Abstract: In order to prevent the electrodes of the spark plug from becoming wetted with droplets of liquid fuel during low temperature and/or idling operation of the engine in a manner which deteriorates engine stability, the branches of a bifurcate intake passage which cooperates with a dual inlet valve arrangement are arranged to guide the unvaporized liquid fuel into the combustion chamber in a manner which obivates contact with the plug. In some embodiments a passage which is adapted to produce a swirl in the combustion chamber is arranged so that the fuel which passes therethrough (usually in the form of a film on the walls of branches) and which has a relatively large inertia as compared with the gaseous charge, enters the combustion chamber with a velocity which carries it along a flight path non-intersective with the plug electrodes.