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
This group, under which I include the Trematodes, Cestodes,
Turbellarians and Nemertines, has played an important part in all
controversies relating to the nature and composition of the ovum. The
peculiarity in the development of the ovum in most members of this
group consists in the fact that two organs assist in forming what is
usually spoken of as the ovum. One of these is known as the ovary
proper, and the other as the vitellarium or yolk-gland. In the sequel
the term ovum will be restricted to the product of the first of these
organs. In Trematodes the ovary forms an unpaired organ directly
continuous with an oviduct into which there open the ducts from paired
yolk-glands.
The ovary has a sack-like form and contains in some instances a
central lumen (Polystomum integerrimum). At the blind end of the organ
is placed the germinal tissue. This part is, according to the accounts
of the majority of investigators, formed of a polynuclear mass of
protoplasm not divided into distinct cells. Whether it is really
formed of undivided protoplasm or not, it is quite certain that a
little lower down in the organ distinct cells are found, which have
been segmented off from the above mass, and are formed of a large
nucleus and nucleolus, surrounded by a delicate layer of protoplasm.
These cells are the young ova. They usually assume a more or less
angular form from mutual pressure, and, in the cases where the ovary
has a lumen, constitute a kind of epithelial lining for the ovarian
tube. They become successively larger in passing down the ovary, and,
though in most cases naked, are in some instances (Polystomum
integerrimum) invested by a delicate vitelline membrane. Eventually
the ova pass into the oviduct and become free and at the same time
assume a spherical form.
In the oviduct the ovum receives somewhat remarkable investing
structures, derived from the organ before spoken of as the yolk-gland.
The yolk-gland consists of a number of small vesicles, each provided
with a special duct, connected with the main duct of the gland. Each
vesicle is lined by an epithelium of cells provided with doubly
contoured membranes, and containing nuclei.
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