42 Copulation in Ticks 
after two or three minutes, they are finally withdrawn and the male 
abandons the female. 
The ventral surface of the female is found bathed with coxal secre¬ 
tion, the depression about the vulva has disappeared, and the collapsed 
spermatophore is found attached to the vulva with its neck pushed into 
the vagina. The whole process of copulation lasts about 15 minutes from 
the moment that the male inserts his mouthparts for the first time. 
The spermatophore, immediately after it has been expelled by the 
male, appears as a smooth, glistening, very flexible body completely 
filled with slightly milky contents. (On one occasion when the male 
was disturbed and the spermatophore was found doubled up on the 
venter of the female, the spermatophore literally shot out its long thin 
neck when touched with a fine camel’s hair brush in the effort to remove 
it uninjured.) The end of the neck of the spermatophore appears 
closed and rounded, whereas the expanded portion of the spermato¬ 
phore is usually bilobed. When the ticks separate without interference 
the spermatophore neck appears shorter and the flask collapsed, and 
somewhat spoon-shaped with the concavity on the side where the male’s 
body had rested upon it whilst in coitu. The neck of the spermatophore 
is firmly attached within the vagina and force is required to remove it; 
on seizing the spermatophore with a fine forceps the female can be lifted 
by it without rupturing the structure. On exerting more force the neck 
of the flask tears loose at the point of entrance into the vagina and the 
“ mouth ” of the spermatophore appears spread out and frayed. The full 
spermatophore is crowded with “ prospermiums ” and secretion rich in 
granules; when almost collapsed, a few male elements may still be found 
therein. The spermatophore, very soon after coitus has taken place, 
contracts, flattens and hardens, the edges of the “ spoon ” remaining 
upturned. We possess several females in our collection which have 
died or been preserved, with usually one, but at times two or even 
three empty spermatophores still adhering. The flask-like covering of 
the spermatophore is exceedingly tough, and tested with 10 "/o caustic 
potash, it is found to be composed of chitin. The freshly expelled 
spermatophore, with fully extended neck, measures about 3 to 3‘5 mm. 
in length and about 1‘7 mm. in width at the widest part. When dried 
and attached to a female, to whom it may remain attached for some 
days, or even for weeks, it measures about 1'6 mm. in length. 
Although there are several points still to be elucidated with regard 
to this interesting process, we consider that what we have observed 
explains in the main how coitus takes place. The introduction of 
