Hermaphrodite

(1) An organism or (2) sexual condition of an organism in which both ovaries and spermaries (testes) are present and functional. This is normally the rule in some Barnacles, some Snails ( Euthyneura ), and many Worms; but rarely if ever are the ova fertilized by sperms from the same parent. Self-fertilization is prevented usually by the fact that the two sorts of germ-cells become mature at different times. Most animals of one sex have a hermaphroditic stage in their development, and thus teratologic ally we may get insects and vertebrates that have one side of the body of one sex and the other of the opposite, due to a lack of harmony in the development; or certain parts of the female sexual system which usually remain rudimentary in the male may become overdeveloped; or the male acce ory organs remain simultaneously rudimentary, and corresponding changes may occur in the female. True hermaphrodites of this cla have both ovaries and testes. If the acce ory organs only are involved, it is a case of false hermaphroditism. Among the Protozoa ( Ciliata ) are certain forms in which mutual copulation takes place, and it was once erroneously believed that the endoplast was the female, the endoplastule the male organ. So that permanent and periodic hermaphrodites among these animals were distinguished according as the nucleolus was permanently present or developed only during copulation. Hermaphroditism is normally never found in higher animals, though rudimentary organs of both sexes are sometimes observed. See CONJUGATION.