The works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 (of 4) : $b Separate memoirsBalfour, Francis M. (Francis Maitland)
Science
The works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 1 (of 4) : $b Separate memoirs
Balfour, Francis M. (Francis Maitland)
Embryology; Zoology
My observations shew that the segmental duct is developed in the way just
described in both Pristiurus and Torpedo. Its origin in Pristiurus is shewn
in the adjoining woodcut, and in Torpedo in Pl. 11, fig. 7, _sd_.
At a stage somewhat older than I, the condition of the segmental duct has
not very materially altered. It has increased considerably in length, and
the knob at its front end is both absolutely smaller, and also consists of
fewer cells than before (Pl. 11, fig. 7, _sd_). These cells have become
more columnar, and have begun to arrange themselves radially; thus
indicating the early appearance of the lumen of the duct. The cells forming
the front part of the rod, as well as those of the knob, commence to
exhibit a columnar character, but in the hinder part of the rod the cells
are still rounded. In no part of it has a lumen appeared.
At this period also the knob, partly owing to the commencing separation of
the muscle-plate from the remainder of the mesoblast, begins to pass
inwards and approach the pleuro-peritoneal cavity.
At the same stage the first not very distinct traces of the remainder of
the urinary system become developed. These appear in the form of solid
outgrowths from the intermediate cell-mass just at the most dorsal part of
the body-cavity.
The outgrowths correspond in numbers with the vertebral segments, and are
at first quite disconnected with the segmental duct. At this stage they are
only distinctly visible in the first few segments behind the front end of
the segmental duct. A full description of them will come more conveniently
in the next stage.
By a stage somewhat earlier than K important changes have taken place in
the urinary system.
The segmental duct has acquired a lumen in its anterior portion, which
opens at its front end into the body-cavity. (Pl. 11, fig. 9, _sd._) The
lumen is formed by the columnar cells spoken of in the last stage,
acquiring a radiating arrangement round a central point, at which a small
hole appears. After the lumen has once become formed, it rapidly increases
in size.
The duct has also grown considerably in length, but its hind extremity is
still as thin, and lies as close to the epiblast, as at first. The
segmental involutions which commenced to be formed in the last stage, have
now appeared for every vertebral segment along the whole length of the
segmental duct, and even for two or three segments behind this.
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