Spermatophoric Mass of the Lobster — MATTHEWS 
363 
geneous mass of primary spermatocytes, in 
Figure 5 the follicle is filled with a hetero- 
geneous assortment of cells {d^ e, f, h). 
Sections which show the sperm mass in the 
small collecting tubules are likewise en- 
countered throughout the length of the tes- 
tis. A longitudinal section of such a tubule 
(Fig. 6) reveals that a secretion from the 
epithelium (b) also contributes to the con- 
tinuous sperm mass. Long, fibril-like struc- 
tures (c) are clearly seen, the longitudinal 
axes of which are parallel to the flow of the 
sperm mass. The metamorphosing sperma- 
tids (d) are clumped in rather definite areas 
and the remainder of the sperm mass (e) is 
scattered indiscriminately. Sections through- 
out the testis reveal that these tubules 
coalesce with other similar tubules. 
However, sections taken through the re- 
gions of the mid- testis (Figs. 2e, ^d), with 
the follicles and tubules already referred to, 
reveal a quite different tube. As indicated by 
the reconstruction, this tube (Fig. 3c) is 
formed by the juncture of the racemose 
Fig. 6. Camera lucida drawing of a small portion of 
testis (slightly posterior of Fig. 2e) showing tubule in 
longitudinal section, a, Connective tissue; b, semini- 
ferous epithelium; c, Sertoli fibrils; d, developing 
spermatids; e, degenerating primary spermatocytes. 
(75X) 
anterior and posterior portions of the testis, 
and this highly contorted tube courses 
throughout a considerable length of the 
testis (Fig. 3^). In many specimens this tube 
often extends farther posteriorly than an- 
teriorly. Figure 7 represents a cross section 
through this tube. The greater portion of the 
epithelium (/) is located in glands embedded 
in the wall of the tube. These glands open 
into the lumen (c) of the tube. The epithelial 
cells average 43 microns in length and, 
throughout the entire region, secrete both a 
mucus-like substance and a granular or 
crystalline substance {b). These ''crystals,” 
observed under oil immersion magnification, 
averaged 1.43 microns in length and were 
roughly hexagonal. Great masses of these 
"crystals” {d) surround the sperm mass (c). 
ANATOMY OF THE VAS DEFERENS 
Leading from each testis is a highly convo- 
luted tube, the vas deferens (Fig. id), which. 
Fig. 7. Camera lucida drawing of a portion of the 
testis (Fig. 2c). a, Muscle and underlying connective 
tissue coats; b, crystal-like clumps of material near 
distal margins of epithelium; c, lumen; d, wall of 
spermatophore; e, sperm mass; /, gland embedded in 
wall; g, spermatophoric wall material exuding from 
gland. (65 X) 
