________________
Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
227
Types of Fertilization.
Most aquatic animals29 simply liberate their sperm and eggs into the water and their union occurs by chance as suggested by the fact that they are sammūrchimasjivas. “No accessory structures are needed, except the ducts that transport the cells to the outside of their bodies. It is called external fertilization for obvious reasons.”:30 When the development of the fertilized egg takes place out of the female's body, it is called oviparous ( andaja ), when it takes place in the uterus it is called viviparous (jarayuja ) e. g. mammals.
Other animals, especially those living on land,31 have accessory sex organs for transferring the sperm from the body of the male to that of the female, so that fertilization occurs within the latter32. It is called internal fertilization which requires co-operation of the sexes33 and “many species have evolved elaborate patterns of mating behaviour to insure that it takes place."34
As it appears from the study of Jaina Biology, the evolution of instincts for the care of the young has accompanied the evolution of more efficient methods for bringing about fertilization.35 Biology observes that "Fish and amphabia (frog) in general take no care of the developing eggs, and great quantities are laid each year in order that by chance a few will develop. The eggs of reptiles are usually laid in the sand or mud, where they develop without parental care, warmed only by the sun. Birds lay their eggs in nests, and incubate them by sitting
33.
29. Biology, p. 420 Bhagavati, 2.5.105. 30. Pannavana Sutta 1.62 ; Macchá 1 kacchahā 2 gaba 3 magarā 4 su usumārā (fish
tortoises varamidae (Lizards, Reptili ) coscodiles, dolphins), etc. appear to libe
rate their sperm and eg is into the water, 31. Biology, p. 429, 32. Tattvärthadhigama Sūtra II. 34
Cauppayathalayarapancemdiyatirik khajoniyā ya parisaopathalayarapamcemdiyatirik khajoniya ya/" Quadruped - terrestrial five - Sensed lower animals, and terrestrial five sensed animals which move on breasts and arms respectively.
Pannavanā Sutta, 1.69 24. "Te samāsato duvibā pannatta / tamjhā - Sammucchima ya Gabbhavakkartiya
ya", Ibid. 1.75 ; 1.84. Fertilization occurs in the female animals due to the transfer of sperm from the sex organ of the male to that of the female, Tandula Veyaliyā, p. 3; Sūtra r'anga II. 3.56. Gabbhavakkamtiya means that those terrestrial animals are born as a result of internal fertilization which requires the co-operation of both the sexes. The quadrupeds, reptiles, aerial animals have different pattern of matting behaviour.
35.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
