Spermatophoric Mass of the Rock Lobster • — Matthews 
33 
ampullae as the coils of the proximal region 
of the vas deferens are traversed. The "draw- 
ing together” of the ampullae probably is also 
the result of the shortening of the ribbons due 
to this twisting. Moreover, the entwining of 
the already twisted ribbons to form the stalk 
or peduncle is also a result of this process. 
The secretion of the typhlosole now sur- 
rounds the already formed spermatophores 
and by its accumulation forces the continu- 
ous, pedunculate spermatophores against the 
wall of the vas deferens opposite the hyaline 
line. 
As the spermatophores traverse and finally 
accumulate in the enlarged distal portion of 
the vas deferens, the process of spermato- 
genesis is completed. The primary spermato- 
cytes have undergone two successive divi- 
sions, and the spermatids have metamor- 
phosed into mature spermatozoa. 
It is at this stage of development that the 
spermatophoric mass is placed on the sternum 
of the female and, as described by Andrews 
{op. cit.), darkens and hardens when it is ex- 
posed to sea water. The dissected spermato- 
phoric mass reveals not a series of tubular 
cavities but a continuous thread-like ribbon 
(or two ribbons if both vasa deferentia have 
participated) from which the pedunculate 
spermatophores extend. 
Fig. 10. Stereogram of the vas deferens in the region 
indicated by d of Figure 1. a, "Elevated” ampullae; 
b, entwined, twisted ribbons; c, matrix; d, typhlosole; 
e, hyaline line. (25 X.) 
Fig. 11. a partially dissected spermatophoric mass 
taken from the sternum of the female, a. Portion of 
sternum; b, hard, dark portion of matrix; c, soft, light 
portion of matrix; d, ampullae attached to doubly 
twisted peduncles. (3.5 X.) 
It should be recalled that only one female 
was observed which possessed the spermato- 
phoric mass. The actual process of sperm 
liberation was not observed, but the scratched, 
hardened matrix, together with the special- 
ized claws {vide Andrews, op. cit.), suggest a 
mechanical method. 
The results of this investigation may lead 
to speculations on the systematic position of 
the Scyllaridae. Although the spermatophores 
of Parribacus antarcticus are intermediate be- 
tween those of the nonpedunculate spermato- 
phores of a palinurid {Panulirus penicillatus) 
and the pedunculate spermatophores of a 
pagurid {Dard-anus asper), an inference that 
Parribacus antarcticus is intermediate between 
these forms is not warranted. Anatomical, em- 
bryological, and serological evidence should 
accompany such spermatophoric evidence, 
and this should be drawn from many species 
representing many genera. 
The present study on the spermatophores 
of P. antarcticus should serve to question the 
interpretation placed on the function of the 
peduncle. The origin of the seemingly sig- 
nificant peduncle may have been only the 
fortuitous occurrence of mechanical and phy- 
siological activities of the vas deferens with 
little regard for the elevation of the ampullae 
and the subsequent dispersal of the sperma- 
tozoa. Certainly, in P. antarcticus the peduncle 
serves no such useful purpose, inasmuch as 
the hard enveloping matrix prevents the am- 
pullae from being held "aloft.” 
