s has this extraordinary habit, but he thinks it 
probable. From the fact that the two spermathecee of the female Cryptops generally 
contain spermatozoa, it would seem that the females must have the scarcely less remark- 
able instinct to Hsit these nests, and in some manner absorb the contents into their 
vagina. 
I find much difficulty in imagining how, under Mr. Dakwin’s theory, such habits as 
these can have originated. It is easy enough to understand how they can continue 
when they have once existed long enough to harden into an instinct ; but I do not under- 
stand how they can have begun. It may be hoped, however, that we shall find among 
other M 5 Tiapods some species with less abnormal habits, or that in some other manner 
new light may be throum on the matter. 
Geophilidae. 
Arthronomahis^ (Plate XVI. figs. 16, 17, 18). — In this genus the form of the ovary 
resembles that of Cryptops ; the eggs, however, are less elongated. The smallest egg- 
germs were about xcnroth of an inch in diameter, and consisted of a macula, which was 
often double, a Purkinjean vesicle, and apparently a vitelline membrane. In all proba- 
bility, however, no such membrane is present. 
It seemed to me also that in Arthronomalus the young egg-germs were not enclosed 
m any separate follicle, though on the larger eggs the usual epithelial layer could be 
seen. The macula in eggs a little more advanced was, as far as my observations went, 
never multiple, and resembled therefore in this point Cryptops rather than lAthohius. 
In the eggs of Arthronomalus the vitelline vesicle is particularly distinct ; it camiot, 
however, be perceived until about the period when the yelk begins to become opake ; at 
this stage, however, it makes its appearance, and almost always contains a few globules. 
Indeed, when only a few yelk-globules are present, they generally all lie in the vitelline 
vesicle. Plate XVI. fig. 17 represents an egg with a Purkinjean vesicle and spot, and 
at a this curious body, which I may perhaps calk the vitelline vesicle. I cannot term 
* I examined some specimens of A. longicornis, and also some which had the antennae nearer together, 
with about sixty -eight pairs of legs.. 
