24 
Transactions Texas Academy of Science. 
I. OBSERVATIONS. 
1. Holbrookia texana. (Pl. IV., Fig. 16.) 
(a) male. 
The specimen dissected was in fresh condition and was of average 
size ; measuring from the tip of the snout to the vent 5.5cm. 
The testes (T) are two large bodies lying close to the dorsal wall 
of the body cavity. They are supported by two folds of peritoneum 
(M). The right one is invariably placed more anterior than the left. 
They are approximately equal in size, each measuring about 5mm. 
by 3mm. and their long axes are nearly parallel with the long axis 
of the body. Through the creamy white sheath, which forms the ex- 
terior portion of the testicle, the windings of the seminiferous tubules 
can be plainly seen. 
The spermaducts (Vd) are rather thick walled tubes which are 
very much convoluted in the region of the testes. Each arises from 
a fan-like formation of collecting tubules (vasa efferentia) which 
depart from the anterior ends of the testes. The number of these 
tubules could not be accurately determined, but was approximated 
as being six or eight. The straight enlarged portion of each sperma- 
duct runs along the ventral surface of the kidneys and then enlarges 
into a small bladder-like formation which may well be called the 
seminal vesticle (Sv.). The ureter joins the spermaduct just pos- 
terior to the seminal vesicle, and the two have a common opening into 
the cloaca on a small papilla (G. ap.) just behind the sphinter muscle. 
The kidneys (K.) are, in fresh condition, pink colored bodies ly- 
ing side by side close to the dorsal wall. Their anterior ends are en- 
tirely separated, and, although not divided into separate lobes, there 
can be seen slight demarcations on their surface which shows that 
there is a tendency toward a separation into lobes. The posterior 
ends are closely applied to each other. Each of them tapers to a 
point a short distance behind the anus. The entire length of the 
kidney is about 10mm. and the greatest width about 2mm. Approxi- 
mately one-fifth of the kidney lies behind the anus. 
The ureters (Ur.) are small tubes extending along the ventral sur- 
face of the kidneys just median to the spermaducts. They join the 
spermaducts just before the latter open into the cloaca, as has al- 
ready been mentioned. The ureters give off branches at fairly regu- 
lar intervals as they pass over the surface of the kidneys, and the 
extreme anterior ends branch out dendritically. 
In this species there is no urinary bladder. 
The adrenals were found to be present in all the specimens exam- 
ined. They are small irregular bodies which lie imbedded in the 
