Darwinism stated by Darwin himself: Characteristic passages from the writings of Charles Darwin — John Shaqi
Darwinism stated by Darwin himself: Characteristic passages from the writings of Charles DarwinDarwin, Charles
Science
Darwinism stated by Darwin himself: Characteristic passages from the writings of Charles Darwin
Darwin, Charles
Evolution (Biology)
So much for the external structure. Internally the lower part of
the utricle is covered with spherical papillæ, formed of four cells
(sometimes eight, according to Dr. Warming), which evidently answer
to the quadrifid processes within the bladders of _Utricularia_.
These papillæ extend a little way up the dorsal and ventral surfaces
of the utricle; and a few, according to Warming may be found in the
upper part. This upper region is covered by many transverse rows,
one above the other, of short, closely approximate hairs, pointing
downward. These hairs have broad bases, and their tips are formed by a
separate cell. They are absent in the lower part of the utricle where
the papillæ abound. The neck is likewise lined throughout its whole
length with transverse rows of long, thin, transparent hairs, having
broad bulbous bases, with similarly constructed sharp points. They
arise from little projecting ridges, formed of rectangular epidermic
cells. The hairs vary a little in length, but their points generally
extend down to the row next below; so that, if the neck is split open
and laid flat, the inner surface resembles a paper of pins--the hairs
representing the pins, and the little transverse ridges representing
the folds of paper through which the pins are thrust. These rows of
hairs are indicated in the previous figure by numerous transverse lines
crossing the neck. The inside of the neck is also studded with papillæ;
those in the lower part are spherical and formed of four cells, as
in the lower part of the utricle; those in the upper part are formed
of two cells, which are much elongated downward beneath their points
of attachment. These two-celled papillæ apparently correspond with
the bifid process in the upper part of the bladders of _Utricularia_.
The narrow transverse orifice is situated between the bases of the
two spiral arms. No valve could be detected here, nor was any such
structure seen by Dr. Warming. The lips of the orifice are armed with
many short, thick, sharply pointed, somewhat incurved hairs or teeth.
The two projecting edges of the spirally-wound lamina, forming the
arms, are provided with short incurved hairs or teeth, exactly like
those on the lips. These project inward at right angles to the spiral
line of junction between the two edges. The inner surface of the lamina
supports two-celled, elongated papillæ, resembling those in the upper
part of the neck, but differing slightly from them, according to
Warming, in their footstalks being formed by prolongations of large
epidermic cells; whereas the papillæ within the neck rest on small
cells sunk amid the larger ones. These spiral arms form a conspicuous
difference between the present genus and _Utricularia_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account