26 
THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
these vessels contained in the renal cavity is covered by the spongy body (Fig. S, iv) 
which constitutes the excretory epithelium of the kidneys. 
The two anterior renal orifices are situated on both sides of the anus (to the left 
between this last and the genital opening, Fig. R, ix); they are sessile, but surrounded 
by a prominent cushion. 
The reno-pericardial orifice is near the external renal opening ; it is found more 
laterally than the latter (Fig. S, x) upon the ventral 
face of the renal cavity leading into a reno-pericardial 
tube (Fig. T, ii), applied to this latter, obliquely 
transverse, and directed latero-posteriorly, at the 
same time enlarging. By analogy with what exists 
in the other Dibranchiates, we would suppose that 
this tube is continuous with the viscero-pericardial 
cavity, but in the Spirula reticulata examined that 
could not be actually demonstrated, the dissection 
Fig. T. —Transverse section of the external renal 
aperture of Spirula reticulata; x 40. i, ex¬ 
ternal renal aperture ; ii, reno-pericardial duct; 
iii, aperture of the reno-pericardial duct ; iv, 
renal cavity. 
having been already carried too far from other points of view. 
YI. Reproductive System. 
1. Sexes. —The Challenger specimen, the “Blake” specimen and that from Pro¬ 
fessor Giard, were females, so that of the six individuals examined up to the present 
time from this point of view five were females (Blainville, Owen 1879, Challenger, 
“ Blake,” Giard) and only one male (Owen 1880). It is then very probable that 
in Spirula there is hyperpolygeny as in the other Cephalopods with non-autotomic 
hectocotyle. 
2. Ovary. —The ovary occupies the greater part of the right half of the viscero- 
pericardial cavity (PI. I. fig. 6 ; PI. IV. fig. l), and, in the Spirula reticulata examined, 
it even invades in part, in front of the shell and at the back of the heart, the left half of 
this cavity. It is attached at the postero-external (right) side of the stomach properly 
so-called or cardiac sac (PI. YI. fig. 2), as in the Ommatostrephidse for example. 1 It 
rises from the coelomic wall (or “ peritoneum ”) by a fold, which forms for it a peduncle 
and encloses the blood-vessels, upon which the ovary forms a sort of cluster (for the eggs, 
see further on : laying). 
3. Oviduct. —The oviduct is situated to the left 2 and there occupies the greater part of 
the ventral region of the posterior half of the body in Spirula peronii (PI. IV. fig. 3, ov.), 
as well as in Spirula reticulata (Fig. R, v). In the two specimens examined it was 
1 Contrary to what Owen says (op. cit., p. 12), according to whom the ovary is to the left. 
2 And not at the right, as indicated in the Traite de Zoologie of Claus. 
