The larva continues to grow in length, and the tail becomes further curled round the ventral side of the body within the egg-membrane. Before the tail has nearly reached its full length the test becomes formed as a cuticular deposit of the epiblast cells (O. Hertwig, No. 13, Semper, No. 37). It appears first in the tail and gradually extends till it forms a complete investment round both tail and trunk, and is at first totally devoid of cells. Shortly after the establishment of the test there grow out from the anterior end of the body three peculiar papillæ, developed as simple thickenings of the epidermis. At a later stage, after the hatching of the larva, these papillæ develop glands at their extremities, secreting a kind of glutinous fluid[7]. After these papillæ have become formed cells first make their appearance in the test; and there is simultaneously formed a fresh inner cuticular layer of the test, to which at first the cells are confined, though subsequently they are found in the outer layer also. On the appearance of cells in the test the latter must be regarded as a form, though a very abnormal one, of connective tissue. When the tail of the larva has reached a very considerable length the egg-membrane bursts, and the larva becomes free. The hatching takes place in Asc. canina about 48-60 hours after impregnation. The free larva (fig. 8 V.) has a swollen trunk, and a very long tail, which soon becomes straightened out. It has a striking resemblance to a tadpole (_vide_ fig. 10). [7] It is probable that these papillæ are very primitive organs of the Chordata. Structures, which are probably of the same nature, are formed behind the mouth in the larvæ of Amphibia, and in front of the mouth in the larvæ of Ganoids (Acipenser, Lepidosteus), and are used by these larvæ for attaching themselves. In the free larval condition the Ascidians have in many respects a higher organization than in the adult state. It is accordingly convenient to divide the subsequent development into two periods, the first embracing the stages from the condition represented in fig. 8 V. up to the full development of the free larva, and the second the period from the full development of the larva to the attainment of the fixed adult condition. _Growth and Structure of the free larva._ The nervous system. The nervous system was left as a closed tube consisting of a dilated anterior division, and a narrow posterior one. The former may be spoken of as the brain, and the latter as the spinal cord; although the homologies of these two parts are quite uncertain. The anterior part of the spinal cord lying within the trunk dilates somewhat (fig. 8 V. and VI. _Rg_) and there may thus be distinguished a trunk and a caudal section of the spinal cord. [FIG. 9. LARVA OF ASCIDIA MENTULA. (From Gegenbaur; after Kupffer.) Only the anterior part of the tail is represented.