Female (Fig. H. 14)

The trad comprises a pair of ovaries and oviducts leading to the cloaca. However, in many species it is only the left side that it is fully developed and func­tional. the right side being vestigial. Ova develop within the ovarian tissue and consist of an oocyte and

The ovum is carried away down the left oviduct by perislaltIc contractions. The oviduct is divided into dis­tinct regions, each one of which contributes to the final egg:

1. Uifuiidibidiun - the funnel-shaped end of the oviduct which engulfs the ovum, preventing it from falling into the body cavity. Fertilisation takes place here and the Iirst layer of albumen is added.