C. Hay Murray 
313 
Reproductive System. 
The reproductive organs of the male bug consist of testes, vasa 
deferentia, vesiculae seminales, accessory glands with their reservoirs, 
ductus ejaculatorius and the penis (Fig. 36). With the exception of 
the ejaculatory duct and penis all the foregoing are duphcate, so a 
description of one side suffices. The testes consist of seven large 
translucent white folhcles in one plane united into a single mass, abun¬ 
dantly supphed \vith tracheae. In section these follicles give much 
the same appearance as would the section of a raspberry, were each 
drupe to have the same structure as the raspberry. All these open 
into the thin, short, uncoiled vas deferens which enlarges to form the 
vesicula seminalis. Usually this is quite tightly packed with sperms. 
At its base and to the outside is the accessory gland reservoir, which 
is a small pouch at whose distal end is the accessory gland itself. This 
consists of several branched filaments whose walls are composed of 
very glandular cells. Their function is supposed to be the supply of 
mucus which is mixed vdth the sperms as the latter are discharged. 
Next comes the ductus ejaculatorius, which is a median spherical-shaped 
portion into which the two halves of the reproductive glands open separ¬ 
ately. From it rises a very short duct opening into the proximal end 
of the penis. This is a very strong hollow chitinous organ placed 
asymmetrically in the bug and pointing to the left. Usually it is carried 
concealed in a recess in the anal segment, but it is often seen slightly 
protruded. 
The penis is curved in a horizontal plane, and ends distally in a 
blunt point, while at the proximal end it terminates in a manner which 
recalls the appearance of the shoulder articulation of the humerus. 
Normally it points forwards and to the left, the tip being the only 
portion usually visible. In its substance there are two parallel passages 
arranged (Fig. 37). Of these the inner one is open along its length 
and strongly suggests the poison fang of some snakes. Along this 
almost closed groove the sperms pass. The outer passage is a pro¬ 
longation of the body cavity, such as we find in the maxillae and 
mandibles. 
Since the penis is a lateral organ, the position during copulation is 
such as we would expect to find, namely that the long axis of the male 
bug is at an angle to that of the female. This is shown diagrammatically 
in Fig. 38. 
The female bed bug would seem to lay comparatively few eggs. 
Parasitology vii 
21 
