32 
Fig. 8. A cross section through the vas deferens in 
the region indicated by c of Figure 2. a. Crypt-like 
fold of the epithelium; b, spermatids; c, secondary 
spermatocytes; d, capsule secretion; e, primary sper- 
matocytes. (106X.) 
of a thin muscular and connective tissue layer 
(c), and a thin layer of epithelium {d). In 
Figure 8 the spermatophoric capsule is being 
laid down by a secretion {d) of the crypt-like 
folds of the epithelium id)- It is significant 
that spermatogenesis is taking place. Primary 
spermatocytes (^), secondary spermatocytes 
(c), and spermatids ih) are clearly discernible. 
Figure 9, a cross section through the vas 
deferens in the region indicated by a of Figure 
3, shows the secretion of the sheath {h) around 
the already encapsulated ampulla (c). 
Figure 10 is a stereogram of the vas deferens 
through the region indicated by d of Figure 
1. The ampullae {a) are "elevated” and the 
already twisted connecting ribbon-like sheaths 
are entwined The matrix (c), the copious 
secretion of the typhlosole id), has forced the 
spermatophores to lie opposite the hyaline 
line {e). 
Figure 11 is a drawing of a portion of a 
female sternum {a) and a partially dissected 
spermatophoric mass. The hard, darkened 
outer portion of the matrix {h) envelops the 
less hardened matrix (r) which contains the 
ampullae {d) attached to doubly twisted 
peduncles. 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. VIII, January, 1954 
The undifferentiated sperm mass emanates 
from the testis probably because of the con- 
tinuous activity of the germinal epithelium 
lining the sacculi. In the proximal portion of 
the vas deferens, not more than 4 or 5 milli- 
meters long, this undifferentiated spermato- 
genic material is both moved along and 
molded into a continuous moniliform mass, 
presumably by the muscular contractions of 
the wall. In this same region of the vas defer- 
ens the crypt-like folds of the epithelium 
produce a secretion which forms the thick 
capsules of the now distinct ampullae. 
As the encapsulated ampullae traverse the 
vas deferens, the epithelium produces another 
secretion, the sheath, which both surrounds 
the already encapsulated ampullae and fills 
the intervening spaces. Less than 1 centimeter 
of the proximal vas deferens is traversed be- 
fore the portions of this sheath lying between 
adjacent ampullae are compressed into a thin, 
delicate ribbon, probably by contractions of 
the wall of the vas deferens. Because of the 
immobility of the dissected vas deferens, the 
process was not observed. 
The chalazal twisting of the connecting 
ribbons probably is due to the rotations of the 
a 
Fig. 9. A cross section through the vas deferens in 
the region indicated by a of Figure 3. a. Epithelium; 
b, sheath secretion which surrounds the encapsulated 
ampullae; c, capsule. (125 X.) 
