The works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 2 (of 4) : $b A treatise on comparative embryology: InvertebrataBalfour, Francis M. (Francis Maitland)
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The works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 2 (of 4) : $b A treatise on comparative embryology: Invertebrata
Balfour, Francis M. (Francis Maitland)
Embryology; Zoology
The infusoriform embryos originate from germs, which have however a
different origin to the germs of the vermiform embryos. One to five
cells appear in the axial hypoblast cell, in a way not clearly
made out, and each of them gives rise by an endogenous process to
several generations of cells, all of which develop into infusoriform
embryos.
[FIG. 62. INFUSORIFORM EMBRYO OF DICYEMA.
A. B. C. Three of the later stages in the development.
D. E. F. Three different views of the full-grown larva. D. from the
front, E. from the side, and F. from above.
G. side view of urn.
_u._ wall of urn; _l._ lid of urn; _r._ refractive bodies; _gr._
granular bodies filling the interior of the urn.]
The primitive cell is called by Van Beneden a Germogen. In its
protoplasm a number of germs first appear endogenously, but the
nucleus of the germogen does not assist in their formation. They
eventually become detached from the parent cell, around which they are
concentrically arranged. A second and then a third generation of germs
are formed in the same way, till the whole of the protoplasm of the
primitive cell is absorbed in the formation of these germs, and
nothing of it remains but the nucleus. The germs so formed are
arranged in about three concentric layers, of which the innermost is
the youngest. One to five masses of germs may be present in a single
Rhombogen. The germs undergo a division, in the course of which their
nuclei exhibit very beautifully a spindle modification. In the course
of the segmentation the embryo gradually assumes its permanent form,
and four of the cells composing it can be distinguished from the
remainder by their greater size (fig. 62 A, _u_). The two largest
of these give rise to the wall of the urn, and also give origin to
four smaller cells (fig. 62 B, _gr_) which eventually become
polynuclear and constitute the four granular cells in the urn. The two
other cells become the lid of the urn. The parts of the urn lie at
first side by side, but in the course of development the cells which
form the wall of the urn travel inwards, and the four granular cells
are carried into their concavity. At the same time the cells which
form the lid of the urn alter their position so as to overlie the wall
of the urn. The two cells immediately above the urn give rise to the
refractive bodies (fig. 62 A, B, C, _r_) and the remainder of the
cells of the embryo become the tail (fig. 62 C). The embryo becomes
ciliated, and attains its nearly full development before leaving the
parental tissues. It usually passes out at the cephalic extremity.
As has already been stated, it is probable that the infusoriform
embryos leave the renal organs of their host and lead a free
existence. What becomes of them afterwards is not however known,
though there can be little doubt that they serve to carry the species
to new hosts.
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