The works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 2 (of 4) : $b A treatise on comparative embryology: InvertebrataBalfour, Francis M. (Francis Maitland)
Science
The works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume 2 (of 4) : $b A treatise on comparative embryology: Invertebrata
Balfour, Francis M. (Francis Maitland)
Embryology; Zoology
In Cerianthus four tentacles are formed simultaneously at the period
when only four chambers are present. In Arachnitis (Edwarsia) the
succession of the tentacles is stated (A. Agassiz, 166) to resemble
that in Cerianthus. There are originally four tentacles, and at one
extremity of the long axis of the mouth are the oldest tentacles,
while at the other tentacles are constantly added in pairs. An odd
tentacle is always found at the extremity of the mouth opposite the
oldest tentacles.
In the other species with an embolic gastrula eight tentacles would
seem to appear simultaneously at the period when eight chambers are
present; though on this point Kowalevsky's description is not very
clear. The presence of such a stage would seem to indicate a close
affinity to the Alcyonidæ.
Amongst the sclerodermatous Actinozoa, except Caryophyllium, the
embryo closely resembles that of the delaminate Malacodermata. The
first stages occur in the ovary, and the larva is dehisced into the
body cavity as a two-layered ciliated planula.
The laws affecting the formation of the first twelve tentacles and
septa appear to be nearly the same as for the Malacodermata. The hard
parts begin as a rule to be formed when twelve tentacles have
appeared, at which period also the fixation of the larva takes place.
On fixation the larva becomes very much flattened.
The first parts of the corallum to appear are twelve of the septa,
which arise simultaneously in folds of the enteric wall in the
chambers _between the mesenteries_, and correspond therefore with
the tentacles and not, as might be supposed, with the mesenteries.
Each septum is formed by the coalescence of three calcareous plates
which originate in separate centres of calcification. The concrescence
of the three produces a Y-shaped plate with the single limb directed
inwards and the two limbs outwards (fig. 81). The theca does not arise
till after the septa have become formed, and is at first a somewhat
membranous cup quite distinct from the septa. The columella is formed
still later by the coalescence of a series of nodules which are formed
in a central axis enclosed by the inner ends of the septa.
[FIG. 81. LARVA OF ASTROIDES CALYCULARIS SHORTLY AFTER IT HAS BECOME
ATTACHED. (After Lacaze Duthiers.)
The figure shews the development of the Y-shaped septa in the
intervals between the mesenteries. The position of the latter is
indicated by the faint shading. The theca has become developed
externally.]
After the formation of the theca the septa become divided into two
cycles by the predominant growth of six of them. On the coalescence of
the septa with the theca the space between the two limbs of the Y
becomes filled up with calcareous tissue. The law of the formation of
the third cycle of septa (12-24) has not been worked out, so that it
is not possible to state whether it follows the peculiar principles
regulating the growth of the tentacles.
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