370 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. V, October, 1951 
of this wall increases as this portion of the 
tube is traversed, but the diameter of the 
spermatophoric tube remains constant as the 
enlarged vas deferens is traversed. There is no 
evidence that the enlarged vas deferens of 
Fanulirus penicillatus contributes to the for- 
mation of the spermatophoric wall. 
The hyaline line of the enlarged vas defer- 
ens is associated with a highly glandular 
typhlosole-like structure. This ‘hyphlosole” 
produces the bulk of the homogeneous ma- 
trix which surrounds the continuous sperma- 
tophoric tube. By contraction of the muscular 
walls of both vas deferens, the spermato- 
phoric mass is exuded. 
The spermatophoric mass placed on the 
sternum of a mature female exhibits a certain 
bilateral symmetry showing that both the 
right and left testes and vasa deferentia con- 
tribute in its formation. This mass consists of 
two main components: a continuous, highly 
convoluted tube — the spermatophore proper 
— and a putty-like matrix in which the sper- 
matophore is embedded. The spermatophoric 
mass artificially placed on the sternum of a 
female hardens and darkens slightly within an 
hour, but even after 14 days this darkening 
progresses only to a light brown color, with- 
out attaining the hardness or the darkness of 
the spermatophoric mass found deposited 
naturally. 
Whenever the spermatophoric mass is 
found scratched or deeply gouged it proves 
to be devoid of sperm, whereas, if it is found 
intact, viable sperm are present. Thus, a 
mechanical method of scratching or gouging 
the spermatophoric mass for the liberation of 
the spermatozoa rather than by chemical 
dissolution is proposed for 'Panulirus penicil- 
latus (Oliver). This method provides ample 
sperm during ovulation and precludes the 
probability of internal fertilization. 
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