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==CHAPTER VI VASCULAR SYSTEM==
=Chapter VI Vascular System=


As has already been indicated the vascular system of the animal
As has already been indicated the vascular system of the animal body consists of strands of highly specialized niesenchyme——-the cells (corpuscles) along the axes of the strands being detached from one another and Heating freely in a fluid intercellular substance (plasma), while the superficial cells are united together to form the walls of. tubular channels-—~—the vessels. The vessel walls are provided with a coating of muscle-fibres and this muscular coat becomes greatly thickened and specialized at one or more points to form hearts which serve as pumps to force the blood through the system of vessels. '
body consists of strands of highly specialized niesenchyme——-the
cells (corpuscles) along the axes of the strands being detached from
one another and Heating freely in a fluid intercellular substance
(plasma), while the superficial cells are united together to form the
walls of. tubular channels-—~—the vessels. The vessel walls are
provided with a coating of muscle-fibres and this muscular coat
becomes greatly thickened and specialized at one or more points to
form hearts which serve as pumps to force the blood through the
system of vessels. '


The fundamental plan of the Vertebrate vascular system appears
The fundamental plan of the Vertebrate vascular system appears to have been like that of an Annelid worm, with two main longitudinal blood-vessels, situated respectively one on the neural side of the alimentary canal and one on the side opposite to this, connected together by a series of half-hoop shaped vessels encircling the alimentary canal laterally. In the Vertebrate the longitudinal vessel on the neural side of the alimentary canal is the dorsal aorta and in it the blood runs in a tailward direction. The longitudinal vessel on the other (ventral) side of the alimentary canal develops the heart on its course: its precardiac portion is the ventral aorta, its postcardiac the subintestinal vein. In this ventral vessel the blood passes in a headward direction. Half-hoop shaped vessels lying in front of the heart and connecting ventral aorta and dorsal aorta are the aortic arches.
to have been like that of an Annelid worm, with two main longitudinal blood-vessels, situated respectively one on the neural side of
the alimentary canal and one on the side opposite to this, connected
together by a series of half-hoop shaped vessels encircling the
alimentary canal laterally. In the Vertebrate the longitudinal
vessel on the neural side of the alimentary canal is the dorsal
aorta and in it the blood runs in a tailward direction. The longitudinal vessel on the other (ventral) side of the alimentary canal
develops the heart on its course: its precardiac portion is the
ventral aorta, its postcardiac the subintestinal vein. In this
ventral vessel the blood passes in a headward direction. Half-hoop
shaped vessels lying in front of the heart and connecting ventral
aorta and dorsal aorta are the aortic arches.


0 c
0 c YER'1‘EBRA'rEs.— mongst holob as 10 er e rates the first steps in the deve opment of the vessels have been investigated in the Newt (Triton) by Mollier (1906) and his account will here be followed.
YER'1‘EBRA'rEs.— mongst holob as 10 er e rates the first steps in the
deve opment of the vessels have been investigated in the Newt
(Triton) by Mollier (1906) and his account will here be followed.


In an embryo with six mesoderm segments the lateral sheetsof
In an embryo with six mesoderm segments the lateral sheetsof mesoderm have met ventrally except in the region of the liver where they terminate in a free edge. This free edge is thickened and the thickening extends back along the mid-ventral line towards the cloaca as the rudiment of the subintestinal vein—the entire thickening having thus a Y-shape (Fig. 173, A).
mesoderm have met ventrally except in the region of the liver where
they terminate in a free edge. This free edge is thickened and the
thickening extends back along the mid-ventral line towards the
cloaca as the rudiment of the subintestinal vein—the entire
thickening having thus a Y-shape (Fig. 173, A).


360
360 (:11. VI ORIGIN OF THE HEARTANI) VESSIELS 361
(:11. VI ORIGIN OF THE HEARTANI) VESSIELS 361


At a stzigu with ‘twelve segments this Y-shaped vascular rudiment is continued forwards as a couple of strands of cells, lying on
At a stzigu with ‘twelve segments this Y-shaped vascular rudiment is continued forwards as a couple of strands of cells, lying on each side on the inner surface of the splanchnic mesoderm and apparently derived from it. These are destined to give rise in their hinder portions to the two vitelline veins and in their anterior region to the first rudiments of the heart (_ Fig. 17 2, A, (me).
each side on the inner surface of the splanchnic mesoderm and
apparently derived from it. These are destined to give rise in their
hinder portions to the two vitelline veins and in their anterior
region to the first rudiments of the heart (_ Fig. 17 2, A, (me).


At a stage with fifteen segments the paired strands of cells have
At a stage with fifteen segments the paired strands of cells have assumed a disposition like that shown in Fig. 173, B. They approach one another as the mesoderm extends downwards and presently fuse across the mesial plane (Fig. 172, B and O), the fused portion being the rudiment of the heart while the two :1.nteri.or limbs represent the first (mandibular) pair of aortic arches and the two posterior
assumed a disposition like that shown in Fig. 173, B. They approach
one another as the mesoderm extends downwards and presently fuse
across the mesial plane (Fig. 172, B and O), the fused portion being
the rudiment of the heart while the two :1.nteri.or limbs represent
the first (mandibular) pair of aortic arches and the two posterior


FIG. 172.——Ventral portions of transverse sections of young Amphibians to illustrate the
FIG. 172.——Ventral portions of transverse sections of young Amphibians to illustrate the tlcvclopment of the he:u't:.. (R.-is-a_sal on ligln-o_-s by M olli¢_.:r. 1906.)
tlcvclopment of the he:u't:.. (R.-is-a_sal on ligln-o_-s by M olli¢_.:r. 1906.)


A, B, I), E, ’1'*r-Him (A twelve segments, B sixt.oa_-n ¢ln., l) 1.\u-nty «ln., I41 twenty-six do.); (.‘, R--nu.
A, B, I), E, ’1'*r-Him (A twelve segments, B sixt.oa_-n ¢ln., l) 1.\u-nty «ln., I41 twenty-six do.); (.‘, R--nu. a.l.mc, dorsal mesocardium; eat, ectoclernn; rm-, «-mlm-.:n-«lium; mm‘. t'lI(l(Nlt‘l'lll; me, myouardium; mes, mesoderm; pa, pm-icardiac cavity; -v.mn, ventral lIlcs()(‘u.l'Ilillll1.
a.l.mc, dorsal mesocardium; eat, ectoclernn; rm-, «-mlm-.:n-«lium; mm‘. t'lI(l(Nlt‘l'lll; me, myouardium;
mes, mesoderm; pa, pm-icardiac cavity; -v.mn, ventral lIlcs()(‘u.l'Ilillll1.


limbs the vitelline veins. The heart rudiment is at first extremely
limbs the vitelline veins. The heart rudiment is at first extremely short in an antero—posterior direction being much broader than it is long. This is correlated with the shortness of the foregut. As the latter lengthens the heart rudiment keeps pace with it, and becomes elongated (Fig. 173, D). As it does so the tissue within the rudiment becomes loosened and takes the form of a syncytial network with wide meshes. .
short in an antero—posterior direction being much broader than it is
long. This is correlated with the shortness of the foregut. As the
latter lengthens the heart rudiment keeps pace with it, and becomes
elongated (Fig. 173, D). As it does so the tissue within the rudiment becomes loosened and takes the form of a syncytial network
with wide meshes. .


In the meantime the mesoderni on each side, now containing a
In the meantime the mesoderni on each side, now containing a wide coelomic (pericardiac) space, has grown down to the mesial plane ventral to the heart, so as to give rise to a ventral mesocardium which however only persists for a short time (Fig. 172,
wide coelomic (pericardiac) space, has grown down to the mesial
plane ventral to the heart, so as to give rise to a ventral mesocardium which however only persists for a short time (Fig. 172,


C and D, mnc). About this same period fluid begins to collect in.
C and D, mnc). About this same period fluid begins to collect in.


the interstices between the cells of the subintestinal strand, with
the interstices between the cells of the subintestinal strand, with the result that some of the cells in its interior assume a spherical 362 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.
the result that some of the cells in its interior assume a spherical
362 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.


form and are recognizable as embryonic blood eorpnscles. Mollier
form and are recognizable as embryonic blood eorpnscles. Mollier notes that about this stage the subintestinal strand comes into extremely close relation to the yolk—cells, there being in places apparently complete continuity between the two-——hence the conclusion on the part of observers who did not study earlier stages that the vascular strand was actually derived directly from the endoderm.
notes that about this stage the subintestinal strand comes into
extremely close relation to the yolk—cells, there being in places
apparently complete continuity between the two-——hence the conclusion on the part of observers who did not study earlier stages
that the vascular strand was actually derived directly from the
endoderm.


About the stage with sixteen to eighteen segments the rudiments
About the stage with sixteen to eighteen segments the rudiments of the Duct of Guvier and dorsal aorta become apparent, in the form of cells at iirst scattered and later joined into strands. The aorta cells anteriorly often show eonnexions with the sclerotomes and
of the Duct of Guvier and dorsal aorta become apparent, in the form
of cells at iirst scattered and later joined into strands. The aorta
cells anteriorly often show eonnexions with the sclerotomes and


Fm. 173.-——Rongh diagram to illllstl.':1tc the form of the early rudiments of heart, vitel1ine_
Fm. 173.-——Rongh diagram to illllstl.':1tc the form of the early rudiments of heart, vitel1ine_


veins, and -‘x-ul'»intestinnl vein in Triton as seen in plan. A, six mesoderm segment stage;
veins, and -‘x-ul'»intestinnl vein in Triton as seen in plan. A, six mesoderm segment stage; B, fifteen segments; (2, eighteen segments ; l), twenty segments.
B, fifteen segments; (2, eighteen segments ; l), twenty segments.


u..e.l, mandibular aortic arch ; cl, position of clones; H, heart; L, position of liver;
u..e.l, mandibular aortic arch ; cl, position of clones; H, heart; L, position of liver; .~:.-a'..v, subintestzinal vein; -v.-r, vitelline vein.
.~:.-a'..v, subintestzinal vein; -v.-r, vitelline vein.


Mollier admits that some of them may actually be derived from the
Mollier admits that some of them may actually be derived from the sclerotomes (see p. 364) though he considers that the main source of origin is the upper angle of the lateral mesoderm.
sclerotomes (see p. 364) though he considers that the main source of
origin is the upper angle of the lateral mesoderm.


At the stage with twenty segments a network of fine channels
At the stage with twenty segments a network of fine channels has appeared over the surface of the yolk, between it and the mesoderm, foreshadowing the vitelline network of blood-vessels. The subintestinal strand has become still looser in texture and prolongations may be found passing from it inwards amongst the
has appeared over the surface of the yolk, between it and the
mesoderm, foreshadowing the vitelline network of blood-vessels.
The subintestinal strand has become still looser in texture and
prolongations may be found passing from it inwards amongst the


~yolk—cells.' ” The heart has now attained the form of a. straight tube
~yolk—cells.' ” The heart has now attained the form of a. straight tube


the protoplasmic strands in its interior disappearing while its superficial cells take on an endothelial character, and are recognizable as
the protoplasmic strands in its interior disappearing while its superficial cells take on an endothelial character, and are recognizable as the endocardium. The splanchnic mesoderm has become closely moulded round it ventrally and laterally (Fig. 172, D) forming the rudiment of the myocardium and the latter begins to show contractions causing slight movement of the fluid contents of the heart. VI ORIGIN OF THE HEART AND VESSELS 363
the endocardium. The splanchnic mesoderm has become closely
moulded round it ventrally and laterally (Fig. 172, D) forming the
rudiment of the myocardium and the latter begins to show contractions causing slight movement of the fluid contents of the heart.
VI ORIGIN OF THE HEART AND VESSELS 363


By the twenty-seven segment stage the anterior limbs of the
By the twenty-seven segment stage the anterior limbs of the subintestinal strand have become detinite (vitelline) veins with well-defined lumen filled with fluid in which spherical young corpuscles float freely. The large flat cells forming the wall are probably simply the modified superficial cells of the strand though Mollier thinks these may be reinforced by additional mesoderm cells from without. The vitelline veins are continued in front into the posterior venous limbs of the hea.rt and the heart itself is seen in transverse sections (Fig. 172, E) to be now completely enclosed in myocardium, the inner wall of the pericardiac space having become moulded right over its dorsal side. Where the two sheets of mcsoderm, one from each side, have met dorsal to the heart there still persists a septum——the dorsal mesocardium (Fig. 17 2, E, cl.m.<:) which serves to sling up the heart to the ventral side of the foregut.
subintestinal strand have become detinite (vitelline) veins with
well-defined lumen filled with fluid in which spherical young
corpuscles float freely. The large flat cells forming the wall are
probably simply the modified superficial cells of the strand though
Mollier thinks these may be reinforced by additional mesoderm cells
from without. The vitelline veins are continued in front into the
posterior venous limbs of the hea.rt and the heart itself is seen in
transverse sections (Fig. 172, E) to be now completely enclosed in
myocardium, the inner wall of the pericardiac space having become
moulded right over its dorsal side. Where the two sheets of mcsoderm,
one from each side, have met dorsal to the heart there still persists a
septum——the dorsal mesocardium (Fig. 17 2, E, cl.m.<:) which serves
to sling up the heart to the ventral side of the foregut.


The dorsal aorta is at this stage particularly instructive.
The dorsal aorta is at this stage particularly instructive. Posteriorly it is represented by scattered cells, lateral in position, thus betraying their lateral origin. .Further forwards these have approached the mesial plane and form a pair of cellular strands. Further forwards still in the region of the first eight segments—— these have become still more nearly mcsial in position and ever part of their extent have undergone actual fusion to form the unpaired aortic rudiment.
Posteriorly it is represented by scattered cells, lateral in position,
thus betraying their lateral origin. .Further forwards these have
approached the mesial plane and form a pair of cellular strands.
Further forwards still in the region of the first eight segments——
these have become still more nearly mcsial in position and ever
part of their extent have undergone actual fusion to form the
unpaired aortic rudiment.


About this stage the dorsal aortic rudiment is connected up to
About this stage the dorsal aortic rudiment is connected up to the vitelline network by a series of segmentally arranged vessels (segments 5-17) which had made their appearance about the twentysegment stage as segmentally arranged strands of cells.
the vitelline network by a series of segmentally arranged vessels
(segments 5-17) which had made their appearance about the twentysegment stage as segmentally arranged strands of cells.


The rudiments of the ducts of Ouvier make their appearance
The rudiments of the ducts of Ouvier make their appearance even earlier than that of the dorsal aorta, in the form of cells derived according to Mollier from the somatic mesoderm at the cranial side of the pronephros. These rudiments develop extensions iii a headward and in a tailward direction to form the cardinal veins. ’l‘he vessels of the head region develop in situ from the mesenchyme and the same may probably be said of the smaller vessels generally.
even earlier than that of the dorsal aorta, in the form of cells derived
according to Mollier from the somatic mesoderm at the cranial side
of the pronephros. These rudiments develop extensions iii a
headward and in a tailward direction to form the cardinal veins.
’l‘he vessels of the head region develop in situ from the mesenchyme
and the same may probably be said of the smaller vessels generally.


The Crossopterygian fish 1’ol_2/pterus (Graham Kerr, 1907) is,
The Crossopterygian fish 1’ol_2/pterus (Graham Kerr, 1907) is, apart from its generally archaic character, particularly suitable for the study of the first beginnings of the vascular system owing to the fact that the long axis of the embryonic body is straight, so that horizontal as well as sagittal sections may be made passing through practically the whole length of the dorsal aorta during its early stages, when in its hinder portion it has not yet taken definite form.
apart from its generally archaic character, particularly suitable for
the study of the first beginnings of the vascular system owing to the
fact that the long axis of the embryonic body is straight, so that
horizontal as well as sagittal sections may be made passing through
practically the whole length of the dorsal aorta during its early
stages, when in its hinder portion it has not yet taken definite form.


The first conspicuous stage in the development of the dorsal
The first conspicuous stage in the development of the dorsal aorta consists in the collecting together of irregular multinucleate masses of yolky protoplasm in a row beneath the hypochord (Fig. 174, A). Vacuolar spaces develop in these masses and foreshadow the aortic cavity. The masses of protoplasm become more closely aggregated into a cylindrical shape while the vacuolar spaces increase enormously in size and eventually flow together to form the continuous aortic cavity. In the specimen figured in 364 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.
aorta consists in the collecting together of irregular multinucleate
masses of yolky protoplasm in a row beneath the hypochord
(Fig. 174, A). Vacuolar spaces develop in these masses and foreshadow the aortic cavity. The masses of protoplasm become more
closely aggregated into a cylindrical shape while the vacuolar
spaces increase enormously in size and eventually flow together to
form the continuous aortic cavity. In the specimen figured in
364 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.


Fig. 174, B, the cavity was perfectly continuous towards the head
Fig. 174, B, the cavity was perfectly continuous towards the head end, while posteriorly it was still in the form of isolated vacuoles. The cells which form the rudiment of the dorsal aorta are from their coarsely-yolked character clearly derived ultimately from the primitive endoderm, but the question remains whether they are derived from the definitive endoderm directly or through the inter FIG. 174.-—l’m‘fiunH of horizontal sections through I‘ul‘:_/[1/wrI1.s' larv:u+ 0l'.~t1i.ge.s' ‘Z4 + (A) zunl 25 (B) showing the rudiment of the aorta in longitudinal section.
end, while posteriorly it was still in the form of isolated vacuoles.
The cells which form the rudiment of the dorsal aorta are from
their coarsely-yolked character clearly derived ultimately from the
primitive endoderm, but the question remains whether they are
derived from the definitive endoderm directly or through the inter
FIG. 174.-—l’m‘fiunH of horizontal sections through I‘ul‘:_/[1/wrI1.s' larv:u+ 0l'.~t1i.ge.s' ‘Z4 + (A) zunl
25 (B) showing the rudiment of the aorta in longitudinal section.


A, aortic rndinn-nt; m..r..-, vacuole-.~;.
A, aortic rndinn-nt; m..r..-, vacuole-.~;.


mediary of the mesoderm. Such a section as that shown in Fig. 175
mediary of the mesoderm. Such a section as that shown in Fig. 175 indicates that the latter is the case. The definitive endoderm shows a perfectly sharply defined surface, clearly marked off from the aortic rudiment, while the mesoderm of the sclerotome on the other hand is continuous with the aortic rudiment. We may say therefore with high probability that the aortic cells are derived from the sclerotome.
indicates that the latter is the case. The definitive endoderm shows
a perfectly sharply defined surface, clearly marked off from the
aortic rudiment, while the mesoderm of the sclerotome on the other
hand is continuous with the aortic rudiment. We may say therefore
with high probability that the aortic cells are derived from the
sclerotome.


A remarkable feature has been noticed'in the development of the
A remarkable feature has been noticed'in the development of the VI ORIGIN OF DORSAL AORTA IN POLYPTERUS 365
VI ORIGIN OF DORSAL AORTA IN POLYPTERUS 365


dorsal aorta of Polypterus which requires further investigation
dorsal aorta of Polypterus which requires further investigation both in that genus and in any other Vertebrates in which it may be found to occur. In Polypterus in the stage immediately preceding that in which the aortic cells collect together the position of the future aorta is distinctly marked out by the arrangement of the delicate reticulum that is visible connecting up the various organ-rudiments of the larva. This reticulum is usually regarded as an artifact caused by the action of the fixing and preserving solutions upon the albuminous substances contained in the fluids of the embryonic body but the fact that it becomes arranged in this peculiar fashion to._ foreshadow the future aorta at once raises the question whether it is not really a reticulum of living substance.
both in that genus and in any other Vertebrates in which it may
be found to occur. In Polypterus in the stage immediately preceding that in which the aortic cells collect together the position
of the future aorta is distinctly marked out by the arrangement
of the delicate reticulum that is visible connecting up the various
organ-rudiments of the larva. This reticulum is usually regarded
as an artifact caused by the action of the fixing and preserving
solutions upon the albuminous substances contained in the fluids of
the embryonic body but the fact that
it becomes arranged in this peculiar
fashion to._ foreshadow the future
aorta at once raises the question
whether it is not really a reticulum
of living substance.


The aortic cavity in Polypterru-s
The aortic cavity in Polypterru-s has been seen to originate by the fusion of intracellular vacuoles. The cavity is filled with clear fluid and T1 this condition persists even after the main channels of the vascular system are ].aid down. The blood is at first simply fluid or plasma without corpuscles. This plasmatic condition may persist even after circulation has commenced and the heart propels through the vessels simply the clear cell—less fluid. Here we find repeated in ontogeny an extremely archaic condition of the circulation. The Plasma’ beconles peopled with Ifie. ]75.—Portion of transverse section corpuscles comparatively suddenly. through Polyptcms of stage 25
has been seen to originate by the
fusion of intracellular vacuoles. The
cavity is filled with clear fluid and T1
this condition persists even after
the main channels of the vascular
system are ].aid down. The blood is
at first simply fluid or plasma without corpuscles. This plasmatic condition may persist even after circulation has commenced and the heart
propels through the vessels simply
the clear cell—less fluid. Here we find
repeated in ontogeny an extremely
archaic condition of the circulation.
The Plasma’ beconles peopled with Ifie. ]75.—Portion of transverse section
corpuscles comparatively suddenly. through Polyptcms of stage 25


The portions of vessel wall lying “1“;?"i“gt“:f :°1‘;;i°““l°_ft‘1‘° “°'l'°i°
The portions of vessel wall lying “1“;?"i“gt“:f :°1‘;;i°““l°_ft‘1‘° “°'l'°i° external to the lining endothelium rm ""9" (_ ) “C m °me('9°)' appear to arise from mesenchyme W’ °"‘°"“l’,,‘,"“n::Zc‘1,:;;,”d’_""'°t°""" cells.
external to the lining endothelium rm ""9" (_ ) “C m °me('9°)'
appear to arise from mesenchyme W’ °"‘°"“l’,,‘,"“n::Zc‘1,:;;,”d’_""'°t°"""
cells.


SOURCE on THE CORPUSCLES.—'-The blood corpuscles are to
SOURCE on THE CORPUSCLES.—'-The blood corpuscles are to be looked on, broadly speaking, as mesenchyme cells which have lost their connexion with their neighbours and float free
be looked on, broadly speaking, as mesenchyme cells which
have lost their connexion with their neighbours and float free


_in the plasma. Their precise sources in ontogeny ‘appear to be
_in the plasma. Their precise sources in ontogeny ‘appear to be
Line 234: Line 78:
various :—
various :—


(1) They can frequently be seen in process of being budded off by
(1) They can frequently be seen in process of being budded off by the wall of the embryonic blood-vessel into its cavity.
the wall of the embryonic blood-vessel into its cavity.


(2) In other cases the vessel with its contents is seen to arise as a
(2) In other cases the vessel with its contents is seen to arise as a solid mass of cells, those at the periphery becoming the wall (endothelium) of the vessel rudiment while those more deeply placed round themselves off, becoming separated by chinks containing fluid, and develop into corpuscles. This may be regarded as a 366 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES t CH.
solid mass of cells, those at the periphery becoming the wall
(endothelium) of the vessel rudiment while those more deeply placed
round themselves off, becoming separated by chinks containing
fluid, and develop into corpuscles. This may be regarded as a
366 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES t CH.


modification of (1) brought about by a hurrying on of the develop
modification of (1) brought about by a hurrying on of the develop ment of the corpuscles.
ment of the corpuscles.


(3) In still other cases the cells of the mesenchyme reticulum in
(3) In still other cases the cells of the mesenchyme reticulum in certain localities e._q. in the spaces between the tubules of the pronephros draw in their processes, round themselves ofi' and are carried away in the blood stream as primitive corpuscles.
certain localities e._q. in the spaces between the tubules of the
pronephros draw in their processes, round themselves ofi' and are
carried away in the blood stream as primitive corpuscles.


This last mode of origin may account for the fact that the
This last mode of origin may account for the fact that the


Flu, 176.——-"Portions of transverse sections through Ela.~nnobrancl1 enibryos illustrating
Flu, 176.——-"Portions of transverse sections through Ela.~nnobrancl1 enibryos illustrating the origin of the heart.
the origin of the heart.


A, ’1’m'pedo, stage with one gill cleft; B, 7'()1'pe(lo, stage with two gill clefts; (3, .1’r-istiu:-us, stag.-,-e
A, ’1’m'pedo, stage with one gill cleft; B, 7'()1'pe(lo, stage with two gill clefts; (3, .1’r-istiu:-us, stag.-,-e with twenty-five st-.,«_»;ments; D, I-’ri..-I2'.u-rw.«:, stage with forty segments. (After figures by Riiekert ([388) and Mollier (l906).) cl.-nue, dorsal mesocardinm; mo, endoeardimn; and, endoderm of foregut: me, myoeardiunl; mes, mesodenn; N, notochord ; pt‘, pericardiuc cavity; 3.0, spinal cord; splc, splanelmoeoele.
with twenty-five st-.,«_»;ments; D, I-’ri..-I2'.u-rw.«:, stage with forty segments. (After figures by Riiekert
([388) and Mollier (l906).) cl.-nue, dorsal mesocardinm; mo, endoeardimn; and, endoderm of foregut:
me, myoeardiunl; mes, mesodenn; N, notochord ; pt‘, pericardiuc cavity; 3.0, spinal cord; splc,
splanelmoeoele.


corpuscles have been observed to make their appearance suddenly in
corpuscles have been observed to make their appearance suddenly in large numbers in the circulating blood. The sudden setting free of large numbers of corpuscles is possibly due ‘to an epidemic of mitosis in the mesenchyme cells, as it is well. known that the onset of the mitotic process frequently induces a retraction of the processes of the cell.-body and its assumption of an approximately spherical shape. ’
large numbers in the circulating blood. The sudden setting free
of large numbers of corpuscles is possibly due ‘to an epidemic of
mitosis in the mesenchyme cells, as it is well. known that the onset
of the mitotic process frequently induces a retraction of the processes
of the cell.-body and its assumption of an approximately spherical
shape. ’


It is not proposed to trace out in this volume the further development of the blood corpuscles—-—how the originally similar indifferent
It is not proposed to trace out in this volume the further development of the blood corpuscles—-—how the originally similar indifferent V1 ORIGIN OF THE HEART AND VESSELS 367
V1 ORIGIN OF THE HEART AND VESSELS 367


corpuscles become differentiated with further development into
corpuscles become differentiated with further development into specialized strains—Erythrocytes or Red corpuscles and the various types of Leucoeytes; for an account of this in Lepidosiren the student may be referred to the beautiful memoir by Bryce (1905).
specialized strains—Erythrocytes or Red corpuscles and the various
types of Leucoeytes; for an account of this in Lepidosiren the student
may be referred to the beautiful memoir by Bryce (1905).


The mode of origin of the vascular system in the holoblastic
The mode of origin of the vascular system in the holoblastic vertebrates in general seems to resemble in its main lines that described above. The chief question that has given rise to discussion is one which in the opinion of the present writer resolves itself very much into a question of mere verbal expression—namely whether it is more correct to state that the first rudiments of the vascular system (or parts of them) are derived from mesoderm or from endoderm. When it is borne in mind that the mesoderm of the Vertebrate is essentially a derivative of the endoderm, it will be realized that the questioll is of minor importance whether or not special portions, such as rudiments of the vascular system in particular cases, lag behind the main 1nesoderm_ in their separation from the endoderm, so as to originate fron1 the latter directly instead of from the already differentiated mesoderm.
vertebrates in general seems to resemble in its main lines that
described above. The chief question that has given rise to discussion is one which in the opinion of the present writer resolves
itself very much into a question of mere verbal expression—namely
whether it is more correct to state that the first rudiments of the
vascular system (or parts of them) are derived from mesoderm or
from endoderm. When it is borne in mind that the mesoderm of the
Vertebrate is essentially a derivative of the endoderm, it will be
realized that the questioll is of minor importance whether or not
special portions, such as rudiments of the vascular system in particular
cases, lag behind the main 1nesoderm_ in their separation from the
endoderm, so as to originate fron1 the latter directly instead of from
the already differentiated mesoderm.


On1c1N or THE lI1«:An'r IN MEROBLA IC VEIm::s1iA'1‘Es.——The
On1c1N or THE lI1«:An'r IN MEROBLA IC VEIm::s1iA'1‘Es.——The heart 111 its earliest stages shows in mere » astic vertebrates generally a set of conditions quite similar to those met with in holoblastic forms. In Elasmobranchs (Fig. 176, A) the first obvious rudiment of the heart is in the form of a number of cells of irregular shape which make their appearance on each side of the foregut, between it and the splanchnic mesoderm, from which latter they are apparently derived. As the foregut separates off from the endoderm of the yolk the irregular row of these cells shifts downwards and towards the mesial plane, so as to form a single elongated group underlying the foregut 1 (Fig. 17 6, B). The individual cells unite together and form a syncytial mass containing vacuolar spaces (Fig. 176, C, ens). Finally (Fig. 176, 1)) this elongated mass assumes a tubular form, its vacuoles coalescing and increasing in volume to form a wide cavity, while the protoplasm becomes thinner and forms the endothelial wall. The myocardium (mo) comes to surround the endothelial tube in exactly the way described for holoblastic forms.
heart 111 its earliest stages shows in mere » astic vertebrates generally
a set of conditions quite similar to those met with in holoblastic
forms. In Elasmobranchs (Fig. 176, A) the first obvious rudiment
of the heart is in the form of a number of cells of irregular shape
which make their appearance on each side of the foregut, between it
and the splanchnic mesoderm, from which latter they are apparently
derived. As the foregut separates off from the endoderm of the yolk
the irregular row of these cells shifts downwards and towards the
mesial plane, so as to form a single elongated group underlying the
foregut 1 (Fig. 17 6, B). The individual cells unite together and form
a syncytial mass containing vacuolar spaces (Fig. 176, C, ens). Finally
(Fig. 176, 1)) this elongated mass assumes a tubular form, its vacuoles
coalescing and increasing in volume to form a wide cavity, while the
protoplasm becomes thinner and forms the endothelial wall. The
myocardium (mo) comes to surround the endothelial tube in exactly
the way described for holoblastic forms.


In the Sauropsida again the phenomena are similar. To take as
In the Sauropsida again the phenomena are similar. To take as an example the Fowl: about the stage When two or three segments areformed isolated cardiac cells begin to appear on each side between the endoderm and splanchnie mesoderm. These cells increase in number and form a longitudinal tract on each side, the two converging and meeting anteriorly. As the foregut becomes constricted off the two cardiac strands come together from before backwards in front of the yolk-stalk though even at the eight-segment stage they are not completely fused. The endothelial rudiment now forms a loose syncytial spongework with large meshes containing
an example the Fowl: about the stage When two or three segments
areformed isolated cardiac cells begin to appear on each side between
the endoderm and splanchnie mesoderm. These cells increase in
number and form a longitudinal tract on each side, the two converging and meeting anteriorly. As the foregut becomes constricted
off the two cardiac strands come together from before backwards in
front of the yolk-stalk though even at the eight-segment stage
they are not completely fused. The endothelial rudiment now
forms a loose syncytial spongework with large meshes containing


 


1 Ruckert (1888) believes them to be reinforced by cells derived from the ventral
1 Ruckert (1888) believes them to be reinforced by cells derived from the ventral endoderm of the foregut. 368 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES C11.
endoderm of the foregut.
368 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES C11.


fluid. The myocardium develops as in the other forms already
fluid. The myocardium develops as in the other forms already mentioned.
mentioned.


ORIGIN or 'rm+: l’ERIPHERAI. BLOOD-VESSELS IN THE MERo13LAs'r1o
ORIGIN or 'rm+: l’ERIPHERAI. BLOOD-VESSELS IN THE MERo13LAs'r1o VEl{'1‘l¢3BRA'l‘ES.-——ln those Vertebrates which have meroblastic eggs the concentration of yolk in the highly modified ventral endoderm accentuates the need of an efiicient transport system by which this food material may be taken up and conveyed to the yolkless and actively developing parts of the embryo. ln accordance with this we find that such vertebrates show a precocious development of a rich network of blood-vessels over the surface of the endoderm or yolk and this vitelline network allbrds admirable material for the study of the earliest stages in the development of peripheral bleed-vessels.
VEl{'1‘l¢3BRA'l‘ES.-——ln those Vertebrates which have meroblastic eggs
the concentration of yolk in the highly modified ventral endoderm
accentuates the need of an efiicient transport system by which this
food material may be taken up and conveyed to the yolkless and
actively developing parts of the embryo. ln accordance with this
we find that such vertebrates show a precocious development of
a rich network of blood-vessels over the surface of the endoderm
or yolk and this vitelline network allbrds admirable material for
the study of the earliest stages in the development of peripheral
bleed-vessels.


it will be convenient to consider in some little detail the early
it will be convenient to consider in some little detail the early development of the vitelline network in the Fowl, material for the study of which is easily obtainable and which further has been worked out in detail by numerous investigators. Riickert has furnished an excellent modern account (1906) a11d upon it the following description is based: for fuller detail reference must be made to the original.
development of the vitelline network in the Fowl, material for the
study of which is easily obtainable and which further has been
worked out in detail by numerous investigators. Riickert has
furnished an excellent modern account (1906) a11d upon it the
following description is based: for fuller detail reference must be
made to the original.


The first signs of bloed—vessel formation make their appearance
The first signs of bloed—vessel formation make their appearance extremely early, at a stage when the primitive streak is present but hardly any trace, or only a small stump, of the so-called head-process at its front end. The mesoderm has at this stage spread slightly beyond the edge of the pellucid area, especially posteriorly. Round its posterior edge the mesoderm assumes a mottled appearance owing to the development in it of small cell condensations the first trace of the blood-islands as they were called by Pander. These bloodislands are sometimes arranged in two separate series one on each side but more usually they form a U-shaped arrangement parallel and in close proximity to the posterior limit of the mesoderm.
extremely early, at a stage when the primitive streak is present but
hardly any trace, or only a small stump, of the so-called head-process
at its front end. The mesoderm has at this stage spread slightly
beyond the edge of the pellucid area, especially posteriorly. Round
its posterior edge the mesoderm assumes a mottled appearance owing
to the development in it of small cell condensations the first trace
of the blood-islands as they were called by Pander. These bloodislands are sometimes arranged in two separate series one on each
side but more usually they form a U-shaped arrangement parallel
and in close proximity to the posterior limit of the mesoderm.


In a slightly later stage the mottled area containing bloodislands -— the vascular area — is of a U-shape, extending through
In a slightly later stage the mottled area containing bloodislands -— the vascular area — is of a U-shape, extending through about the posterior half of the extent of the mesoderm. The bloodislands are less conspicuous in front, gradually fading away, as they do also on the side next the primitive streak. They are most strongly marked towards the external margin of the mesoderm and here they, as well as the whole sheet of mesoderm, are being added to by delamination from the endoderm of the germ-wall. The bloodislands, the first rudiments of blood-vessels, are simply thickenings and condensations of the mesoderm. They at first have the appearance in sections of occupying its whole thickness but later it is seen that each blood-island is roofed over by a layer of unmodified mesoderm -—demareated apparently by a simple process of splitting-olf of the superficial layer of cells.
about the posterior half of the extent of the mesoderm. The bloodislands are less conspicuous in front, gradually fading away, as they do
also on the side next the primitive streak. They are most strongly
marked towards the external margin of the mesoderm and here they,
as well as the whole sheet of mesoderm, are being added to by
delamination from the endoderm of the germ-wall. The bloodislands, the first rudiments of blood-vessels, are simply thickenings and condensations of the mesoderm. They at first have the
appearance in sections of occupying its whole thickness but later it
is seen that each blood-island is roofed over by a layer of unmodified
mesoderm -—demareated apparently by a simple process of splitting-olf
of the superficial layer of cells.


As development goes on, the area of vascular rudiments spreads
As development goes on, the area of vascular rudiments spreads inwards into regions of the mesoderm which have been for some time completely separated from the endodérm by a well-marked split. VI ORIGIN OF THE VESSELS 369
inwards into regions of the mesoderm which have been for some
time completely separated from the endodérm by a well-marked split.
VI ORIGIN OF THE VESSELS 369


Blood-islands developing in such regions are therefore clearly derivatives of the mesoderm and there is no possibility of the endoderm
Blood-islands developing in such regions are therefore clearly derivatives of the mesoderm and there is no possibility of the endoderm playing a direct part in their formation as might be the case peripherally in the region of the germ-wall.
playing a direct part in their formation as might be the case peripherally in the region of the germ-wall.


The vascular rudiments become joined up by strands of cells to
The vascular rudiments become joined up by strands of cells to form a network and this network gradually spreads inwards, its extension being brought about by a progressive differentiation in situ from the mesoderm : there is no actual sprouting inwards of the already formed strands of the network as is suggested sometimes by the study of whole blastoderms and as was once supposed to take place.
form a network and this network gradually spreads inwards, its
extension being brought about by a progressive differentiation in situ
from the mesoderm : there is no actual sprouting inwards of the already
formed strands of the network as is suggested sometimes by the
study of whole blastoderms and as was once supposed to take place.


Of the network of cell strands which traverses the rudiment of
Of the network of cell strands which traverses the rudiment of the vascular area the bulkier portions give rise to masses of‘ blood corpuseles surrounded by an endothelial wall, the more attenuated portions to endothelial tubes without any corpuscles in their interior. In the former case the superficial layer of the cells forming the bloodisland becomes raised up from the main mass of cells, fluid accumulating beneath it in spaces which are at first isolated but later become continuous. The flattened cells which are raised up represent the endothelial wall while the main mass of cells left behind represent developing corpuscles. It is to be noted that the endothelial wall separates from the mass of corpuscles first below ('i.e. on the side towards the yolk) and laterally, so that after fluid has accumulated in the rudimentary vessel the mass of corpuscles still remains attached to its, as yet undifferentiated, roof. The narrower strands between the main blood-islands and also all those in the pellucid area, except sometimes a few near its posterior end, give rise simply to endothelial tubes containing fluid plasma. As the circulation begins the masses of embryonic corpuscles gradually break up, first in the region of the sinus terminalis} the individual corpuscles being whirled away by the current and carried to the heart and thence through the circulation.
the vascular area the bulkier portions give rise to masses of‘ blood
corpuseles surrounded by an endothelial wall, the more attenuated
portions to endothelial tubes without any corpuscles in their interior.
In the former case the superficial layer of the cells forming the bloodisland becomes raised up from the main mass of cells, fluid accumulating beneath it in spaces which are at first isolated but later
become continuous. The flattened cells which are raised up represent the endothelial wall while the main mass of cells left behind
represent developing corpuscles. It is to be noted that the endothelial
wall separates from the mass of corpuscles first below ('i.e. on the
side towards the yolk) and laterally, so that after fluid has accumulated in the rudimentary vessel the mass of corpuscles still remains
attached to its, as yet undifferentiated, roof. The narrower strands
between the main blood-islands and also all those in the pellucid
area, except sometimes a few near its posterior end, give rise simply
to endothelial tubes containing fluid plasma. As the circulation
begins the masses of embryonic corpuscles gradually break up, first
in the region of the sinus terminalis} the individual corpuscles being
whirled away by the current and carried to the heart and thence
through the circulation.


The origin of the vitelline network has also been investigated in
The origin of the vitelline network has also been investigated in Elasmobranchs (especially Torpedo) by numerous workers. It agrees in its main features with what occurs in the Fowl.
Elasmobranchs (especially Torpedo) by numerous workers. It agrees
in its main features with what occurs in the Fowl.


As regards the peripheral vessels in general, of the Vertebrata,
As regards the peripheral vessels in general, of the Vertebrata, we may say that they take their origin as chinks within the n1esenchyme filled with a clear fluid secretion (plasma). These chinks are at their first appearance in some cases clearly intercellular while in others they at first have the appearance of intracellular vacuoles. As has already been pointed out in dealing with connective tissue (p. 292) this difference though at first sight impressive loses most of its apparent importance when regarded critically. In this particular case the protoplasmic masses in which the vacuoles appear are as a rule multinucleate and it is clearly impossible to draw a sharp line of morphological distinction between spaces in such masses with
we may say that they take their origin as chinks within the n1esenchyme filled with a clear fluid secretion (plasma). These chinks are
at their first appearance in some cases clearly intercellular while
in others they at first have the appearance of intracellular vacuoles.
As has already been pointed out in dealing with connective tissue
(p. 292) this difference though at first sight impressive loses most of
its apparent importance when regarded critically. In this particular
case the protoplasmic masses in which the vacuoles appear are as a
rule multinucleate and it is clearly impossible to draw a sharp line
of morphological distinction between spaces in such masses with


1 The topography of the vascular area will be found illustrated later in the special
1 The topography of the vascular area will be found illustrated later in the special chapter on the development of the Fowl.
chapter on the development of the Fowl.


voL. II 2 n
370 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRAT IS on.


partially broken down walls, and the ordinary intercellular spaces of
partially broken down walls, and the ordinary intercellular spaces of syncytial embryonic connective tissue.
syncytial embryonic connective tissue.


GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE MORP F rue
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE MORP F rue
RATE EART.-—- may )6’. regarded as apr1m1 ivec aracteristic
o oo -vessc s t rat their walls are contractile, peristaltic waves of
contraction serving to propel the blood in their cavities. It is
usually the case however in the more complex animals that this
contractility becomes concentrated in one or more localized portions
of the vessels, known as hearts, in which the vessel becomes much
enlarged and its muscular coating thickened and rhythmically contractile.


In the craniate Vertebrates there is one heart present and it
RATE EART.-—- may )6’. regarded as apr1m1 ivec aracteristic
represents an enlarged portion of the Von tral vessel in the region
o oo -vessc s t rat their walls are contractile, peristaltic waves of contraction serving to propel the blood in their cavities. It is usually the case however in the more complex animals that this contractility becomes concentrated in one or more localized portions of the vessels, known as hearts, in which the vessel becomes much enlarged and its muscular coating thickened and rhythmically contractile.
immediately behind the gills. During ontogeny the heart still
repeats the archaic evolutionary phase in which it was tubular in
character. As development goes on the primitive heart, or cardiac
tube, shows rapid increase in size within the pericardiac chamber of
the coelome in which it lies. This chamber is relatively small in
size and in the lower, fish-like, Vertebrates is bounded by rigid
unyielding walls. The confined nature of this space in which the
heart has been evolved has, by imposing restrictions upon it during
its increase in size, exercised a profound influence upon the modelling
of the vertebrate heart. It is therefore desirable to have a. clear idea
of the general relations of the heart to the perieardiac cavity, during
its increase in size, before attempting to study its development in
detail in the various groups of Vertebrates.


The portion of vessel originally included between the anterior and
In the craniate Vertebrates there is one heart present and it represents an enlarged portion of the Von tral vessel in the region immediately behind the gills. During ontogeny the heart still repeats the archaic evolutionary phase in which it was tubular in character. As development goes on the primitive heart, or cardiac tube, shows rapid increase in size within the pericardiac chamber of the coelome in which it lies. This chamber is relatively small in size and in the lower, fish-like, Vertebrates is bounded by rigid unyielding walls. The confined nature of this space in which the heart has been evolved has, by imposing restrictions upon it during its increase in size, exercised a profound influence upon the modelling of the vertebrate heart. It is therefore desirable to have a. clear idea of the general relations of the heart to the perieardiac cavity, during its increase in size, before attempting to study its development in detail in the various groups of Vertebrates.
posterior limits of the pericardiac cavity will be referred to here as


the primitive heart or cardiac tube. As development proceeds
The portion of vessel originally included between the anterior and posterior limits of the pericardiac cavity will be referred to here as
the increase in size of the primitive heart reveals itself in (1) increase
 
the primitive heart or cardiac tube. As development proceeds the increase in size of the primitive heart reveals itself in (1) increase


in length and (2) increase in diameter.
in length and (2) increase in diameter.


(1) As regards the former, the cardiac tube is at its posterior
(1) As regards the former, the cardiac tube is at its posterior and anterior ends-——where it enters and leaves the pericardiac cavity respectively—firmly embedded in the tissues of the pericardiac wall. These ends being consequently in the lower, fish-like, vertebrates rigidly fixed in position, it has of necessity come about that the cardiac tube, while in the course of evolution it has increased in length, has lost its original straight form and has been thrown into a system of bends or kinks which have had an important influence upon the structure of the fully evolved heart. This bending process is repeated, though with obscuring of some of its detail, during ontogeny and it is an interesting morphological problem to endeavour to unravel the details of the process from the data of comparative anatomy and embryology.
and anterior ends-——where it enters and leaves the pericardiac cavity
respectively—firmly embedded in the tissues of the pericardiac wall.
These ends being consequently in the lower, fish-like, vertebrates
rigidly fixed in position, it has of necessity come about that the
cardiac tube, while in the course of evolution it has increased in
length, has lost its original straight form and has been thrown into a
system of bends or kinks which have had an important influence
upon the structure of the fully evolved heart. This bending process
is repeated, though with obscuring of some of its detail, during ontogeny and it is an interesting morphological problem to endeavour to
unravel the details of the process from the data of comparative
anatomy and embryology.


Apparently the primary flexure of the cardiac tube is represented
Apparently the primary flexure of the cardiac tube is represented by a simple loop or bulging towards the right side of the body, which is visible in the embryos of most Vertebrates during early stages of heart development. VI MORPHOLOGY OF THE HEART 371
by a simple loop or bulging towards the right side of the body, which
is visible in the embryos of most Vertebrates during early stages of
heart development.
VI MORPHOLOGY OF THE HEART 371


With increasing growth in length of the cardiac tube this simple
With increasing growth in length of the cardiac tube this simple curvature becomes converted into a double flexure the heart taking on a S-shape. Of the two curves which 1nake up the 5 one which has its concave side towards the head represents the original loop, while the other which is convex towards the head has developed in the portion of cardiac tube lying posterior to the primary loop. Of these two curves the one last mentioned, that which is morphologically posterior, is in an approximately vertical plane. The anterior or primary curve on the other hand shows much variation in position in different Vertebrates. While on the whole it still bulges towards the right side, as did the primary loop, the portion of it formed by the originally headward section of the tube comes in many cases to lie ventral to the other limb of the curve. In other cases this, originally anterior, portion of the tube lies for a time dorsal to the other, as is the case in balamamtlm. The difference will be appre ciated by comparing the
curvature becomes converted into a double flexure the heart taking
on a S-shape. Of the two curves which 1nake up the 5 one which
has its concave side towards
the head represents the original loop, while the other
which is convex towards the
head has developed in the
portion of cardiac tube lying
posterior to the primary loop.
Of these two curves the one
last mentioned, that which is
morphologically posterior, is
in an approximately vertical plane. The anterior or
primary curve on the other
hand shows much variation
in position in different
Vertebrates. While on the
whole it still bulges towards
the right side, as did the
primary loop, the portion of
it formed by the originally
headward section of the tube
comes in many cases to lie
ventral to the other limb of
the curve. In other cases
this, originally anterior, portion of the tube lies for a
time dorsal to the other, as
is the case in balamamtlm.
The difference will be appre
ciated by comparing the


relative Positions of 0 and V Flo. 177.-—-A, diagram to illustrate the llexure of
relative Positions of 0 and V Flo. 177.-—-A, diagram to illustrate the llexure of
Line 516: Line 157:
- - the cardiac tube in the adult I.epz'u’o.s-[rem as seen
- - the cardiac tube in the adult I.epz'u’o.s-[rem as seen


In F138’ 184’ A’ and 178' from the ventral side. The portion of thelliagram
In F138’ 184’ A’ and 178' from the ventral side. The portion of thelliagram 01 3:11 the IOWCT Vicrtf?‘ above the horizontal line represents the conus:
01 3:11 the IOWCT Vicrtf?‘ above the horizontal line represents the conus:


}_)1-a,t',es in which the per}- the portion below the horizontal line would
}_)1-a,t',es in which the per}- the portion below the horizontal line would


- _ - - represent the rest of the heart on the assumption
- _ - - represent the rest of the heart on the assumption cardiac space 1S Sun bounded that this portion of the cardiac tube possesses a
cardiac space 1S Sun bounded that this portion of the cardiac tube possesses a


by rigid illextensillle Walls similar curvature to that of the conus. Longill} iS the gI'011p Of Lung-fishes tmlinal lines drawn along the tube mark the
by rigid illextensillle Walls similar curvature to that of the conus. Longill} iS the gI'011p Of Lung-fishes tmlinal lines drawn along the tube mark the


that Shows the heart.’ at originally dorsal (1)), ventral (V), right (R), and
that Shows the heart.’ at originally dorsal (1)), ventral (V), right (R), and ‘ left (L).
‘ left (L).


the highest level of evolu- B I I I L t d I b L It
the highest level of evolu- B I I I L t d I b L It - - , - s rows t ne spira wis mg pro ueec y s rang] ening non‘ Anll In Lorrelatlon out a tube possessing the same llexure as the ‘L-onus
- - , - s rows t ne spira wis mg pro ueec y s rang] ening
non‘ Anll In Lorrelatlon out a tube possessing the same llexure as the ‘L-onus
 
  VVO filld that portion in diagram A.


  VVO filld that portion in diagram A.
in these fishes the kinking
in these fishes the kinking


of the cardiac tube attains its maximum. In a fully developed
of the cardiac tube attains its maximum. In a fully developed Lepidosiren (see below, pp. 376-378) the anterior portion of the cardiac tube (the “conus arteriosus ”) has developed a further 372 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
Lepidosiren (see below, pp. 376-378) the anterior portion of the
cardiac tube (the “conus arteriosus ”) has developed a further
372 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


flexure in addition to those already described. The nature of this
flexure in addition to those already described. The nature of this flexure is shown in the upper portion of Fig. 177, A, which represents diagrammatically the eonus of Lepiclosiren as seen from the ventral side.
flexure is shown in the upper portion of Fig. 177, A, which represents diagrammatically the eonus of Lepiclosiren as seen from the
ventral side.


The extreme anterior end of the tube, being fixed firmly at its
The extreme anterior end of the tube, being fixed firmly at its exit from the pericardiac cavity, retains its primitive morphological position: its originally dorsal side is actually dorsal.
exit from the pericardiac cavity, retains its primitive morphological
position: its originally dorsal side is actually dorsal.


Traced backwards the tube is seen to become sharply bent upon
Traced backwards the tube is seen to become sharply bent upon itself in a headward direction, in such a way that the side of the tube which was originally on the left side comes to be ventral, as is indicated by the finely dotted line L in the figure. Tracing the tube onwards a second sharp flexure is found and the tube resumes its antero-posterior direction. This second flexure involves a complete reversal of the tube. Its originally right-hand edge (indicated by the coarsely dotted line 13), which had come to be dorsal as a result of the first flexure, is now ventral.
itself in a headward direction, in such a way that the side of the
tube which was originally on the left side comes to be ventral, as is
indicated by the finely dotted line L in the figure. Tracing the
tube onwards a second sharp flexure is found and the tube resumes
its antero-posterior direction. This second flexure involves a
complete reversal of the tube. Its originally right-hand edge
(indicated by the coarsely dotted line 13), which had come to be
dorsal as a result of the first flexure, is now ventral.


The changes in the position of the tube caused by the two
The changes in the position of the tube caused by the two fiexures may be summed up by saying that the half of the tube which was originally dorsal, and which remains dorsal at its anterior or headward end, has come to be situated on the right side at the posterior or ventricular end of the portion of the tube now under consideration (eonus). Similarly the half of the tube which at the headward end is ventral, has come to be at the ventricular end on the left side.
fiexures may be summed up by saying that the half of the tube
which was originally dorsal, and which remains dorsal at its
anterior or headward end, has come to be situated on the right side
at the posterior or ventricular end of the portion of the tube now
under consideration (eonus). Similarly the half of the tube which
at the headward end is ventral, has come to be at the ventricular
end on the left side.


The lower half of the diagram represents the portion of cardiac
The lower half of the diagram represents the portion of cardiac tube which gives rise to the main part of the heart and it is to a certain- extent hypothetical, inasmuch as it does not rest on a complete series of observations, but it is clear that the morphologically right side of the cardiac tube, which is topographically ventral in the middle part of the figure, has to get back to its original right-hand position at the hinder end of the cardiac tube (which like the front end is firmly fixed in position), and it is reasonable to infer that the flexure of this portion, which gives rise to the atrium and ventricle, would be found, were its unravelling possible, to be symmetrical with the anterior flexure already dealt with.
tube which gives rise to the main part of the heart and it is to a
certain- extent hypothetical, inasmuch as it does not rest on a
complete series of observations, but it is clear that the morphologically right side of the cardiac tube, which is topographically
ventral in the middle part of the figure, has to get back to its
original right-hand position at the hinder end of the cardiac tube
(which like the front end is firmly fixed in position), and it is
reasonable to infer that the flexure of this portion, which gives rise
to the atrium and ventricle, would be found, were its unravelling
possible, to be symmetrical with the anterior flexure already dealt
with.


It is interesting to take such a model as that represented in
It is interesting to take such a model as that represented in Fig. 177 and subject the eonus portion to a process of straightening out——such as would happen in nature if the eonus were to shrink in length, its anterior and posterior ends remaining fixed. The result is shown in Fig. 177, B. The eonus assumes a twisting in a right-handed spiral through three right angles. In the Amniota it will be found that the representatives of the eonus of the Lung-fish~ the roots of the great arteries, pulmonary and systen1ic—as they pass headwards from the ventricular part of the heart, twist round one another in just such a spiral.
Fig. 177 and subject the eonus portion to a process of straightening
out——such as would happen in nature if the eonus were to shrink
in length, its anterior and posterior ends remaining fixed. The
result is shown in Fig. 177, B. The eonus assumes a twisting in a
right-handed spiral through three right angles. In the Amniota it
will be found that the representatives of the eonus of the Lung-fish~ the roots of the great arteries, pulmonary and systen1ic—as they
pass headwards from the ventricular part of the heart, twist round
one another in just such a spiral.


(2) As regards the increase in diameter of the cardiac tube, it is
(2) As regards the increase in diameter of the cardiac tube, it is characteristic that this does not take place equally throughout. At VI MORPHOLOGY OF THE HEART 373
characteristic that this does not take place equally throughout. At
VI MORPHOLOGY OF THE HEART 373


certain levels the increase in diameter is much less pronounced than
certain levels the increase in diameter is much less pronounced than it is elsewhere, with the result that the tube appears to be constricted at these points wl1ile it bulges out between them. This development of a series of dilated portions of the heart-tube is the first step in its segmentation into a series of chambers. Of these chambers there are typically in the lower vertebrates four——sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus arteriosus.
it is elsewhere, with the result that the tube appears to be
constricted at these points wl1ile it bulges out between them. This
development of a series of dilated portions of the heart-tube is the
first step in its segmentation into a series of chambers. Of these
chambers there are typically in the lower vertebrates four——sinus
venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus arteriosus.


Allusion must be made in passing to an unfortunate confusion
Allusion must be made in passing to an unfortunate confusion of nomenclature which is apt to prove a stumbling-block in the way of the student who is trying to ‘get his ideas clear regarding the morphology of. the heart.. The name conus arteriosus was first used, so far as the comparative anatomy of the lower Vertebrates is concerned, by Gegenbaur (1.866) who used it to designate the structure lying between ventricle and ventral aorta in Elasmobranchs and Ganoids, and characterized by its possessing a muscular, rhythmically contractile wall and by its containing longitudinal rows of pocket valves. 'l‘he name’ was introduced in order to accentuate the supposedly fundamental difference, already suggested by Johannes Muller (1845), between the structure in question and the bulbus arteriosus of Teleostean fishes. This latter is not provided with striped muscle in its wall, it is not rhythmically contractile: in other words it does not form physiologically a. part of the heart. Objections, and quite valid ones, have been raised against the use of Gegenbaur’s name from the side 01' Human anatomy, it being pointed out that the “conus” of the lower fishes corresponds rather with the “ bulbus ” of the human heart. Human anatomists working at the embryology of the vertebrate heart in consequence commonly use the_,na1ne bulbus cordis for the part oi the heart under discussion. Gegenbaur’s name however has come to be so universally used by comparative anatomists in reference to the heart of the lower vertebrates as to indicate the desirability 01 using it in a work on comparative morphology such as this. It will be understood then that the name conus arteriosus is used in this volume as equivalent to what is by many writers termed bulbus. cordis,‘ without prejudice however to the question whether or not Gegenbaur was justified in his belief that conus arteriosus and bulbus arteriosus are fundamentally distinct structures.
of nomenclature which is apt to prove a stumbling-block in the
way of the student who is trying to ‘get his ideas clear regarding
the morphology of. the heart.. The name conus arteriosus was first
used, so far as the comparative anatomy of the lower Vertebrates
is concerned, by Gegenbaur (1.866) who used it to designate the
structure lying between ventricle and ventral aorta in Elasmobranchs
and Ganoids, and characterized by its possessing a muscular,
rhythmically contractile wall and by its containing longitudinal
rows of pocket valves. 'l‘he name’ was introduced in order to
accentuate the supposedly fundamental difference, already suggested
by Johannes Muller (1845), between the structure in question and
the bulbus arteriosus of Teleostean fishes. This latter is not
provided with striped muscle in its wall, it is not rhythmically
contractile: in other words it does not form physiologically a. part
of the heart. Objections, and quite valid ones, have been raised
against the use of Gegenbaur’s name from the side 01' Human
anatomy, it being pointed out that the “conus” of the lower fishes
corresponds rather with the “ bulbus ” of the human heart. Human
anatomists working at the embryology of the vertebrate heart in
consequence commonly use the_,na1ne bulbus cordis for the part oi
the heart under discussion. Gegenbaur’s name however has come
to be so universally used by comparative anatomists in reference to
the heart of the lower vertebrates as to indicate the desirability 01
using it in a work on comparative morphology such as this. It will
be understood then that the name conus arteriosus is used in this
volume as equivalent to what is by many writers termed bulbus.
cordis,‘ without prejudice however to the question whether or not
Gegenbaur was justified in his belief that conus arteriosus and
bulbus arteriosus are fundamentally distinct structures.


ELASMOBRANCHII.-—Tl1e Elasmobranch heart passes through the
ELASMOBRANCHII.-—Tl1e Elasmobranch heart passes through the typical early stages, first as a straight tube (see Chap.,XI.), then as a tube which bulges towards the right side, and then as a tube with the characteristic S-shaped double flexure already alluded to (Fig 17 8). The three limbs of the 5 during further development become converted into (1) atrium with sinus venosus, (2) ventricle, and (3: conus arteriosus. The well-marked constriction which demarcates atrium from ventricle forms the auricular canal. The progress
typical early stages, first as a straight tube (see Chap.,XI.), then as
a tube which bulges towards the right side, and then as a tube with
the characteristic S-shaped double flexure already alluded to (Fig
17 8). The three limbs of the 5 during further development become
converted into (1) atrium with sinus venosus, (2) ventricle, and (3:
conus arteriosus. The well-marked constriction which demarcates
atrium from ventricle forms the auricular canal. The progress


1 I avoid in this book using the term trwncus arteriosus as it is unnecessary and
1 I avoid in this book using the term trwncus arteriosus as it is unnecessary and


is liable to cause confusion owing to the want of precision with which it is
is liable to cause confusion owing to the want of precision with which it is commonly used. 374 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
commonly used.
 
374 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
towards the condition of the fully developed heart is marked mainly by the increase in relative size of the atrium and ventricle. Whereas however the increase in the size of the atrium takes the form mainly of a mere process ..of dilatation, that of the ventricle is accompanied by a much more marked thickening of its wall. This is brought about by the inner surface of the niyoeardium forming numerous projections into the lumen which, becoming more and more pronounced and interlacing and fusing with one another, form eventually a spongework and encroach considerably on the ventricular cavity round its periphery. The eiidocardiuin fits closely over the surface of each of these inyoeardiac trabeculae.


towards the condition of the fully developed heart is marked mainly
The physiological iiieaning of the formation of the trabcculac during the evolution of the ventricle probably lies in the fact that a bundle of muscle which has for its function the pulling together of the ventricular wall can carry out this function more efficientl if it runs straight between its two ends, in ot)lIier words if it is in the position of a chord to the curve of the ventricular wall rather than simply a portion of that curve.
by the increase in relative size of the atrium and ventricle. Whereas
however the increase in the size of the atrium takes the form mainly
of a mere process ..of dilatation, that of the ventricle is accompanied
by a much more marked thickening of its wall. This is brought
about by the inner surface of the niyoeardium forming numerous
projections into the lumen which, becoming more and more pronounced and interlacing and fusing with one another, form eventually a spongework and encroach considerably on the ventricular
cavity round its periphery. The eiidocardiuin fits closely over the
surface of each of these inyoeardiac trabeculae.


The physiological iiieaning of the formation of the trabcculac
Attention must now be directed to a very characteristic and important proliferation of the endocardiac cells which makes itself "apparent in particular regions. In the eonus such proliferation takes place along the course of four longitudinal lines,- giving rise to cells 1,.“178___,l.“,0Smg0mW which lie in the space b(?:l)W€eI1.0Ild0S3iLl‘dl11II1
during the evolution of the ventricle probably lies in the fact that a
bundle of muscle which has for its function
the pulling together of the ventricular wall
can carry out this function more efficientl if
it runs straight between its two ends, in ot)lIier
words if it is in the position of a chord to
the curve of the ventricular wall rather than
simply a portion of that curve.


Attention must now be directed to a very
.1m10p..,e,,t of ti... ;...;.,.., and myocardium. As this proliferation goes 0fAcrmt/_w7a8 see1_1i'r<>mtlur on the endocardium is eventually made to
characteristic and important proliferation of
the endocardiac cells which makes itself
"apparent in particular regions. In the eonus
such proliferation takes place along the course
of four longitudinal lines,- giving rise to cells
1,.“178___,l.“,0Smg0mW which lie in the space b(?:l)W€eI1.0Ild0S3iLl‘dl11II1


.1m10p..,e,,t of ti... ;...;.,.., and myocardium. As this proliferation goes
S1‘;;3'6‘()A”°"1i“"°}“ bulge into the lumen as four . prominent
0fAcrmt/_w7a8 see1_1i'r<>mtlur on the endocardium is eventually made to
M m_mm_ F “mm endocardiac ridges. In 1icant7zw,s (GegenW; .M, Sim, .v,e“(')_s_l'l_\,; V, baur, 1894), one of the four ridges——-that which ventricle, is ventral in p,osition——is reduced in size.
S1‘;;3'6‘()A”°"1i“"°}“ bulge into the lumen as four . prominent
M m_mm_ F “mm endocardiac ridges. In 1icant7zw,s (GegenW; .M, Sim, .v,e“(')_s_l'l_\,; V, baur, 1894), one of the four ridges——-that which
ventricle, is ventral in p,osition——is reduced in size.


_ . _ In the auricular canal sinii.lar endocardiac
_ . _ In the auricular canal sinii.lar endocardiac prohferatious take place, one upon the headward and one upon the tailward wall respectively of the canal. Herc also each causes a prominent bulging of the endocardium into the cavity——-the atrioventricular cushion (anterior and posterior).
prohferatious take place, one upon the headward and one upon
the tailward wall respectively of the canal. Herc also each causes
a prominent bulging of the endocardium into the cavity——-the
atrioventricular cushion (anterior and posterior).


Both the ridges of the eonus and the atrioventricular cushions
Both the ridges of the eonus and the atrioventricular cushions constitute a valvular apparatus in that, by the contraction of the niyocardium lying outside them, they can be jammed together so as to occlude the lumen into which they project. In both cases, as development goes on, they undergo metamorphosis into a purely mechanical and automatic valvular apparatus. In the eonus each ridge becomes excavated into a number of pocket valves (“semilunar ” valves), the cavities of which open in a headward direction. Greil and others explain these cavities as being produced simply by the backward pressure of the blood but it is advisable to regard VI HEART OF ELASMOBRANCHS 375
constitute a valvular apparatus in that, by the contraction of the
niyocardium lying outside them, they can be jammed together so as
to occlude the lumen into which they project. In both cases, as
development goes on, they undergo metamorphosis into a purely
mechanical and automatic valvular apparatus. In the eonus each
ridge becomes excavated into a number of pocket valves (“semilunar ” valves), the cavities of which open in a headward direction.
Greil and others explain these cavities as being produced simply by
the backward pressure of the blood but it is advisable to regard
VI HEART OF ELASMOBRANCHS 375


such simple mechanical explanations of developmental phenomena
such simple mechanical explanations of developmental phenomena with S1].Spl(:1UI1. Similarly the atrloventricular cushions become excavated on their ventricular side and form the two atrioventricular
with S1].Spl(:1UI1. Similarly the atrloventricular cushions become
excavated on their ventricular side and form the two atrioventricular


valves of the adult. A pair of laterally placed valves also develop
valves of the adult. A pair of laterally placed valves also develop


FIG. 179.-—Vie\\'s of l.l|4,- hc:u‘t. of 1.4‘/n'«I...gu'ren as seu1'1 from the nlorphologically n.-ntral side.
FIG. 179.-—Vie\\'s of l.l|4,- hc:u‘t. of 1.4‘/n'«I...gu'ren as seu1'1 from the nlorphologically n.-ntral side. (ll and (,9 afta-.1‘ J. Hol_n-rtson, 1913.)
(ll and (,9 afta-.1‘ J. Hol_n-rtson, 1913.)


A, stage :52; I3, .s‘l...-1;,-er :51 ; ('.‘, stage 3-3. «I, atrium ; (‘, «onus :u-t-uriosils; 1.4-, In-ft a-uricle; 1211., right
A, stage :52; I3, .s‘l...-1;,-er :51 ; ('.‘, stage 3-3. «I, atrium ; (‘, «onus :u-t-uriosils; 1.4-, In-ft a-uricle; 1211., right auriclc; I", \'«-lltl‘irln.
auriclc; I", \'«-lltl‘irln.


at the opening of sinus into atrium but according to extant descriptions (Rose, 1890) arise merely as infoldings of the heart wall.
at the opening of sinus into atrium but according to extant descriptions (Rose, 1890) arise merely as infoldings of the heart wall.


DIPNo1.—-The development of the dipnoan heart has formed the
DIPNo1.—-The development of the dipnoan heart has formed the subject of a careful and exhaustive study by Robertson (1913) and her account of the (lm-“cl.0p1ne1'1t of the heart in Lepidoshen forms the basis of the following description. 376 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
subject of a careful and exhaustive study by Robertson (1913) and
her account of the (lm-“cl.0p1ne1'1t of the heart in Lepidoshen forms
the basis of the following description.
376 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


The first peculiarity to be noticed in comparison with the heart
The first peculiarity to be noticed in comparison with the heart of the Elasmobranch is correlated with the fact that the head and anterior trunk region of the embryo are bent downwards and closely applied to the surface of the yolk. As a consequence, the pericardiac space is reduced to a flat chink, the point of entrance and the point of exit of the cardiac tube being in close proximity to one another at its upper end. The result is that the cardiac tube as it grows in length assumes the form‘ of a flattened loop, first V-shaped (Fig. 179, A) and later Z5-shaped, the apex of the loop being directed in a ventral direction, and the originally posterior (tailward) limb of the loop (at) coming to lie to the left of the anterior limb (C). The cardiac tube becomes demarcated into the same set of chambers as in the Elasmobranch-——sinus venosus, atrium formed from the posterior limb of the cardiac loop, ventricle formed from the apical portion of the loop, and conus formed from the greater part of the anterior limb. The dilatation of the walls of the several chambers is not uniform. In the ease of the atrial wall the dilatation is most marked dorsally and more especially laterally: the posterior wall on the other hand lags behind in its growth and the result is that the sinu-atrial and atrioventrieular openings remain comparatively close to one another (compare adult condition as shown in Fig. 180). Similarly in the case of the ventricular portion of the heart the increase in size is mainly on the ventral and lateral sides, the dorsal wall lagging behind so that the communication between atrium and ventricle and that between ventricle and conus also remain in close proximity (cf. again Fig. 180).
of the Elasmobranch is correlated with the fact that the head and
anterior trunk region of the embryo are bent downwards and closely
applied to the surface of the yolk. As a consequence, the pericardiac
space is reduced to a flat chink, the point of entrance and the point
of exit of the cardiac tube being in close proximity to one another at
its upper end. The result is that the cardiac tube as it grows in
length assumes the form‘ of a flattened loop, first V-shaped (Fig.
179, A) and later Z5-shaped, the apex of the loop being directed in a
ventral direction, and the originally posterior (tailward) limb of the
loop (at) coming to lie to the left of the anterior limb (C). The
cardiac tube becomes demarcated into the same set of chambers
as in the Elasmobranch-——sinus venosus, atrium formed from the
posterior limb of the cardiac loop, ventricle formed from the
apical portion of the loop, and conus formed from the greater part
of the anterior limb. The dilatation of the walls of the several
chambers is not uniform. In the ease of the atrial wall the dilatation is most marked dorsally and more especially laterally: the
posterior wall on the other hand lags behind in its growth and the
result is that the sinu-atrial and atrioventrieular openings remain
comparatively close to one another (compare adult condition as
shown in Fig. 180). Similarly in the case of the ventricular portion
of the heart the increase in size is mainly on the ventral and
lateral sides, the dorsal wall lagging behind so that the communication between atrium and ventricle and that between ventricle and
conus also remain in close proximity (cf. again Fig. 180).


After the demarcation of the chambers there come about two
After the demarcation of the chambers there come about two important changes in the general form of the heart-—the first is the assumption of bilateral symmetry on the part of the ventricle, correlated with a rotation of the ventral side of the ventricle towards the animal's left side. The other consists of a very marked increase in the length of the conus which, owing to the fixation of its two ends, is made to assume the characteristic double flexure already described and illustrated (see also Fig. 179, 0).
important changes in the general form of the heart-—the first is the
assumption of bilateral symmetry on the part of the ventricle,
correlated with a rotation of the ventral side of the ventricle towards
the animal's left side. The other consists of a very marked increase
in the length of the conus which, owing to the fixation of its two
ends, is made to assume the characteristic double flexure already
described and illustrated (see also Fig. 179, 0).


DEVELOPMENT or SEPTA IN THE HEART. —- By far the most
DEVELOPMENT or SEPTA IN THE HEART. —- By far the most important feature of the Dipnoan heart, as compared with that of the Elasmobranch, is that now, for the first time, there comes about that separation of the heart into an arterial and a venous half, which is so characteristic of the higher Vertebrates. In Lepidosiren this separation is inaugurated at a relatively early stage of development (stage 27)—-at a time when the cardiac tube, as yet, shows no indication of a division into chambers—-by proliferation of the cells of the endocardium on its outer surface. This takes place along a. line which passes along the posterior wall of the U-shaped heart from the left side of the sinu-atrial opening, through the auricular canal down towards the apex of the cardiac loop. As this proliferation goes on it causes the endocardium to bulge into the lumen so as to form a prominent ridge traversing the hinder wall of atrium and v1 HEART OF LEPIDOSIREN 377
important feature of the Dipnoan heart, as compared with that of
the Elasmobranch, is that now, for the first time, there comes about
that separation of the heart into an arterial and a venous half,
which is so characteristic of the higher Vertebrates. In Lepidosiren
this separation is inaugurated at a relatively early stage of development (stage 27)—-at a time when the cardiac tube, as yet, shows no
indication of a division into chambers—-by proliferation of the cells
of the endocardium on its outer surface. This takes place along a.
line which passes along the posterior wall of the U-shaped heart
from the left side of the sinu-atrial opening, through the auricular
canal down towards the apex of the cardiac loop. As this proliferation goes on it causes the endocardium to bulge into the lumen so as
to form a prominent ridge traversing the hinder wall of atrium and
v1 HEART OF LEPIDOSIREN 377


ventricle. It is of morphological interest to notice that this atriaventricular ridge extends from its dorsal end not directly ventralwards but towards the animal’s right side, so that, if the ridge in
ventricle. It is of morphological interest to notice that this atriaventricular ridge extends from its dorsal end not directly ventralwards but towards the animal’s right side, so that, if the ridge in question be taken as marking an originally longitudinal line along the wall of the cardiac tube, it indicates that this part of the cardiac tube has undergone a process of twisting like that of a left-handed screw, in other words a twisting of the kind which might be expected on the hypothesis that the flexure of the atrioventricular portion of the heart was originally that suggested in the discussion on p. 372.
question be taken as marking an originally longitudinal line along
the wall of the cardiac tube, it indicates that this part of the cardiac
tube has undergone a process of twisting like that of a left-handed
screw, in other words a twisting of the kind which might be expected
on the hypothesis that the flexure of the atrioventricular portion of
the heart was originally that suggested in the discussion on p. 372.


A second endothelial proliferationtakes place along the atrial
A second endothelial proliferationtakes place along the atrial wall facing that on which the atrioventricular ridge has developed. The projection formed in this way grows towards and fuses with the atrioventricular ridge to form the atrial septum which divides the atrium into a larger right and a smaller left auricle. Owing to the left-handed position of the atrioventricular ridge at its dorsal end the sinus opens into the right auricle. The pulmonary vein as it develops comes to open on the left face of the septum, z'.e. into the left auricle.
wall facing that on which the atrioventricular ridge has developed.
The projection formed in this way grows towards and fuses with the
atrioventricular ridge to form the atrial septum which divides the
atrium into a larger right and a smaller left auricle. Owing to the
left-handed position of the atrioventricular ridge at its dorsal end
the sinus opens into the right auricle. The pulmonary vein as it
develops comes to open on the left face of the septum, z'.e. into the
left auricle.


The ventricle becomes similarly divided into a right and a left
The ventricle becomes similarly divided into a right and a left chamber1 the foundation of the septum consisting of the atrioventricular ridge already mentioned. I11 this case however Robertson does not describe any endocardiac proliferation mls-ct-mls to the ridge but says the septum is completed by muscular trabeculae growing towards and eventually fusing with the edge of the ridge.
chamber1 the foundation of the septum consisting of the atrioventricular ridge already mentioned. I11 this case however Robertson
does not describe any endocardiac proliferation mls-ct-mls to the
ridge but says the septum is completed by muscular trabeculae
growing towards and eventually fusing with the edge of the ridge.


The conus arteriosus is characterized by the development of a
The conus arteriosus is characterized by the development of a series of longitudinal endocardiac ridges similar in nature to those of Elasmobranchs. A conspicuous difference in detail is that each ridge is markedly discontinuous, the portions situated in the anterior and in the posterior section of the conus developing independently. We may take it that the ridges were primitively in the Vertebrata longitudinal and continuous and the secondary discontinuity visible in Lung-fishes and also in the higher Vertebrates may be associated with two probable causes: (1) interference with the development of the middle region of the conus by the flexure into which it is thrown, and (2) the tendency, as seen in Elasmobranchs and Ganoids, for the terminal members of the longitudinal rows of valves to become enlarged relatively to the rest. There can be no doubt that the longitudinal ridges as we see them in the Lung-fishes and the higher Vertebrates are revertive rather than persistent primitive features. In other words the ancestors of these Vertebrates passed through the phase of evolution in which each ridge had become converted into a row of pocket valves. This seems clearly indicated by the fact that the latter condition holds in modern Elasmobranchs and primitive Ganoids. But if so then the tendency for the terminal valves of the row to be specially developed in that earlier phase of evolution may show itself
series of longitudinal endocardiac ridges similar in nature to those
of Elasmobranchs. A conspicuous difference in detail is that each
ridge is markedly discontinuous, the portions situated in the
anterior and in the posterior section of the conus developing
independently. We may take it that the ridges were primitively
in the Vertebrata longitudinal and continuous and the secondary
discontinuity visible in Lung-fishes and also in the higher Vertebrates
may be associated with two probable causes: (1) interference with
the development of the middle region of the conus by the flexure
into which it is thrown, and (2) the tendency, as seen in
Elasmobranchs and Ganoids, for the terminal members of the
longitudinal rows of valves to become enlarged relatively to the
rest. There can be no doubt that the longitudinal ridges as we see
them in the Lung-fishes and the higher Vertebrates are revertive
rather than persistent primitive features. In other words the
ancestors of these Vertebrates passed through the phase of evolution
in which each ridge had become converted into a row of pocket
valves. This seems clearly indicated by the fact that the latter
condition holds in modern Elasmobranchs and primitive Ganoids.
But if so then the tendency for the terminal valves of the row to be
specially developed in that earlier phase of evolution may show itself


1 The separation does not normally become quite complete in the adult either in
1 The separation does not normally become quite complete in the adult either in the case of atrium or ventricle. 378 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
the case of atrium or ventricle.
378 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.


on reversion to the ridge condition in more or less great suppression
on reversion to the ridge condition in more or less great suppression or diminution of the middle portion of the ridge.
or diminution of the middle portion of the ridge.


In the anterior section of the conus four longitudinal ridges
In the anterior section of the conus four longitudinal ridges develop, situated respectively on the right-hand side (1), dorsally (2), on the left-hand side (3), and ventrally (4). This anterior end of the conus retains as already explained its primitive position and we shall therefore always refer to the four ridges according to the position they have in this undisturbed portion of the conus as Right, Dorsal, Left and Ventral respectively, the adverb morphologically being understood before the adjective in each case. The right and left ridges make their appearance first and they alone become prominent, forming thin shelf-like structures which project right in to the centre of the cavity so that their edges overlap. For a short distance at the extreme anterior end they become fused together so as to form a continuous septum. The left ridge is comparatively short, tapering off posteriorly, but the right extends back through the anterior and middle section of the conus. At the point of ilexurc between middle and posterior sections there is a break during early stages but later on the ridge becomes continuous witl1.a portion of ridge which projects from the ventral wall of the posterior section of the conus. There is no reason to doubt that this is really part of the same morphological structure as that with which it is in line in the anterior section of the conus and we shall therefore term it the posterior portion of the right ridge. The whole of this right ridge forms what is often called the spiral valve of the conus.
develop, situated respectively on the right-hand side (1), dorsally
(2), on the left-hand side (3), and ventrally (4). This anterior end
of the conus retains as already explained its primitive position and
we shall therefore always refer to the four ridges according to the
position they have in this undisturbed portion of the conus as Right,
Dorsal, Left and Ventral respectively, the adverb morphologically
being understood before the adjective in each case. The right and
left ridges make their appearance first and they alone become
prominent, forming thin shelf-like structures which project right
in to the centre of the cavity so that their edges overlap. For a
short distance at the extreme anterior end they become fused
together so as to form a continuous septum. The left ridge is
comparatively short, tapering off posteriorly, but the right extends
back through the anterior and middle section of the conus. At the
point of ilexurc between middle and posterior sections there is a
break during early stages but later on the ridge becomes continuous
witl1.a portion of ridge which projects from the ventral wall of the
posterior section of the conus. There is no reason to doubt that
this is really part of the same morphological structure as that with
which it is in line in the anterior section of the conus and we shall
therefore term it the posterior portion of the right ridge. The
whole of this right ridge forms what is often called the spiral valve
of the conus.


The dorsal and ventral ridges of the anterior section of the
The dorsal and ventral ridges of the anterior section of the conus are later than the lateral ridges in making their appearance and soon disappear again. The ventral ridge is especially feebly developed.
conus are later than the lateral ridges in making their appearance
and soon disappear again. The ventral ridge is especially feebly
developed.


In the posterior section of the conus the right ridge——now ventral
In the posterior section of the conus the right ridge——now ventral in position—is alone well developed. The other three appear as rudiments, they are at no time prominent and they become resolved into vestigial pocket valves which may still be detected in the adults. This latter fact justifies the conclusion already reached that during the ancestral history of the Lung-fishes a stage was passed through during which the conus was provided with longitudinal rows of functional pocket valves, in other words that the primitive ridges seen in the conus of the modern Lung-fish are revertive rather than persistent. VALVES OF THE HEART.——The sinu-auricular opening is guarded on the right side by a valve. This develops out of the inpushed fold of the cardiac Wall in the constriction between sinus and atrium. The atrioventricular opening is guarded by a highly characteristic bevelled plug (Fig. 180, AV.p) which when the ventricle contracts is pulled downwards so as completely to occlude the opening. Developmentally this plug arises as a thickening of the atrioventricular ridge. This ridge, which, as already indicated, VI HEART OF LEPIDOSIREN 379
in position—is alone well developed. The other three appear as
rudiments, they are at no time prominent and they become resolved
into vestigial pocket valves which may still be detected in the
adults. This latter fact justifies the conclusion already reached
that during the ancestral history of the Lung-fishes a stage was passed
through during which the conus was provided with longitudinal
rows of functional pocket valves, in other words that the primitive
ridges seen in the conus of the modern Lung-fish are revertive
rather than persistent.
VALVES OF THE HEART.——The sinu-auricular opening is guarded
on the right side by a valve. This develops out of the inpushed
fold of the cardiac Wall in the constriction between sinus and
atrium. The atrioventricular opening is guarded by a highly
characteristic bevelled plug (Fig. 180, AV.p) which when the
ventricle contracts is pulled downwards so as completely to occlude
the opening. Developmentally this plug arises as a thickening of
the atrioventricular ridge. This ridge, which, as already indicated,
VI HEART OF LEPIDOSIREN 379


forms the common foundation of auricular and ventricular septum,
forms the common foundation of auricular and ventricular septum, traverses the auricular canal, projecting into it from behind so as to give the atrioventricular opening a horse-shoe shape. It is the part which lies above (dorsal to) the opening which becomes thickened and eventually assumes a cartilaginous character to form the plug. The plug is to be regarded as the homologue of the posterior atrioventricular cushion of Elasmobranchs but Robertson failed to find any trace of an anterior cushion.
traverses the auricular canal, projecting into it from behind so as
to give the atrioventricular opening a horse-shoe shape. It is the
part which lies above (dorsal to) the opening which becomes
thickened and eventually assumes a cartilaginous character to form
the plug. The plug is to be regarded as the homologue of the
posterior atrioventricular cushion of Elasmobranchs but Robertson
failed to find any trace of an anterior cushion.


The conus in the completely developed state is characterized by
The conus in the completely developed state is characterized by the absence of the functional valvular apparatus found in its homologue in other Vertebrates. On the one hand the endocardiac ridges, functional in the young Elasmobranch or Ganoid, are no
the absence of the functional valvular apparatus found in its
homologue in other Vertebrates. On the one hand the endocardiac
ridges, functional in the young Elasmobranch or Ganoid, are no


I
I


Fm. 180.-—-Heart of an adult Lepi«.losiren with the right side removeal.
Fm. 180.-—-Heart of an adult Lepi«.losiren with the right side removeal. (After J. Robertson, 1913.)
(After J. Robertson, 1913.)
 
AV.p, atrinventricuhw plug; ¢i'.'v, corona:-_v vein (cul'.); d.(j'. ducts of (Juviur; pm, pulnum:u'_\' vein; -p.V.4:, pu.~;t.orio1- \'t‘l'l{1('.‘l\'{l. at its opening into the sinus \'¢-.n0.\'uS: .~'..-L atrial sq-pt.um ; .~'.l', \'eut1'icul:11' h'l!])l-lllll; .~-. 1', sinus \'a-.nosus (its opening into the rigI1t:uu'ix-lo- illulit-:|lI'!l lay an :n-1-nu‘); .-p, .~:piI':Il \':l1\'4!: Ill, V1, aortic arches out near their ventral ends.


AV.p, atrinventricuhw plug; ¢i'.'v, corona:-_v vein (cul'.); d.(j'. ducts of (Juviur; pm, pulnum:u'_\' vein;
longer in a condition to fulfil their original function and on the other the pocket valves are here vestigial.
-p.V.4:, pu.~;t.orio1- \'t‘l'l{1('.‘l\'{l. at its opening into the sinus \'¢-.n0.\'uS: .~'..-L atrial sq-pt.um ; .~'.l', \'eut1'icul:11'
h'l!])l-lllll; .~-. 1', sinus \'a-.nosus (its opening into the rigI1t:uu'ix-lo- illulit-:|lI'!l lay an :n-1-nu‘); .-p, .~:piI':Il \':l1\'4!:
Ill, V1, aortic arches out near their ventral ends.


longer in a condition to fulfil their original function and on the
MUSCULARIZATION or rm: HEAnr.——Bud-like projections from the myocardium grow into the cavity of the heart, meet together and in the ventricle form a muscular spongework of the same type as that seen in Elasmobranchs. In the case of the ventricle numerous trabeculae arising in this way converge upon the free edge of the atrioventricular ridge and become continuous with it. As development goes on this spongy mass of trabeculae undergoes condensation arid acquires the solid character of the fully developed septum. The septum is continuous dorsally with the atri'ove11tricular plug and it forms a muscular apparatus by which the plug is pulled down so as to fit into and close the opening. The myocardium of the auricular 380 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.
other the pocket valves are here vestigial.


MUSCULARIZATION or rm: HEAnr.——Bud-like projections from
canal and of the conus never forms a spongework but remains as a compact layer of muscle. In the case of the conus this muscular coat is very feebly developed in the middle and cephalic portionsin which fact we may probably recognize a degenerative feature seeing that in the Elasmobranch the conus musculature is well developed right to its front end. The meshes of the ventricular spongework, as development goes on, come to spread somewhat round the auricular canal and round the ventricular end of the conus, so that each of these structures has the appearance of being drawn into the ventricular cavity.
the myocardium grow into the cavity of the heart, meet together
and in the ventricle form a muscular spongework of the same type
as that seen in Elasmobranchs. In the case of the ventricle numerous
trabeculae arising in this way converge upon the free edge of the
atrioventricular ridge and become continuous with it. As development goes on this spongy mass of trabeculae undergoes condensation
arid acquires the solid character of the fully developed septum. The
septum is continuous dorsally with the atri'ove11tricular plug and it
forms a muscular apparatus by which the plug is pulled down so as
to fit into and close the opening. The myocardium of the auricular
380 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.


canal and of the conus never forms a spongework but remains as a
SAUROI*sI1)A.~——'l‘hc most exhaustive account of the development of a Sauropsidan heart is that dealing with Lucerta by Grreil (1903) and upon it the following description is based. ln its early stages the heart passes through the familiar tubular form and becomes bent, first bulging in a simple curve towards the right and then assuming a double S-like curvature just as in the Elasmobranch. About stage 17-18 the constriction of the heart into sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus becomes apparent—the three last mentioned chambers bulging outwards between the grooves which limit them. The atrial portion does not in these early stages take up the purely dorsal position seen in the Elasmobranch or Lung-fish but remains for a time well to the left.
compact layer of muscle. In the case of the conus this muscular
coat is very feebly developed in the middle and cephalic portionsin which fact we may probably recognize a degenerative feature seeing that in the Elasmobranch the conus musculature is well developed
right to its front end. The meshes of the ventricular spongework, as
development goes on, come to spread somewhat round the auricular
canal and round the ventricular end of the conus, so that each of
these structures has the appearance of being drawn into the ventricular cavity.


SAUROI*sI1)A.~——'l‘hc most exhaustive account of the development
The conus, in its early stages, much reduced in relative size as compared with that of the Elasmobranch, undergoes a marked increase in length, which causes it to assume a bayonet-shaped curvature in which we may see a reminiscence of the sharp double flexure seen in the conus of the Lung-fish. In the Lizard however this curvature of the conus is merely temporary. As development goes on the increase in length of the conus instead of being more pronounced than that of the heart as a whole becomes less so with the result that between stages 21 and 26 the anterior flexure of the conus becomes pulled out and replaced by a right-handed spiral twist.
of a Sauropsidan heart is that dealing with Lucerta by Grreil (1903)
and upon it the following description is based. ln its early stages
the heart passes through the familiar tubular form and becomes bent,
first bulging in a simple curve towards the right and then assuming
a double S-like curvature just as in the Elasmobranch. About stage
17-18 the constriction of the heart into sinus venosus, atrium,
ventricle and conus becomes apparent—the three last mentioned
chambers bulging outwards between the grooves which limit them.
The atrial portion does not in these early stages take up the purely
dorsal position seen in the Elasmobranch or Lung-fish but remains
for a time well to the left.


The conus, in its early stages, much reduced in relative size as
DEVELOPMENT or SEPTA.-—Tl1e septation of the heart is inaugurated by the appearance of localized proliferation of the endocardiac lining. In the auricular canal, which runs in an antero-posterior direction rather than dorsi-ventrally, owing to the atrium lying anterior to the ventricle instead of dorsal to it as was the case in the Lung-fish, there develop two endocardiac cushions, one dorsal (posterior), the other ventral (anterior). Of these the ventral or anterior one which was not apparent in Lepidosiren is well developed and is continued as an endocardiac ridge round the anterior (headward) wall of the atrium on to its roof (compare Fig. 183, C, was). As development goes on this projects more and more prominently into the cavity of the atrium and forms the main part of the septum between the two auricles. By about stage 26 it has grown halt’-way across the atrial cavity, and by about stage 29 it reaches the auricular canal. While in a sense the atrial septum is now complete it is not so physiologically VI HEART OF LACERTA 381
compared with that of the Elasmobranch, undergoes a marked increase
in length, which causes it to assume a bayonet-shaped curvature in
which we may see a reminiscence of the sharp double flexure seen in
the conus of the Lung-fish. In the Lizard however this curvature
of the conus is merely temporary. As development goes on the
increase in length of the conus instead of being more pronounced
than that of the heart as a whole becomes less so with the result
that between stages 21 and 26 the anterior flexure of the
conus becomes pulled out and replaced by a right-handed spiral
twist.


DEVELOPMENT or SEPTA.-—Tl1e septation of the heart is inaugurated
as secondary perforations have made their appearance in the septum so as to keep the two auricular cavities in free communication. The two endocardiac cushions of the auricular canal become joined together by a bridge of endocardiac tissue which forms the free edge of the auricular septum. This is followed by a complete fusion taking place between the middle parts of the two cushions, so that the atrioventricular opening becomes completely divided into a larger right and a smaller left portion. The, at first, thick mass of tissue which separates these two openings becomes gradually converted into a thin plate, situated in the plane separating atrium from ventricle, and therefore perpendicular to the plane of the atrial septum. This plate is divided sagittally into a right and a left half by its line of attachment to the septum. The free edge of each half is concave and projects freely into the corresponding auriculoventricular opening—forming the mesial or septal valve of that opening.
by the appearance of localized proliferation of the endocardiac lining.
In the auricular canal, which runs in an antero-posterior direction
rather than dorsi-ventrally, owing to the atrium lying anterior to the
ventricle instead of dorsal to it as was the case in the Lung-fish,
there develop two endocardiac cushions, one dorsal (posterior), the
other ventral (anterior). Of these the ventral or anterior one which
was not apparent in Lepidosiren is well developed and is continued
as an endocardiac ridge round the anterior (headward) wall of the
atrium on to its roof (compare Fig. 183, C, was). As development
goes on this projects more and more prominently into the cavity of
the atrium and forms the main part of the septum between the two
auricles. By about stage 26 it has grown halt’-way across the atrial
cavity, and by about stage 29 it reaches the auricular canal. While in
a sense the atrial septum is now complete it is not so physiologically
VI HEART OF LACERTA 381


as secondary perforations have made their appearance in the septum
In the meantime a new endocardiac cushion develops on what were the right and left sides of the auricular canal. These also become thin flaps and form the lateral auriculoventricular valves. It will be noticed that there have developed round the original atrioveutricular opening few proliferations of endocardium—--the same number as was found in the conus of the Lung -fish and as will be found in the conus of the Amniota, thus supporting the idea that there are four longitudinal endocardiac ridges potentially present throughout the cardiac tube of the higher Vertebrates though they may become actually apparent only in the conus region.
so as to keep the two auricular cavities in free communication. The
two endocardiac cushions of the auricular canal become joined
together by a bridge of endocardiac tissue which forms the free edge
of the auricular septum. This is followed by a complete fusion
taking place between the middle parts of the two cushions, so that
the atrioventricular opening becomes completely divided into a larger
right and a smaller left portion. The, at first, thick mass of tissue
which separates these two openings becomes gradually converted into
a thin plate, situated in the plane separating atrium from ventricle,
and therefore perpendicular to the plane of the atrial septum. This
plate is divided sagittally into a right and a left half by its line of
attachment to the septum. The free edge of each half is concave
and projects freely into the corresponding auriculoventricular
opening—forming the mesial or septal valve of that opening.


In the meantime a new endocardiac cushion develops on what
In the Lizard the atrioventricular ridge, which was so conspicuous in the Lung-fish, has practically become reduced to the portion lying within the auricular canal—the dorsal (posterior) endocardiac cushion. The ventricle is undivided.
were the right and left sides of the auricular canal. These also
become thin flaps and form the lateral auriculoventricular valves.
It will be noticed that there have developed round the original
atrioveutricular opening few proliferations of endocardium—--the
same number as was found in the conus of the Lung -fish and
as will be found in the conus of the Amniota, thus supporting the
idea that there are four longitudinal endocardiac ridges potentially
present throughout the cardiac tube of the higher Vertebrates though
they may become actually apparent only in the conus region.


In the Lizard the atrioventricular ridge, which was so conspicuous
The conus on the other hand undergoes a complete and somewhat complicated process of septation. This is inaugurated by localized proliferation of the endocardium to form longitudinal ridges. As in the Lung-fish these arise discontinuously there being distinct anterior (headward) and posterior rudiments. Anteriorly the normal four ridges develop, the dorsal and ventral appearing in this case at an earlier stage (17 or 18) than the lateral ones. Towards the ventricular end two ridges first make their appearance in a dorsal (ridge B, Greil) and ventral situation (A, Greil) respectively. Of these the ventral one becomes eventually continuous with the right-hand anterior rudiment. It clearly corresponds with the similarly situated ridge in the hinder portion of the conus of Lepirlrisiren and like it is to be interpreted as the hinder portion of the morphologically righthand ridge. The ridge mls-ft-vie to that just mentioned, here dorsal in position, would similarly represent the hinder portion of the morphologically left-hand ridge. Later on a small and transient ridge (0, Grreil) makes its appearance on the right-hand wall of this hinder portion of the conus and this would represent the hinder portion of the morphologically dorsal ridge. 382 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
in the Lung-fish, has practically become reduced to the portion lying
within the auricular canal—the dorsal (posterior) endocardiac cushion.
The ventricle is undivided.


The conus on the other hand undergoes a complete and somewhat
As development goes on the wall of the conus becomes changed in histological character, its striped muscles become replaced by smooth and in general it takes on the ordinary features of arterial wall so that it resembles a portion of the ventral aorta rather than of the heart. As may be seen in a living embryo this histological change is accompanied by a physiological one, for the rhythmic contractions of the heart are seen now to extend forwards as far as the anterior limit of the striped Inuscle but no farther. Altogether the superficial ‘appearance is just as if the ventral aorta (“ truncus arteriosus ”) were extending backwards at the expense of the conus, and the word truncus is frequently used to include the whole as far back as the limit for the time being of the smooth non-striated muscular wall. It must however not be forgotten that in the strict morphological sense all that part of the heart is conus which corresponds to the conus of Lepvldosiren. 'l‘he special criterion which identifies it is
complicated process of septation. This is inaugurated by localized
proliferation of the endocardium to form longitudinal ridges. As in
the Lung-fish these arise discontinuously there being distinct anterior
(headward) and posterior rudiments. Anteriorly the normal four
ridges develop, the dorsal and ventral appearing in this case at an
earlier stage (17 or 18) than the lateral ones. Towards the ventricular
end two ridges first make their appearance in a dorsal (ridge B,
Greil) and ventral situation (A, Greil) respectively. Of these the
ventral one becomes eventually continuous with the right-hand
anterior rudiment. It clearly corresponds with the similarly situated
ridge in the hinder portion of the conus of Lepirlrisiren and like it is
to be interpreted as the hinder portion of the morphologically righthand ridge. The ridge mls-ft-vie to that just mentioned, here dorsal
in position, would similarly represent the hinder portion of the
morphologically left-hand ridge. Later on a small and transient
ridge (0, Grreil) makes its appearance on the right-hand wall of
this hinder portion of the conus and this would represent the
hinder portion of the morphologically dorsal ridge.
382 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


As development goes on the wall of the conus becomes changed
in histological character, its striped muscles become replaced by
smooth and in general it takes on the ordinary features of arterial
wall so that it resembles a portion of the ventral aorta rather than
of the heart. As may be seen in a living embryo this histological
change is accompanied by a physiological one, for the rhythmic
contractions of the heart are seen now to extend forwards as far as
the anterior limit of the striped Inuscle but no farther. Altogether
the superficial ‘appearance is just as if the ventral aorta (“ truncus
arteriosus ”) were extending backwards at the expense of the conus,
and the word truncus is frequently used to include the whole as far back
as the limit for the time being of the smooth non-striated muscular
wall. It must however not be forgotten that in the strict morphological sense all that part of the heart is conus which corresponds to
the conus of Lepvldosiren. 'l‘he special criterion which identifies it is


 
Fm. 18l.—~—l)iagraminatic transverse sections through conus of I.a.ce~rta ( A) and Gallus B to show the endocardiac rid res and the iocket valves. la


Fm. 18l.—~—l)iagraminatic transverse sections through conus of I.a.ce~rta ( A) and Gallus
1, morphologically right ridge; 2, dorsal; 3, left; and 4, ventral. a and I2, problematieal ridges discussed in text; 12, pulmomuy cavity ; 8, main systemic; (.5, left systemic cavity.
B to show the endocardiac rid res and the iocket valves.
la


1, morphologically right ridge; 2, dorsal; 3, left; and 4, ventral. a and I2, problematieal ridges
the appearance of double flexure or the resultant spiral coiling during its development. The muscular coating, so characteristic a feature in the vertebrates below the Amniota, is associated with a definite type of functional activity: in the Amniota that type of functional activity has disappeared and with it the characteristic type of wall. The ventral aorta is in its hinder portion, where it becomes continuous with the front end of the conus, divided1 into a dorsal (pulmonary) and a ventral (aortic) cavity by a horizontal septum and this is prolonged backwards along the wall of the conus by the right and left ridges. Of these the right is very large, it projects across the lumen and gradually fuses with the left ridge (Fig. 181, A). This ridge (3) is low and double and it is with its dorsal portion,
discussed in text; 12, pulmomuy cavity ; 8, main systemic; (.5, left systemic cavity.


the appearance of double flexure or the resultant spiral coiling during
i.e. the portion next the dorsal ridge, that the fusion takes place.
its development. The muscular coating, so characteristic a feature in
By the spreading backwards of this process of fusion of the right and left ridges the horizontal septum of the ventral aorta becomes prolonged back as a septum in the conus——no longer horizontal
the vertebrates below the Amniota, is associated with a definite
type of functional activity: in the Amniota that type of functional
activity has disappeared and with it the characteristic type of wall.
The ventral aorta is in its hinder portion, where it becomes
continuous with the front end of the conus, divided1 into a dorsal
(pulmonary) and a ventral (aortic) cavity by a horizontal septum
and this is prolonged backwards along the wall of the conus by the
right and left ridges. Of these the right is very large, it projects
across the lumen and gradually fuses with the left ridge (Fig. 181, A).
This ridge (3) is low and double and it is with its dorsal portion,
*i.e. the portion next the dorsal ridge, that the fusion takes place.
By the spreading backwards of this process of fusion of the right
and left ridges the horizontal septum of the ventral aorta becomes
prolonged back as a septum in the conus——no longer horizontal


1 See below, p. 393.
1 See below, p. 393. VI’ HEART OF LACERTA 383
VI’ HEART OF LACERTA 383


however but spirally twisted owing to the twisting of the conus
however but spirally twisted owing to the twisting of the conus already mentioned. Parallel with and preparatory to this process of fusion the distal ridge rudiments spread backwards, pursuing a spiral course and thus making evident the spiral twisting of the conus as a whole. It is interesting to notice that the line of insertion of the ridges, and therefore of the septum formed by their fusion, becomes marked on the outer surface of the conus by a distinct incision--a preliminary step towards the complete splitting of the conus in the plane of the septum which takes place in Birds and in Mammals.
already mentioned. Parallel with and preparatory to this process of
fusion the distal ridge rudiments spread backwards, pursuing a spiral
course and thus making evident the spiral twisting of the conus as a
whole. It is interesting to notice that the line of insertion of the
ridges, and therefore of the septum formed by their fusion, becomes
marked on the outer surface of the conus by a distinct incision--a
preliminary step towards the complete splitting of the conus in the
plane of the septum which takes place in Birds and in Mammals.


In addition to the dividing of the cavity of the conus into a
In addition to the dividing of the cavity of the conus into a pulmonary and an aortic portion in the manner just described there takes place also, in the Lizard, a splitting of the aortic portion into two parts, corresponding to the right and left halves into which the systemic portion of the ventral aorta is divided} The septum separating these becomes prolonged backwards at its hinder end, on the one hand, into the ventral ridge of the conus (Fig. 181, A,‘4) and on the other into a quite similar ridge developed upon the surface of the septum which separates the aortic from the pulmonary (Fig. 181, A, 1). These two ridges facing one another across the aortic cavity gradually extend backwards and undergo fusion just as in the other case so as to form a complete septum dividing the aortic cavity into two (S and l.s).
pulmonary and an aortic portion in the manner just described there
takes place also, in the Lizard, a splitting of the aortic portion into
two parts, corresponding to the right and left halves into which the
systemic portion of the ventral aorta is divided} The septum
separating these becomes prolonged backwards at its hinder end, on
the one hand, into the ventral ridge of the conus (Fig. 181, A,‘4)
and on the other into a quite similar ridge developed upon the
surface of the septum which separates the aortic from the pulmonary
(Fig. 181, A, 1). These two ridges facing one another across the
aortic cavity gradually extend backwards and undergo fusion just as
in the other case so as to form a complete septum dividing the
aortic cavity into two (S and l.s).


In this waythen the original conus becomes replaced by a set of
In this waythen the original conus becomes replaced by a set of three tubes twisted spirally round one another, forming the roots of the two systemic aortae and of the pulmonary artery, still however enclosed in a common wall.
three tubes twisted spirally round one another, forming the roots of
the two systemic aortae and of the pulmonary artery, still however
enclosed in a common wall.


VALVES on THE HEART.———-The right and left valves which guard
VALVES on THE HEART.———-The right and left valves which guard the opening from sinus into atrium are formed simply by the exaggeration of the fold of the cardiac wall which delimits these two chambers from one another. The origin of the auriculoventricular valves has already been described. The pocket valves of the systemic aortae and pulmonary artery are derived from the endoeardiac ridges of the conus as in the Elasmobranch. According to Langer (1894) the outer valve in each of the three vessels (pulmonary artery, left systemic aorta, right systemic aorta) are derived from the Dorsal, Left and Ventral endoeardiac ridges (2, 3 and 4) respectively, while the inner valve in all three is derived from the hypertrophied Right ridge (1), which with its outgrowth takes part in the formation of all three vessels (Fig. 181, A).
the opening from sinus into atrium are formed simply by the
exaggeration of the fold of the cardiac wall which delimits these two
chambers from one another. The origin of the auriculoventricular
valves has already been described. The pocket valves of the systemic
aortae and pulmonary artery are derived from the endoeardiac ridges
of the conus as in the Elasmobranch. According to Langer (1894)
the outer valve in each of the three vessels (pulmonary artery, left
systemic aorta, right systemic aorta) are derived from the Dorsal, Left
and Ventral endoeardiac ridges (2, 3 and 4) respectively, while the
inner valve in all three is derived from the hypertrophied Right
ridge (1), which with its outgrowth takes part in the formation
of all three vessels (Fig. 181, A).


The question as to whether or not the pocket valve is formed
The question as to whether or not the pocket valve is formed from the extreme ventricular end of the conus ridge, or whether on the other hand a considerable portion of this end of the conus with its contained ridges becomes incorporated in the ventricle as maintained by Langer and Greil does not appear to the present writer to be satisfactorily settled. It is advisable that the point should be re-investigated upon abundant material.
from the extreme ventricular end of the conus ridge, or whether on
the other hand a considerable portion of this end of the conus with
its contained ridges becomes incorporated in the ventricle as
maintained by Langer and Greil does not appear to the present
writer to be satisfactorily settled. It is advisable that the point
should be re-investigated upon abundant material.


GALLUS.-—-(Figs. 182 and 183.) The most detailed investigations
GALLUS.-—-(Figs. 182 and 183.) The most detailed investigations


1 See below, p. 393.
1 See below, p. 393. 384 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
384 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


of the development of the Bird's heart are those of Greil, of which
of the development of the Bird's heart are those of Greil, of which unfortunately there is available so far only the abstract given by Hochstettcr (1906). As we should expect from the close genetic relationship between Birds and Reptiles there is a close correspondence between the general features of the development of the heart in the two cases. It will suflice then to draw attention to the more i1npu1‘l):'mt points in which the development of the Fowl’s heart has
unfortunately there is available so far only the abstract given by
Hochstettcr (1906). As we should expect from the close genetic
relationship between Birds and Reptiles there is a close correspondence between the general features of the development of the heart
in the two cases. It will suflice then to draw attention to the more
i1npu1‘l):'mt points in which the development of the Fowl’s heart has


FIG. 182.—Il1ustrating the development of the heart in the fowl.
FIG. 182.—Il1ustrating the development of the heart in the fowl. (After original drawings by (_i1'cil.)
(After original drawings by (_i1'cil.)


at, atrium; h.u..f, bulho-auricular fold :'«-_, l-onus; Lu, ll-ft zuu-iule; Li, left im|mnin:u«- urlo-ry; I.-,2,
at, atrium; h.u..f, bulho-auricular fold :'«-_, l-onus; Lu, ll-ft zuu-iule; Li, left im|mnin:u«- urlo-ry; I.-,2, left pulmmnat-_v; I.l-', left. \‘l'ntl'i('l4-; r.vI, ri;_'l1l Ill1l‘l(,‘ll'f, r.'i, 1-iglnt. lllll()llllll{l.tl'. :u-Lory; r.p, right. pulmonary; r.l-’, l'i;.',‘l1t vent:-ii.-la-; .-..l, s_ysl.<-urn-:u.1-t:.a.
left pulmmnat-_v; I.l-', left. \‘l'ntl'i('l4-; r.vI, ri;_'l1l Ill1l‘l(,‘ll'f, r.'i, 1-iglnt. lllll()llllll{l.tl'. :u-Lory; r.p, right.
pulmonary; r.l-’, l'i;.',‘l1t vent:-ii.-la-; .-..l, s_ysl.<-urn-:u.1-t:.a.


been found to differ from that of Lace-rta. So far as external form is
been found to differ from that of Lace-rta. So far as external form is concerned the most striking difference is that the sinus venosus loses its identity as a distinct chamber of the heart. It becomes as it were incorporated in the right auricle, all except its left portion which persists as the cardiac end of the left duct of Cnvier or anterior Vena Cava.
concerned the most striking difference is that the sinus venosus
loses its identity as a distinct chamber of the heart. It becomes as
it were incorporated in the right auricle, all except its left portion
which persists as the cardiac end of the left duct of Cnvier or
anterior Vena Cava.


An important advance upon the condition in Lacerta is found in
An important advance upon the condition in Lacerta is found in the division of the ventricular part of the heart into a right and a VI HEART OF BIRDS . 385
the division of the ventricular part of the heart into a right and a
VI HEART OF BIRDS . 385


left ventricle. This (li_visi<.m. comes about in a somewhat complicated
left ventricle. This (li_visi<.m. comes about in a somewhat complicated fashion the chief points in which, judging from Greil and Hoolistetter’s descriptions and figures, appear to be as follows. The ventricular portion of the cardiac tube is at an early stage encroached upon by the deep (“ bulbo-auricular ”) fold which separates the conus
fashion the chief points in which, judging from Greil and Hoolistetter’s descriptions and figures, appear to be as follows. The
ventricular portion of the cardiac tube is at an early stage encroached
upon by the deep (“ bulbo-auricular ”) fold which separates the conus


Fm. lRfi.--~--St.:1._r_ges in the development of the heart of the Fowl, viewed from the right
Fm. lRfi.--~--St.:1._r_ges in the development of the heart of the Fowl, viewed from the right Shite. 'l‘l1crigllt wall of the heart has been removed in each case. (After original ilI'it\\'lll;:_'S lay (‘nu-.il.)
Shite. 'l‘l1crigllt wall of the heart has been removed in each case. (After original
ilI'it\\'lll;:_'S lay (‘nu-.il.)


.1, 1.’, proxini.-:1. «_-nals oi‘ l'l(l".."'I‘S of eonus; uI.._-. atrial .-.«-.pl.un'1; h.n,.r, bulbo-auricular ri«l_:_-,-e ; a._-, r-onus
.1, 1.’, proxini.-:1. «_-nals oi‘ l'l(l".."'I‘S of eonus; uI.._-. atrial .-.«-.pl.un'1; h.n,.r, bulbo-auricular ri«l_:_-,-e ; a._-, r-onus arteriosus; i.-v./; llll.(‘i'\‘l‘lIl..l‘iC|ll:ll' 1'<.n':I.m«-u; r'.r..~', tralu__-<-.ul:u- portion of ventricular septum; La, left auriele; p, pu|mcnar_\- ;u-1..-,-_y; -r.u, ri_v_,--ht. auriclo-; r.r.c, rut. surface of endocardiae tissue of atrioventricular opening; 2-.1’, cavil _y oh-i;_,rl'it ventricle : .-, .~:ystennic aorta ; V, ventricle ; 1, ‘2, 3, conus ridges.
arteriosus; i.-v./; llll.(‘i'\‘l‘lIl..l‘iC|ll:ll' 1'<.n':I.m«-u; r'.r..~', tralu__-<-.ul:u- portion of ventricular septum; La, left
auriele; p, pu|mcnar_\- ;u-1..-,-_y; -r.u, ri_v_,--ht. auriclo-; r.r.c, rut. surface of endocardiae tissue of atrioventricular opening; 2-.1’, cavil _y oh-i;_,rl'it ventricle : .-, .~:ystennic aorta ; V, ventricle ; 1, ‘2, 3, conus ridges.


from the atrial part of the heart (Fig. 182, A, b.at.f). The encroachment of this fold gives the ventricular part of the tube a squat
from the atrial part of the heart (Fig. 182, A, b.at.f). The encroachment of this fold gives the ventricular part of the tube a squat


U-shape. As the ventricle dilates the extent of the encroachment
U-shape. As the ventricle dilates the extent of the encroachment becomes reduced and the fold may now be called the bulbo-auricular
becomes reduced and the fold may now be called the bulbo-auricular


ridge of the heart-lining (Fig. 183, A, b.a,.'r). During the fourth
ridge of the heart-lining (Fig. 183, A, b.a,.'r). During the fourth


day this becomes extended tailwards along the ventral wall of the
day this becomes extended tailwards along the ventral wall of the VOL. II . 2 0 386 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
VOL. II . 2 0
386 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


ventricle (Fig. 181?», B, C, b.a..'r) the ridge and its extension forming
ventricle (Fig. 181?», B, C, b.a..'r) the ridge and its extension forming the rudiment of the anterior portion of the ventricular septum. The remaining and larger portion of the septum arises otherwise, from a local exaggeration of the muscular trabeculae which in the Bird, as in lower forms, sprout into the ventricular cavity so as to convert the peripheral portion of that cavity into a sponge—work. This spo11gc—work becomes exaggerated in the prominence and thickness of its trabeculae along a plane marked on the external surface of the heart by a distinct groove-——thc interventricular groove (Fig. 182, (J). This trabecular part of the septum (Fig. 183, O, i.'v.s) is at first loose and spongy but it gradually becomes condensed, at first along its thickened free edge, and loses its spongy character. It gradually extends forwards and becomes continuous on the one hand with the bulbo-auricular portion and on the other with the septum of the auricular canal. The ventricular cavity is now divided into a right and a left chamber except at its anterior end where there remains an interventricular foramen (Fig. 18;}, 1), lt will be realized that but for the presence of this foramen the blood could not circulate, as the only means of exit from the ventricle the opening leading into the conus——lies completely on one side (right) of the original bulbo-auricular fold and, therefore, of the ventricular septum of uhich the fold in question forms a part. As a matter of fact this interventricular foramen never disappears, though it loses its right to that name, for it becomes continued as a groove over the surface of the mass of endocardiac tissue lying between it and the conus. Eventually this groove becomes overgrown by its edges and converted into a tubular channel, continuous on the one hand—— through the original interventricular foramen——-with the cavity of the left ventricle and on the other with the systemic or aortic cavity of the conus. rfhis tubular channel persists in the adult condition——as the communication between left ventricle and systemic aorta. _
the rudiment of the anterior portion of the ventricular septum.
The remaining and larger portion of the septum arises otherwise,
from a local exaggeration of the muscular trabeculae which in the
Bird, as in lower forms, sprout into the ventricular cavity so as to
convert the peripheral portion of that cavity into a sponge—work.
This spo11gc—work becomes exaggerated in the prominence and thickness of its trabeculae along a plane marked on the external surface
of the heart by a distinct groove-——thc interventricular groove
(Fig. 182, (J). This trabecular part of the septum (Fig. 183, O, i.'v.s) is
at first loose and spongy but it gradually becomes condensed, at first
along its thickened free edge, and loses its spongy character. It
gradually extends forwards and becomes continuous on the one hand
with the bulbo-auricular portion and on the other with the septum of
the auricular canal. The ventricular cavity is now divided into a
right and a left chamber except at its anterior end where there
remains an interventricular foramen (Fig. 18;}, 1), lt will be
realized that but for the presence of this foramen the blood could
not circulate, as the only means of exit from the ventricle the
opening leading into the conus——lies completely on one side (right) of
the original bulbo-auricular fold and, therefore, of the ventricular
septum of uhich the fold in question forms a part. As a matter of
fact this interventricular foramen never disappears, though it loses
its right to that name, for it becomes continued as a groove over the
surface of the mass of endocardiac tissue lying between it and the
conus. Eventually this groove becomes overgrown by its edges and
converted into a tubular channel, continuous on the one hand——
through the original interventricular foramen——-with the cavity of
the left ventricle and on the other with the systemic or aortic
cavity of the conus. rfhis tubular channel persists in the adult
condition——as the communication between left ventricle and
systemic aorta. _


Finally, before leaving the intcrventricular septuln, it has to be
Finally, before leaving the intcrventricular septuln, it has to be mentioned that dorsally (Fig. 183, 1)) it becomes continuous with the bridge of endocardiac tissue which divides the atrioventricular opening into a right and left half, the ventricular side of this bridge growing out to meet the trabeeular part of the septum. The atrial side of the bridge is continuous with the atrial septum, which develops here as in Lacerta, and the result is that the main part of the heart is now divided into two halves, the left auricle opening into the left ventricle and the right auricle opening into the right ventricle (Fig. 183, E). It is to be noted however that secondary perforations appear in the atrial septum (Fig. 183, E, at.s)—so as to allow the systemic blood which enters the right auricle from the sinus venosus to reach the left auricle, and through it the_left ventricle, without having to traverse the pulmonary circulation during the period before the lungs are functional. VI HEART OF BIRDS 387
mentioned that dorsally (Fig. 183, 1)) it becomes continuous with the
bridge of endocardiac tissue which divides the atrioventricular
opening into a right and left half, the ventricular side of this bridge
growing out to meet the trabeeular part of the septum. The
atrial side of the bridge is continuous with the atrial septum, which
develops here as in Lacerta, and the result is that the main part of
the heart is now divided into two halves, the left auricle opening
into the left ventricle and the right auricle opening into the right
ventricle (Fig. 183, E). It is to be noted however that secondary
perforations appear in the atrial septum (Fig. 183, E, at.s)—so as
to allow the systemic blood which enters the right auricle from
the sinus venosus to reach the left auricle, and through it the_left
ventricle, without having to traverse the pulmonary circulation
during the period before the lungs are functional.
VI HEART OF BIRDS 387


of its development the ventricular portion of the heart undergoes a
of its development the ventricular portion of the heart undergoes a certain amount of rotation, the right ventricle becoming displaced somewhat towards the left side, ventrally to the left ventricle. The result of this is to undo to a small extent the spiral twist of the oonus.
certain amount of rotation, the right ventricle becoming displaced
somewhat towards the left side, ventrally to the left ventricle. The
result of this is to undo to a small extent the spiral twist of the
oonus.


'l‘he conus of the Fowl develops typical endocardiac ridges, here
'l‘he conus of the Fowl develops typical endocardiac ridges, here however only three in number, and the individual ridges retain a more nearly primitive condition in that in early stages they are not so completely divided into two distinct rudiments, while in later stages two of the three are obviously continuous. One of these ridges is clearly the morphologically Right. Here again it is Inuch enlarged (Fig. 181, B, 1) and grows right across the cavity to form a complete septum’ between the pulmonary (7)) and systemic portions of the cavity.
however only three in number, and the individual ridges retain a
more nearly primitive condition in that in early stages they are not
so completely divided into two distinct rudiments, while in later
stages two of the three are obviously continuous. One of these
ridges is clearly the morphologically Right. Here again it is Inuch
enlarged (Fig. 181, B, 1) and grows right across the cavity to form a
complete septum’ between the pulmonary (7)) and systemic  
portions of the cavity.


Regarding the identity of the two other ridges there is some
Regarding the identity of the two other ridges there is some doubt. They are identified by Grreil as the Dorsal (2) and Left (3) while the Ventral (4) is supposed to have disappeared. It appears to the present writer however that the possibility should be considered whether they do not together represent the Left ridge, with which in Lacerta the free edge of the enlarged Right ridge comes in contact and which in the latter animal shows an incipient division into two parts by a longitudinal groove.
doubt. They are identified by Grreil as the Dorsal (2) and Left (3)
while the Ventral (4) is supposed to have disappeared. It appears
to the present writer however that the possibility should be considered whether they do not together represent the Left ridge, with
which in Lacerta the free edge of the enlarged Right ridge comes
in contact and which in the latter animal shows an incipient
division into two parts by a longitudinal groove.


’l‘he septum formed by the enlarged Right ridge follows a spiral
’l‘he septum formed by the enlarged Right ridge follows a spiral course, its line of insertion being indicated by a spiral groove on the outer surface of the conus. In the Bird this groove gradually deepens into a slit which splits the septum into two halves and as a consequence divides the oonus into two separate vessels which course spirally round one another———the roots of the pulmonary arteries and the systemic aorta respectively. N o vestige of a septum subdividing the aortic cavity has so far been described.
course, its line of insertion being indicated by a spiral groove on
the outer surface of the conus. In the Bird this groove gradually
deepens into a slit which splits the septum into two halves and as a
consequence divides the oonus into two separate vessels which
course spirally round one another———the roots of the pulmonary
arteries and the systemic aorta respectively. N o vestige of a
septum subdividing the aortic cavity has so far been described.


V ALvES.——l’ul1nonary artery and systemic aorta are each
V ALvES.——l’ul1nonary artery and systemic aorta are each provided -with three pocket—valves at their ventricular end. These arise in the manner indicated in Fig. 181, B. Each vessel receives a valve split off from the enlarged Right ridge. The pulmonary and the systemic cavities receive further a valve split off from the endocardiac thickenings marked a and b respectively. Following Grreil these would be attributed to the Dorsal and Left ridges, while accepting the alternative interpretation suggested above they would both be referred to the morphologically Left ridge. There remains a third pocket-valve in each cavity. That in the systemic cavity no doubt represents the otherwise missing Ventral ridge, while if a and 12 together represent the Left ridge then the third poeket~ valve of the pulmonary cavity would represent the Dorsal ridge. As there is no reason to doubt the reliability of a pocket-valve as evidence of a once existing endocardiac ridge we should be driven—— if we reject the explanation here suggcsted—-to assume the former existence of an additional ridge between the Right and the Dorsal and there seems no justification otherwise for doing this. 388 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
provided -with three pocket—valves at their ventricular end. These
arise in the manner indicated in Fig. 181, B. Each vessel receives
a valve split off from the enlarged Right ridge. The pulmonary
and the systemic cavities receive further a valve split off from the
endocardiac thickenings marked a and b respectively. Following
Grreil these would be attributed to the Dorsal and Left ridges, while
accepting the alternative interpretation suggested above they would
both be referred to the morphologically Left ridge. There remains
a third pocket-valve in each cavity. That in the systemic cavity
no doubt represents the otherwise missing Ventral ridge, while if
a and 12 together represent the Left ridge then the third poeket~
valve of the pulmonary cavity would represent the Dorsal ridge.
As there is no reason to doubt the reliability of a pocket-valve as
evidence of a once existing endocardiac ridge we should be driven——
if we reject the explanation here suggcsted—-to assume the former
existence of an additional ridge between the Right and the Dorsal
and there seems no justification otherwise for doing this.
388 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


The pocket-valves are stated not to develop at the extreme
The pocket-valves are stated not to develop at the extreme hinder limit of the ridges, the septum stretching back beyond them to become continuous with the interventricular septum.
hinder limit of the ridges, the septum stretching back beyond them
to become continuous with the interventricular septum.


In the right auriculoventricular opening the inner or septal
In the right auriculoventricular opening the inner or septal valve is not developed, the ventricular septum fusing with what in Lacerta becomes converted into the valve in question.
valve is not developed, the ventricular septum fusing with what in
Lacerta becomes converted into the valve in question.


The main features of heart development having been illustrated
The main features of heart development having been illustrated from these three dilfercnt groups, Elasmobranchii, Dipnoi and Sauropsida, it will be convenient now to indicate the more important peculiarities which have been detected in other groups of the lower Vertebrates. It should be understood however that in the case of several of these, such as Cyclostonies, Ganoids and even Amphibians, apart from Urodeles, our knowledge is still fragmentary.
from these three dilfercnt groups, Elasmobranchii, Dipnoi and
Sauropsida, it will be convenient now to indicate the more important
peculiarities which have been detected in other groups of the lower
Vertebrates. It should be understood however that in the case of
several of these, such as Cyclostonies, Ganoids and even Amphibians,
apart from Urodeles, our knowledge is still fragmentary.


In I’ol_2/plerus (_ Graham Kerr, 1907) the cardiac tube when in the
In I’ol_2/plerus (_ Graham Kerr, 1907) the cardiac tube when in the form of a loop shows a similar displacement to that which occurs in fM])li([0-5'?:'}‘(’-7'!»-—-lille lower end of the loop being pushed forwards in front of the yolk. In this case however the displacement has gone farther than in the Lung-fish so that the cardiac loop is completely inverted-its apex being directed forwards, while the ventral aorta passes OH’ in a tailward direction. A similar displacement occurs in Teleosts.
form of a loop shows a similar displacement to that which occurs
in fM])li([0-5'?:'}‘(’-7'!»-—-lille lower end of the loop being pushed forwards in
front of the yolk. In this case however the displacement has gone
farther than in the Lung-fish so that the cardiac loop is completely
inverted-its apex being directed forwards, while the ventral aorta
passes OH’ in a tailward direction. A similar displacement occurs in
Teleosts.


'l‘he conus of Ganoid fishes shows the usual endocardiac ridges
'l‘he conus of Ganoid fishes shows the usual endocardiac ridges which become converted into longitudinal rows of pocket-valves as in Elasmobranchs. In Poly/pm-us these ridges are six in number, alternate ones being much reduced in size, with the result that in the adult three rows of large pocket-valves alternate with three rows of small ones. In all these fishes the endocardiac ridges and their resultant rows of pocket-valves run straight along the conus and there is no reason to doubt that this is the primitive condition. To determine the primitive number of the ridges in Fishes more research'is needed although there is little doubt that four was the number present in the primitive Tetrapocls.
which become converted into longitudinal rows of pocket-valves as
in Elasmobranchs. In Poly/pm-us these ridges are six in number,
alternate ones being much reduced in size, with the result that in
the adult three rows of large pocket-valves alternate with three
rows of small ones. In all these fishes the endocardiac ridges and
their resultant rows of pocket-valves run straight along the conus
and there is no reason to doubt that this is the primitive condition.
To determine the primitive number of the ridges in Fishes more
research'is needed although there is little doubt that four was the
number present in the primitive Tetrapocls.


In the Teloostcan fishes we find in place of the conus arteriosus
In the Teloostcan fishes we find in place of the conus arteriosus the structure known as the aortic bulb. As already indicated (p. 37 this is distinguished from the typical conus by well-marked histological and physiological difi'erenees. And it is frequently regarded as being morphologically a part not of the heart but of the ventral aorta.
the structure known as the aortic bulb. As already indicated
(p. 37 this is distinguished from the typical conus by well-marked
histological and physiological difi'erenees. And it is frequently
regarded as being morphologically a part not of the heart but of the
ventral aorta.


If however we take, as we are probably justified in doing, the
If however we take, as we are probably justified in doing, the point of exit from the pericardiac cavity as being relatively fixed and as marking the headward limit of the cardiac tube or primitive heart, then it becomes clear that the aortic bulb, lying as it does within the pericardiac cavity, is really a portion of the primitive cardiac tube and of that part of it which lay between the ventricle and the ventral aorta-——in other words the conus arteriosus. What has happened in the evolution of the. Teleostean heart is in all probability entirely analogous with what has taken place in the ‘ curve lies 111 a nearly vertical plane
point of exit from the pericardiac cavity as being relatively fixed
and as marking the headward limit of the cardiac tube or primitive
heart, then it becomes clear that the aortic bulb, lying as it does
within the pericardiac cavity, is really a portion of the primitive
cardiac tube and of that part of it which lay between the ventricle
and the ventral aorta-——in other words the conus arteriosus. What
has happened in the evolution of the. Teleostean heart is in all
probability entirely analogous with what has taken place in the
‘ curve lies 111 a nearly vertical plane


VI HEART 389
VI HEART 389


Amniota, namely that the conus arteriosus has gradually lost its
Amniota, namely that the conus arteriosus has gradually lost its power of rhythmic contraction while pawl passu its myoeardiac coating of striped muscle has degenerated and its primitive histological characteristics have been replaced by others resembling more closely those of the ventral aorta.
power of rhythmic contraction while pawl passu its myoeardiac
coating of striped muscle has degenerated and its primitive histological characteristics have been replaced by others resembling more
closely those of the ventral aorta.


.During ontogeny it would appear from Hoyei-’s work on Salmo
.During ontogeny it would appear from Hoyei-’s work on Salmo (1900) that the conus in the embryo possesses the characteristic features——a layer of striated muscle in its wall, and longitudinal ridges (two in number) projecting into its 1uu1en——and differs from that of an Elasmobranch merely in ' the fact that these features do not extend throughout the whole of the distance between the ventricle and the anterior limit of the pericardiac space, but only through about the posterior half of that distance. In the adult the two ridges are represented by the two pocket-valves.
(1900) that the conus in the embryo possesses the characteristic
features——a layer of striated muscle in its wall, and longitudinal
ridges (two in number) projecting into its 1uu1en——and differs from
that of an Elasmobranch merely in '
the fact that these features do not
extend throughout the whole of the
distance between the ventricle and
the anterior limit of the pericardiac
space, but only through about the
posterior half of that distance. In
the adult the two ridges are represented by the two pocket-valves.


In Urodele amphibians (Salamandm—-Hoehstetter, 1906) the
In Urodele amphibians (Salamandm—-Hoehstetter, 1906) the heart during the period when it is in the form of a tube with an S-like curvature is conspicuously different in appearance from that of the Vertebrates already described, owing to the fact that the two curves of s the 8 lie in different planes from those which they occupy elsewhere. The morphologically posterior or tailward curve lies here nearly iii the
heart during the period when it is
in the form of a tube with an S-like
curvature is conspicuously different
in appearance from that of the  
Vertebrates already described, owing  
to the fact that the two curves of   s
the 8 lie in different planes from
those which they occupy elsewhere.
The morphologically posterior or tailward curve lies here nearly iii the


horizontal plane While the anterior FIG.184.—-Views of developing heart of
horizontal plane While the anterior FIG.184.—-Views of developing heart of ' Salamamlm as seen from the ventral side. (After Hochstetter, 1906.)
' Salamamlm as seen from the ventral
side. (After Hochstetter, 1906.)


——the limb of the curve which will
——the limb of the curve which will become conus dorsal to the at,‘atriu111;c,eonu's‘u.rte;.ios11s;d.(.',.duc.t ventricular portion, so that it is ;’if,,,(,’,,“,V.,',‘,i,’,,;,,:f,";‘ mm cm’ 8")’ hidden in a View of the heart from
become conus dorsal to the at,‘atriu111;c,eonu's‘u.rte;.ios11s;d.(.',.duc.t
ventricular portion, so that it is ;’if,,,(,’,,“,V.,',‘,i,’,,;,,:f,";‘ mm cm’ 8")’
hidden in a View of the heart from


the ventral side (Fig. 184, A). Special interest is lent to this
the ventral side (Fig. 184, A). Special interest is lent to this curvature of the atrioventricular portion of the cardiac tube by the fact that it reproduces accurately the type of curvature which we inferred as being present in this portion of the vertebrate heart in our general discussion of its morphology (compare Fig. 184, A, with lower portion of Fig. 177).
curvature of the atrioventricular portion of the cardiac tube by the
fact that it reproduces accurately the type of curvature which we
inferred as being present in this portion of the vertebrate heart in
our general discussion of its morphology (compare Fig. 184, A, with
lower portion of Fig. 177).


As development proceeds the left-hand end of the ventricular
As development proceeds the left-hand end of the ventricular portion, z'.e. its actually headward end, swings ventrally and tailwards so that the long axis of this portion of the heart comes to be perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the body (Fig. 184, B). As the ventricular part of the heart shifts backwards the conus becomes
portion, z'.e. its actually headward end, swings ventrally and tailwards
so that the long axis of this portion of the heart comes to be perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the body (Fig. 184, B). As the
ventricular part of the heart shifts backwards the conus becomes


visible in a view from the ventral side. The backward shifting
visible in a view from the ventral side. The backward shifting 390% EMBRYOLOGX or THETLOWER VERTEBRATES on.
390% EMBRYOLOGX or THETLOWER VERTEBRATES on.


continues‘ imtil the ventricle comes to lie ventral -to the sinus (Fig.
continues‘ imtil the ventricle comes to lie ventral -to the sinus (Fig. 184, 0) instead of well in front of it as it did originally. The ventricle is now on the tailward side of the atrium which bulges out on each side, its ventral wall fitting closely to the dorsal side of the conus. The sinus becomes marked oft‘ from the atrium by a constriction, which deepens most markedly on the right side so that tl1e sinuatrial opening becomes displaced towards the left. It is to be noted that during these stages in development the portion of the ventricular wall lying on its concave (anterior) side, undergoes relatively very slight increase in size. The result is that the ventricle bulges in a tailward direction and the openings by which it comniunicates with atrium and conus respectively remain relatively closely approximated together. ‘ i
184, 0) instead of well in front of it as it did originally. The ventricle
is now on the tailward side of the atrium which bulges out on each
side, its ventral wall fitting closely to the dorsal side of the conus.
The sinus becomes marked oft‘ from the atrium by a constriction,
which deepens most markedly on the right side so that tl1e sinuatrial opening becomes displaced towards the left. It is to be noted
that during these stages in development the portion of the ventricular
wall lying on its concave (anterior) side, undergoes relatively very
slight increase in size. The result is that the ventricle bulges in a
tailward direction and the openings by which it comniunicates with
atrium and conus respectively remain relatively closely approximated
together. ‘ i


The atrial septum arises as a ridge or fold of endocardium which,
The atrial septum arises as a ridge or fold of endocardium which,
Line 1,391: Line 383:
as in the Sauropsida, projects into the lumen from the anterior (head— i
as in the Sauropsida, projects into the lumen from the anterior (head— i


ward) wall. The concave free edge of this grows towards the atrioventricular opening while its base of attachment spreads, on the one
ward) wall. The concave free edge of this grows towards the atrioventricular opening while its base of attachment spreads, on the one hand ventrally until it becomes continuous with the anterior atrioventricular ciisliioii, and on the other dorsally and backwards, to the left of the sinus opening and to the right of the pulmonary vein opening, till it becomes continuous with the posterior (tailward) atrioventricular cushion. The conspicuous openings in the atrial septum known to exist in adult Urodeles though not irr‘Anura are secondary perforations. e t
hand ventrally until it becomes continuous with the anterior atrioventricular ciisliioii, and on the other dorsally and backwards, to the
left of the sinus opening and to the right of the pulmonary vein
opening, till it becomes continuous with the posterior (tailward)
atrioventricular cushion. The conspicuous openings in the atrial
septum known to exist in adult Urodeles though not irr‘Anura are
secondary perforations. e t


The conus develops discontinuous ridges. Of these there are
The conus develops discontinuous ridges. Of these there are four anterior riidiments of which the Dorsal and Ventral develop first and the Right and Left later. Of posterior rudiments only three have been described but that the missing one is at least sometimes present is shown by the adult arrangements of the resulting pocket-valves in rliiiereiit Amphibians. Thus four pocket-valves have been observed in the posterior circle..i;»n specimens of Strait, Nectwrus, the Axolotl, and Salmnandm (Boas). In the anterior circle cases are known of one of the four valves being reiiuced in size (Sz"ren, Axolotl, Triton, Sa.lama./ndm), vestigial (Pqlpa), or_:§i.g6ne entirely (Proteus, Rana). Other cases occur in which an additional valve makes its appearance through one of the original ones becoining split (Nectwrus). All these variations in the pocket-valves of the adult are of importance in relation to the embryonic ridges which the valves represent. Details will be found in Boas (1882).
four anterior riidiments of which the Dorsal and Ventral develop
first and the Right and Left later. Of posterior rudiments only
three have been described but that the missing one is at least sometimes present is shown by the adult arrangements of the resulting
pocket-valves in rliiiereiit Amphibians. Thus four pocket-valves
have been observed in the posterior circle..i;»n specimens of Strait,
Nectwrus, the Axolotl, and Salmnandm (Boas). In the anterior
circle cases are known of one of the four valves being reiiuced in
size (Sz"ren, Axolotl, Triton, Sa.lama./ndm), vestigial (Pqlpa), or_:§i.g6ne
entirely (Proteus, Rana). Other cases occur in which an additional
valve makes its appearance through one of the original ones becoining
split (Nectwrus). All these variations in the pocket-valves of the
adult are of importance in relation to the embryonic ridges which
the valves represent. Details will be found in Boas (1882).


Of, the anterior rudiments the right-hand ridge (1) is prolonged backwards as thevspiral fold which projects across the lumen
Of, the anterior rudiments the right-hand ridge (1) is prolonged backwards as thevspiral fold which projects across the lumen and disides it iinpepfectly into an aortic and a pulmonary cavity.
and disides it iinpepfectly into an aortic and a pulmonary cavity.


In some cases the s iral fold apparently makes an abortive attempt’
In some cases the s iral fold apparently makes an abortive attempt’


to pursue the course of development which it went through in the
to pursue the course of development which it went through in the ancestral fish-like form, as it segnients up into a row of little knobs each of which, we may take it, represents a pocket-valve (Tm'ton pwnctatus, '1‘. cmlstatus). In other cases (Necturus, Ooecilia‘) the spiral fold has in the adult completely disappeared (Boas- J-R823. ’ s -VI HEART OF ' REPTILES 391
ancestral fish-like form, as it segnients up into a row of little knobs
each of which, we may take it, represents a pocket-valve (Tm'ton
pwnctatus, '1‘. cmlstatus). In other cases (Necturus, Ooecilia‘) the spiral
fold has in the adult completely disappeared (Boas- J-R823. ’ s
-VI HEART OF ' REPTILES 391


The hearts of Reptiles in general agree closely in their developmental features with that of Lcwerta. The most important variations are seen in the Crocodiles (Hochstetter, 1906*‘). The conus
The hearts of Reptiles in general agree closely in their developmental features with that of Lcwerta. The most important variations are seen in the Crocodiles (Hochstetter, 1906*‘). The conus here is- of interest in that it still repeats with particular clearness the sharp double flexure seen in the .l‘)ip1'ioar1 (F 185).
here is- of interest in that it still repeats with particular clearness
the sharp double flexure seen in the .l‘)ip1'ioar1 (F 185).


The ventricular portion of the heart becomes completely divided"
The ventricular portion of the heart becomes completely divided" into a right and left ventricle by a septum which is formed for the most part from trabceular projections of’ the m'yoeardi'um but in part also from the endoeardiac bridge which divides the atri.oventricular opening as in the Bird. _ This septum becomes quite complete, the interventricular foramen which exists for a time closing up and the interventricular septum becoming continuous. with the aortic septum of the conus. This is rendered a possible physiological arrangement in the crocodile by the fact that here the opening from the ventricle into that cavity of the conus which is continuous with the right systemic aorta, is farther to the left than in Lizards, While on the other _hand the right atrioventricular opeuin g is farther to the right. The result is that the opening of the right systemic aorta... and the leftauriculoventricular opening lie to the left of the s_ep'tun1;while the openings of the left aorta and pulmonary artery together with . _ . the right auricuhiventricular opening lie to F“"' 185';“’“H°“"t"l“{"br"°“'°
into a right and left ventricle by a septum which is formed for the
most part from trabceular projections of’ the m'yoeardi'um but in
part also from the endoeardiac bridge which divides the atri.oventricular opening as in the Bird. _ This septum becomes quite
complete, the interventricular foramen which exists for a time
closing up and the interventricular septum becoming continuous.
with the aortic septum of the conus. This is rendered a possible
physiological arrangement in the crocodile by the fact that here the
opening from the ventricle into that cavity
of the conus which is continuous with the
right systemic aorta, is farther to the left
than in Lizards, While on the other _hand
the right atrioventricular opeuin g is farther
to the right. The result is that the opening
of the right systemic aorta... and the leftauriculoventricular opening lie to the left
of the s_ep'tun1;while the openings of the left
aorta and pulmonary artery together with . _ .
the right auricuhiventricular opening lie to F“"' 185';“’“H°“"t"l“{"br"°“'°


-_ 7. _ __ w o , Crocouhle. (Alter H0('-llthe right of the septum. buch diiierences Stetter’19O6*.)
-_ 7. _ __ w o , Crocouhle. (Alter H0('-llthe right of the septum. buch diiierences Stetter’19O6*.) in the position of the ventricular openings of the great arteries are regarded by Hoolistetter as due to varying degrees of i11c01'po1‘ati01.1 of the obliquely placed conus into the ventricle. i
in the position of the ventricular openings
of the great arteries are regarded by Hoolistetter as due to varying degrees of i11c01'po1‘ati01.1 of the obliquely
placed conus into the ventricle. i


The foramen of Panizza, that re1narkable_ communication which
The foramen of Panizza, that re1narkable_ communication which exists in the crocodile between the two systemic aortae close to their point of exit from the ventricles, arises as a secondary perforation of the aortic septum comparatively late in development just before the closing of the last remains of the interventrieular foramen. _
exists in the crocodile between the two systemic aortae close to their
point of exit from the ventricles, arises as a secondary perforation of
the aortic septum comparatively late in development just before the
closing of the last remains of the interventrieular foramen. _


The splitting up of the coffiis into independent vessels remains
The splitting up of the coffiis into independent vessels remains as a rule in the Reptiles, as in Lacerla, in an incipient condition, indicated merely by a slight grooving of the surface. In Ophidia however the superficial groove becomes -so deepened as to split the conus completely‘ into an independent aortic and pulmonary root as in Birds. _ , .
as a rule in the Reptiles, as in Lacerla, in an incipient condition,
indicated merely by a slight grooving of the surface. In Ophidia
however the superficial groove becomes -so deepened as to split the
conus completely‘ into an independent aortic and pulmonary root as
in Birds. _ , .


Bassing in review the broad features of lieartdevelopliient in the
Bassing in review the broad features of lieartdevelopliient in the lower Vertebrates the following general principles seem to emerge :(1) The primitive heart or primitive cardiac tube is that portion of the ventral or subintestinal vessel included within the limits of the pericardiac coelome.
lower Vertebrates the following general principles seem to emerge :(1) The primitive heart or primitive cardiac tube is that portion
of the ventral or subintestinal vessel included within the limits of
the pericardiac coelome.


(2) Annular segments in the wall of th.i§,i.§,,t11sbe lag behind in
(2) Annular segments in the wall of th.i§,i.§,,t11sbe lag behind in increase of diameter so that the tube beg‘oi;1e§f;»§§pnstricted into a
increase of diameter so that the tube beg‘oi;1e§f;»§§pnstricted into a




Ir, conus arteriosus; I-", ventricle.
Ir, conus arteriosus; I-", ventricle. 392 EMBRYOLUGY OF THE LOWER V ERTEBRATES cu.
392 EMBRYOLUGY OF THE LOWER V ERTEBRATES cu.


series of chambers~——si1ms venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus
series of chambers~——si1ms venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus arteriosus——-the originally peristaltic waves of contraction tending to become reduced at each constriction so that the chambers come to contract in series.
arteriosus——-the originally peristaltic waves of contraction tending to
become reduced at each constriction so that the chambers come to
contract in series.


(3) The primitive valvular apparatus consists of a series of
(3) The primitive valvular apparatus consists of a series of longitudinal ridges. These are best marked in the conus where they were originally at least four in number. The presence of six in 1’ol;z/pterus and the occurrence of more than four rows of valves in various other relatively primitive Ganoids and Elasmobranchs suggests that the number may have been greater. Individual ridges may in various forms become reduced or disappear, while in other cases apparently an increase in number may take place. The ridges show very generally a tendency to develop from two distinct rudiments, an anterior one and a posterior one, but the continuity of the rows of valves in the lower fishes indicates the probability that this discontinuity is secondary. In the portions of the heart behind the conus the1'c is no complete series of ridges like those in the conus though it is possible that vestiges of such ridges are represented by the endocardiac cushions and septal rudiments.
longitudinal ridges. These are best marked in the conus where
they were originally at least four in number. The presence of six
in 1’ol;z/pterus and the occurrence of more than four rows of valves
in various other relatively primitive Ganoids and Elasmobranchs
suggests that the number may have been greater. Individual ridges
may in various forms become reduced or disappear, while in other
cases apparently an increase in number may take place. The ridges
show very generally a tendency to develop from two distinct rudiments, an anterior one and a posterior one, but the continuity of the
rows of valves in the lower fishes indicates the probability that this
discontinuity is secondary. In the portions of the heart behind the
conus the1'c is no complete series of ridges like those in the conus
though it is possible that vestiges of such ridges are represented by
the endocardiac cushions and septal rudiments.


(4) Using the ridges of the conus as marking morphologically
(4) Using the ridges of the conus as marking morphologically longitudinal lines it is seen that the conus has in the Lung—1ishes undergone a double llexure of such a kind as to produce ‘wlfen straightened out a right-handed twist of the conus through approximately three right angles. 3
longitudinal lines it is seen that the conus has in the Lung—1ishes
undergone a double llexure of such a kind as to produce ‘wlfen
straightened out a right-handed twist of the conus through approximately three right angles. 3


(5) In tctrapodous Vertebrates the conus shows a similar righthanded twist and this is adequately explained by the relative reduction in length which the conus has undergone if it be assumed that
(5) In tctrapodous Vertebrates the conus shows a similar righthanded twist and this is adequately explained by the relative reduction in length which the conus has undergone if it be assumed that there was an ancestral condition resembling that of the existing Dipnoan. ...
there was an ancestral condition resembling that of the existing
Dipnoan. ...


(6) From the Lung-fishes upwards the originally right-hand ridge
(6) From the Lung-fishes upwards the originally right-hand ridge of the conus becomes hypertrophied and, either alone or by fusion with its mls-d-m's, forms a longitudinal septum dividing the cavity of the conus into two parts——pulmonary and aortic——twisted spirally round one another. "
of the conus becomes hypertrophied and, either alone or by fusion with
its mls-d-m's, forms a longitudinal septum dividing the cavity of the
conus into two parts——pulmonary and aortic——twisted spirally round
one another. "


(7) Correlated with this process is a tendency for the wall of the
(7) Correlated with this process is a tendency for the wall of the conus to lose its striped muscle and its rhythmic contractility. This process takes place from before backwards and the portion which has suffered this change, and the wall of which has assumed the ordinary arterial character, is in common usage included under the name truncus arteriosus.
conus to lose its striped muscle and its rhythmic contractility.
This process takes place from before backwards and the portion
which has suffered this change, and the wall of which has assumed
the ordinary arterial character, is in common usage included under
the name truncus arteriosus.


(8) The atrioventricular part of the cardiac tube undergoes a
(8) The atrioventricular part of the cardiac tube undergoes a double flexure similar in nature to that seen in the conus of the Lung-fish but of such a kind as would if straightened out give a left-handed twist.
double flexure similar in nature to that seen in the conus of the
Lung-fish but of such a kind as would if straightened out give a
left-handed twist.


(9) The valves and septa of this part of the heart originate in
(9) The valves and septa of this part of the heart originate in the endocardiac cushions and in Leptdosiren atrial septum and ventricular septum are at first continuous with. one another.
the endocardiac cushions and in Leptdosiren atrial septum and ventricular septum are at first continuous with. one another.


(10) In the evolution of the valves of the heart there has come
(10) In the evolution of the valves of the heart there has come VI HE ART AND ARTERIES 393
VI HE ART AND ARTERIES 393


about a substitution of automatically acting pocket— or flap-valves
about a substitution of automatically acting pocket— or flap-valves for the original endocardiac ridge or cushions which for their functioning were dependent upon a complex and fallible neuromuscular mechanism.
for the original endocardiac ridge or cushions which for their
functioning were dependent upon a complex and fallible neuromuscular mechanism.


ARTERIAL SYs'rEM.—-— -The conus arteriosus is primitively prolonged
ARTERIAL SYs'rEM.—-— -The conus arteriosus is primitively prolonged forwards into the ventral aorta which gives off on each side the series of aortic arches. The most important e.volutionary change wl1iel1 the originally simple tubular ventral aorta undergoes is a process of splitting whereby the stream of blood to the lungs is separated from that to the tissues generally. This splitting is seen for the first time in the Lung-fishes. Here a dorsal portion of the cavity is separated oil’, continuous behind with the pulmonary cavity of the conus and ending blindly in front by its floor meeting its roof. The anterior termination of this cavity is ust in lront of the point of origin of aortic arch V, and this arch along with arch VI, owing to the fact that they branch oil’ from the ventral aorta somewhat dorsally, open from the cavity in question. The horizontal partition which forms the floor of this dorsal pulmonary cavity begins in ontogeny as a rudimentary ingrowth on each side between the origins of arches IV and V. The two rudiments grow back, fuse, and form a horizontal partition continuous at its hinder end with the Right and Left ridges of the conus which, as already explained, form the floor of its. pulmonary cavity.
forwards into the ventral aorta which gives off on each side the
series of aortic arches. The most important e.volutionary change
wl1iel1 the originally simple tubular ventral aorta undergoes is a
process of splitting whereby the stream of blood to the lungs is
separated from that to the tissues generally. This splitting is seen
for the first time in the Lung-fishes. Here a dorsal portion of the
cavity is separated oil’, continuous behind with the pulmonary cavity
of the conus and ending blindly in front by its floor meeting its roof.
The anterior termination of this cavity is ust in lront of the point of
origin of aortic arch V, and this arch along with arch VI, owing to
the fact that they branch oil’ from the ventral aorta somewhat dorsally,
open from the cavity in question. The horizontal partition which
forms the floor of this dorsal pulmonary cavity begins in ontogeny
as a rudimentary ingrowth on each side between the origins of
arches IV and V. The two rudiments grow back, fuse, and form a
horizontal partition continuous at its hinder end with the Right and
Left ridges of the conus which, as already explained, form the floor
of its. pulmonary cavity.


A’ similar splitting off of a dorsal, pulmonary, part of the ventral
A’ similar splitting off of a dorsal, pulmonary, part of the ventral aorta occurs in air-breathing Vertebrates in general.
aorta occurs in air-breathing Vertebrates in general.


As regards the remaining, or systemic, portion of the ventral
As regards the remaining, or systemic, portion of the ventral aorta, the main point to notice is its tendency to split into two separate halves in its anterior portion, a process correlated probably with" economy of material, allowing as it does the. origins of the aortic
aorta, the main point to notice is its tendency to split into two
separate halves in its anterior portion, a process correlated probably
with" economy of material, allowing as it does the. origins of the aortic


- arch'e.s to be displaced outwards so as to shorten these arches. This
- arch'e.s to be displaced outwards so as to shorten these arches. This


splitting or bifurcation of the ventral aorta spreads backwards for a
splitting or bifurcation of the ventral aorta spreads backwards for a variable distance, commonly to about the level of aortic arch III or IV. ' .
variable distance, commonly to about the level of aortic arch III
or IV. ' .


In the Reptiles there comes about an independent splitting
In the Reptiles there comes about an independent splitting into two lateral halves of the aortic cavity posterior to the region of the bifurcation just alluded to. A vertical septum grows backwards from the anterior lip of the opening into aortic arch IV of the left side and becomes continuous with the septum separating the two systemic cavities of the conus.
into two lateral halves of the aortic cavity posterior to the region
of the bifurcation just alluded to. A vertical septum grows
backwards from the anterior lip of the opening into aortic arch IV
of the left side and becomes continuous with the septum separating
the two systemic cavities of the conus.


When this aortic septum is formed the ventral aorta in its
When this aortic septum is formed the ventral aorta in its hinder portion contains three cavitics—a dorsal, pulmonary, leading to aortic arches V and VI of both sides, a left ventral leading to aortic arch IV of the left side, and a right ventral leading to aortic arch IV of the right side together with the paired anterior part of the ventral aorta and the aortic arches springing from them. Each of the three cavities is continuous behind with the corresponding cavity of the conus. In the majority of Reptiles (not in Lacerta) the separation of these cavities is followed by splitting of the septa between them 394 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
hinder portion contains three cavitics—a dorsal, pulmonary, leading
to aortic arches V and VI of both sides, a left ventral leading to
aortic arch IV of the left side, and a right ventral leading to aortic
arch IV of the right side together with the paired anterior part of the
ventral aorta and the aortic arches springing from them. Each of the
three cavities is continuous behind with the corresponding cavity of
the conus. In the majority of Reptiles (not in Lacerta) the separation
of these cavities is followed by splitting of the septa between them
394 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


so that the ventral aorta is resolved into three distinct vessels forming
so that the ventral aorta is resolved into three distinct vessels forming portions of the common pulmonary artery and of the right and left systemic aortae respectively. THE AORTIO Anenns AND THEIR DERIVATIVES.-——F1‘o111 the. ventral aorta there are given elf on each side a series of half-hoop-shaped aortic arches which pass in a dorsal direction, between successive visceral clefts, to open eventually into the dorsal aorta. In the region where it receives the aortic arches the dorsal aorta is frequeiitly paired (forming the aortic roots) either temporarily or throughout life. This assumption of the paired condition may not improbably be of similar significance to that of the ventral aorta 'o'.e. have to do merely with the eeonomizing of material. In any case the precise extent of the paired condition does not appear to be of any great morphological importance.
portions of the common pulmonary artery and of the right and left
systemic aortae respectively.  
THE AORTIO Anenns AND THEIR DERIVATIVES.-——F1‘o111 the. ventral
aorta there are given elf on each side a series of half-hoop-shaped
aortic arches which pass in a dorsal direction, between successive
visceral clefts, to open eventually into the dorsal aorta. In the region
where it receives the aortic arches the dorsal aorta is frequeiitly
paired (forming the aortic roots) either temporarily or throughout
life. This assumption of the paired condition may not improbably
be of similar significance to that of the ventral aorta 'o'.e. have to do
merely with the eeonomizing of material. In any case the precise
extent of the paired condition does not appear to be of any great
morphological importance.


As regards the aortic arches themselves the following general
As regards the aortic arches themselves the following general features are to be noted: (1) that they develop in order of position from before backwards in agreement with the general principle of development of the vertebrate body and (2) that individual arches tend to become reduced in size in correlation with diminution of functional activity. Thus the mandibular and hyoid arches having lost or at least greatly diminished their respiratory activity even in the lower fishes we find a corresponding disappearance or reduction of their aortic arches. ’
features are to be noted: (1) that they develop in order of position
from before backwards in agreement with the general principle of
development of the vertebrate body and (2) that individual arches
tend to become reduced in size in correlation with diminution of
functional activity. Thus the mandibular and hyoid arches having
lost or at least greatly diminished their respiratory activity even in
the lower fishes we find a corresponding disappearance or reduction
of their aortic arches. ’


An important point to notice is that where the particular
An important point to notice is that where the particular visceral arch carries a true external gill (Crossopterygians, Lept'd0s'£ren and Protopterus, Urodele and some other Amphibians) the aortic arch passes out as a loop into the external gill. The aortic arch is in fact in these forms during early stages, before the gillclefts are perforated, the vessel of the external gill. Such relations on the part of vessels of the fundamental morphological importance of the aortic arches are not to be dismissed lightly as modern adaptive modifications. They appear to indicate that the archaic function of the aortic arch was to supply the external gill with blood. _
visceral arch carries a true external gill (Crossopterygians, Lept'd0s'£ren and Protopterus, Urodele and some other Amphibians) the
aortic arch passes out as a loop into the external gill. The aortic
arch is in fact in these forms during early stages, before the gillclefts are perforated, the vessel of the external gill. Such relations
on the part of vessels of the fundamental morphological importance
of the aortic arches are not to be dismissed lightly as modern adaptive modifications. They appear to indicate that the archaic
function of the aortic arch was to supply the external gill with
blood. _


As the external gill ceases to function a short circuit is formed
As the external gill ceases to function a short circuit is formed at its base, through which the blood passes directly to the dorsal part of the arch without traversing the external gill. In Urodeles, according to l\Iaurer, the short-eircuiting vessel sprouts downwards from the dorsal limb of the arch but in Lepidosrlren Robertson finds it arising simply by the enlargement of pre-existing chinks. Thus the definitive aortic arch, in those cases in which an external gill is for a time present, includes a portion secondarily intercalated in its
at its base, through which the blood passes directly to the dorsal
part of the arch without traversing the external gill. In Urodeles,
according to l\Iaurer, the short-eircuiting vessel sprouts downwards
from the dorsal limb of the arch but in Lepidosrlren Robertson finds
it arising simply by the enlargement of pre-existing chinks. Thus
the definitive aortic arch, in those cases in which an external gill is
for a time present, includes a portion secondarily intercalated in its


course and derived from the short-circuiting vessel.
course and derived from the short-circuiting vessel.


In the typical fishes, where respiration is carried on by the wall
In the typical fishes, where respiration is carried on by the wall of the gill-cleft, there becomes intercalated in the course of the aortic arch a respiratory network of capillaries, so that the arch is divided into a distinct ventral (afferent) and dorsal (efferent) portion. In such a fish as Lepidosiren, where the respiratory activity of the gills ‘VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 395
of the gill-cleft, there becomes intercalated in the course of the aortic
arch a respiratory network of capillaries, so that the arch is divided
into a distinct ventral (afferent) and dorsal (efferent) portion. In
such a fish as Lepidosiren, where the respiratory activity of the gills
‘VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 395


is comparatively small, the aorticareh can be traced throughout as a
is comparatively small, the aorticareh can be traced throughout as a distinct channel ; while in the Amniota, where the walls of the gill clefts have completely lost their respiratory function, the respiratory network never develops at all.
distinct channel ; while in the Amniota, where the walls of the gill
clefts have completely lost their respiratory function, the respiratory
network never develops at all.


FIG. l86.—~—Scheme of aortic arches and their «lerivatives_aS seen from the Velltml Sid}?The parts of the original scheme which disappear dui-mg development aie shown in
FIG. l86.—~—Scheme of aortic arches and their «lerivatives_aS seen from the Velltml Sid}?The parts of the original scheme which disappear dui-mg development aie shown in


pale tone.
pale tone. A, complete unmodified series of aortic arches; B, arrangement in a Urodele; 0, 111 ‘I Reptile: I), in a Mammal.‘ A, dorsal aorta; a.r, aortic root; mi, aiiastomotic vessel; ac, common carotid;
A, complete unmodified series of aortic arches; B, arrangement in a Urodele; 0, 111 ‘I Reptile:
I), in a Mammal.‘ A, dorsal aorta; a.r, aortic root; mi, aiiastomotic vessel; ac, common carotid;


(LB, duct oi'Bota1lus; d.c, dorsal (internal) carotid; 'i, innoniinate artery; 512'’: left l’”l'“0"‘"'y artery 3
(LB, duct oi'Bota1lus; d.c, dorsal (internal) carotid; 'i, innoniinate artery; 512'’: left l’”l'“0"‘"'y artery 3 L3, left systemic; yr, pulmonary; 'r.p, right pulmonary; 5'. systemic 30ml; 3. Sllbcla-Via“ 31‘t9l‘)’ § v.n, ventral aorta; um, ventral (external) carotid ; 1, 11, etc., aortic arches. ‘
L3, left systemic; yr, pulmonary; 'r.p, right pulmonary; 5'. systemic 30ml; 3. Sllbcla-Via“ 31‘t9l‘)’ §
v.n, ventral aorta; um, ventral (external) carotid ; 1, 11, etc., aortic arches. ‘


The longitudinal vessels with which the aortic arches are con
The longitudinal vessels with which the aortic arches are con nected are prolonged forwards as the carotid arteries which supply
nected are prolonged forwards as the carotid arteries which supply


the head with blood. The Ventral aorta is prolonged forwards as the
the head with blood. The Ventral aorta is prolonged forwards as the ventral, or external, carotid while the prolongation forwards oi the aortic root forms the dorsal, or -internal, carotid. Of the alternative 396 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH’.
ventral, or external, carotid while the prolongation forwards oi the
aortic root forms the dorsal, or -internal, carotid. Of the alternative
396 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH’.


names dorsal and ventral (Mackay, 1889) are to be preferred to internal
names dorsal and ventral (Mackay, 1889) are to be preferred to internal and external, for the latter though in common use are less precise. During the development of the young individual there is laid down a general scheme of aortic arches and associated vessels agreeing with that just described, and the processes of modification whereby there becomes evolved out of this the complicated and very different arrangement of the great arteries of the adult afford material for one of the most fascinating chapters in vertebrate
and external, for the latter though in common use are less precise.
During the development of the young individual there is laid
down a general scheme of aortic arches and associated vessels
agreeing with that just described, and the processes of modification
whereby there becomes evolved out of this the complicated and
very different arrangement of the great arteries of the adult afford
material for one of the most fascinating chapters in vertebrate


Fm. 187.-—Illustrating modification of the carotid arteries, correlated with elongation
Fm. 187.-—Illustrating modification of the carotid arteries, correlated with elongation of the neck region.
of the neck region.


A, Varanid Lizard ; B, Grass-snake (’l"mpi«Ionolus); }).f'., primary carotid.
A, Varanid Lizard ; B, Grass-snake (’l"mpi«Ionolus); }).f'., primary carotid. (Other letters as in Fig. 186.)
(Other letters as in Fig. 186.)


embryology. The general lines of these processes are best illustrated
embryology. The general lines of these processes are best illustrated by an outline of what happens in the group Reptilia.
by an outline of what happens in the group Reptilia.


The arrangement which the main arteries assume in adult
The arrangement which the main arteries assume in adult Reptiles shows much variety. The relation which the adult arrangement in the more important Reptilian types bears to the primitive scheme may he gathered from an inspection of Figs. 186, C, 187, A, B, and 187A, C3 Through the conspicuous differences in
Reptiles shows much variety. The relation which the adult
arrangement in the more important Reptilian types bears to the
primitive scheme may he gathered from an inspection of Figs. 186, C,
187, A, B, and 187A, C3 Through the conspicuous differences in


1 It must be remembered that in the actual animal the various bends and turns
1 It must be remembered that in the actual animal the various bends and turns of the vessels tend to become strai htened out. For example arch III becomes simply a portion of a straight interna carotid artery. In the diagrams the original curvature of the arches is retained for the sake of clearness. VI ARTERIES OF iREP'.I‘ILESi 397
of the vessels tend to become strai htened out. For example arch III becomes
simply a portion of a straight interna carotid artery. In the diagrams the original
curvature of the arches is retained for the sake of clearness.
VI ARTERIES OF iREP'.I‘ILESi 397


detail there can be seen general agreement in the fate of various
detail there can be seen general agreement in the fate of various aortic arches and of other parts of the primitive arterial scheme. Thus the ventral aorta is continued forwards to form the paired ventral (“external”) carotid arteries (12.0) while the aortic roots similarly extend forwards as the dorsal (“internal”) carotids (al.c). Aortic arches I and II disappear. Arch III persists as the root of the dorsal carotid while the portion of ventral aorta behind it, when
aortic arches and of other parts of the primitive arterial scheme.
Thus the ventral aorta is continued forwards to form the paired
ventral (“external”) carotid arteries (12.0) while the aortic roots
similarly extend forwards as the dorsal (“internal”) carotids (al.c).
Aortic arches I and II disappear. Arch III persists as the root of
the dorsal carotid while the portion of ventral aorta behind it, when


Fm. 187A.—-Illustrating modification of the carotid arteries, correlated with elongation
Fm. 187A.—-Illustrating modification of the carotid arteries, correlated with elongation of the neck region.
of the neck region.


C, Crocodile; 1); Bird; c, coeliac artery; .s-2, secondary subclavian.
C, Crocodile; 1); Bird; c, coeliac artery; .s-2, secondary subclavian. (Other letters as in Fig. 186.)
(Other letters as in Fig. 186.)


paired, is the common carotid (0.0). Arch IV is the Systemic
paired, is the common carotid (0.0). Arch IV is the Systemic arch which sends the blood to the hinder portions‘ of the aortic roots (am) and thence to the dorsal aorta (A). Arch V is reduced, appearing only as inconspicuous and transient vestiges during development. Of arch VI the proximal portion becomes the root of the pulmonary artery (rap and l.p) while its dorsal portion disappears.
arch which sends the blood to the hinder portions‘ of the aortic
roots (am) and thence to the dorsal aorta (A). Arch V is reduced,
appearing only as inconspicuous and transient vestiges during
development. Of arch VI the proximal portion becomes the root
of the pulmonary artery (rap and l.p) while its dorsal portion
disappears.


The chief diiferences in detail are as follows: those affecting the
The chief diiferences in detail are as follows: those affecting the


carotids will be given more fully later on.
carotids will be given more fully later on. In Lizards and Chelonians the dorsal part of arch VI persists as
In Lizards and Chelonians the dorsal part of arch VI persists as


I
I 398 l EMBRYOLOGY or THE‘ LOWER VERTEBRATES
398 l EMBRYOLOGY or THE‘ LOWER VERTEBRATES


a duct of Botallus forming a connexio
a duct of Botallus forming a connexio
Line 1,728: Line 498:
A.
A.


FIG. 188. —-Illustrating the modification of aortic arches
FIG. 188. —-Illustrating the modification of aortic arches III-VI" during ontogeny in Scyllium, according to Dohrn.
III-VI" during ontogeny in Scyllium, according
to Dohrn.


A, Dorsal aorta; of, afferent branchiul; cm, unastornotic dues frol-H
A, Dorsal aorta; of, afferent branchiul; cm, unastornotic dues frol-H


vessel; cf, efferent branchial; -v.A, ventral aorta; 'v.c, visceral
vessel; cf, efferent branchial; -v.A, ventral aorta; 'v.c, visceral clefts; I1 I, IV, V, V’ I, aortic arches.
clefts; I1 I, IV, V, V’ I, aortic arches.


C11.
C11.
Line 1,741: Line 508:
11 between the pulmonary
11 between the pulmonary


artery and the aortic root
artery and the aortic root just as is shown in Fig. 186, B (LLB) for the Urodele amphibian. In other cases it may persist as a ligainentous vestige, as is the case on the left side in Tropidovzotus.
just as is shown in Fig.
186, B (LLB) for the Urodele amphibian. In other
cases it may persist as a
ligainentous vestige, as is
the case on the left side in
Tropidovzotus.


As a rule the portion of
As a rule the portion of aortic root lying between arches III and IV disappears during , development but in most Lizards (not in Chaineleons and Monitors) i.t persists in the adult, so that in a dissection arches III and IV appear to run into one another peripherally.
aortic root lying between
arches III and IV disappears during , development
but in most Lizards (not
in Chaineleons and Monitors) i.t persists in the
adult, so that in a dissection arches III and IV
appear to run into one
another peripherally.


In Monitors (Varanidae), in correlation with
In Monitors (Varanidae), in correlation with the elongation of the neck, arches Ill and IV hecorne widely separated from one another and the intervening portion of ventral aorta shows a corresponding lengthening both in its paired (common carotid) and its unpaired (primary carotid) portions.
the elongation of the neck,
arches Ill and IV hecorne
widely separated from one
another and the intervening portion of ventral aorta
shows a corresponding
lengthening both in its
paired (common carotid)
and its unpaired (primary
carotid) portions.


In Birds (Fig. 187A, 1))
In Birds (Fig. 187A, 1)) arch IV completely disappears on the left side and with it the portion of the left aortic root lying posterior to it. Consequently in the adult Bird there is only a single systemic aortic arch and it passes down the right side of the body.
arch IV completely disappears on the left side
and with it the portion of
the left aortic root lying
posterior to it. Consequently in the adult Bird
there is only a single systemic aortic arch and it
passes down the right side
of the body.


ELASMOBRANCIIII.-— In
ELASMOBRANCIIII.-— In the Ichthyopsida, as we should expect, the departthe primitive scheme are less pronounced; VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 399
the Ichthyopsida, as we
should expect, the departthe primitive
scheme are less pronounced;
VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 399


they are mainly in details. In the Elasmobranchs perhaps the most
they are mainly in details. In the Elasmobranchs perhaps the most conspicuous of these is to be seen in the relations of the efferent vessels, each of which emerges, not from an ordinary aortic arch traversing a gill septum, but from a vascular loop surrounding a gill-cleft, the general arrangement being that shown in Fig. 188, 0. According to Dohrn (1886) this arrangement comes about in the following way. As the Walls of the elefts form lamellae and develop respiratory activity, two branches grow downwards, one anterior and one posterior, from the dorsal end of each aortic arch (Fig. 188, A, V1). These branches become connected together by cross bridges as shown in the figure (cm). The aortic arch now undergoes reduction and eventually becomes obliterated, just ventral to the point where the two branches are given off (Fig. 188, A, arch lll), so that the arch is now divided into two distinct parts-— a ventral afferent and a dorsal elferent—the latter prolonged ventralwards into the two branches. Of these the posterior branch of each pair becomes somewhat reduced in size, it develops a secondary connexion at its upper end with the efferent vessel next behind and loses its connexion with its original efferent vessel. The result is that, after this has happened, each efferent vessel again possesses two branches at its ventral end but these, instead of passing into the same gill septum, pass into two adjoining septa one in front of and one behind the intervening cleft (Fig. 188, B). Eventually the. ventral ends of each pair of branches become joined so that the cleft is now surrounded by a complete efferent loop-— the loops of successive c1eI'ts being connected together by a single persisting anastomotic vessel (Fig. 188, C).
conspicuous of these is to be seen in the relations of the efferent
vessels, each of which emerges, not from an ordinary aortic arch
traversing a gill septum, but from a vascular loop surrounding a
gill-cleft, the general arrangement being that shown in Fig. 188, 0.
According to Dohrn (1886) this arrangement comes about in the
following way. As the Walls of the elefts form lamellae and
develop respiratory activity, two branches grow downwards, one
anterior and one posterior, from the dorsal end of each aortic arch
(Fig. 188, A, V1). These branches become connected together
by cross bridges as shown in the figure (cm). The aortic arch now
undergoes reduction and eventually becomes obliterated, just ventral
to the point where the two branches are given off (Fig. 188, A,
arch lll), so that the arch is now divided into two distinct parts-—
a ventral afferent and a dorsal elferent—the latter prolonged
ventralwards into the two branches. Of these the posterior branch
of each pair becomes somewhat reduced in size, it develops a
secondary connexion at its upper end with the efferent vessel next
behind and loses its connexion with its original efferent vessel.
The result is that, after this has happened, each efferent vessel
again possesses two branches at its ventral end but these, instead of
passing into the same gill septum, pass into two adjoining septa
one in front of and one behind the intervening cleft (Fig. 188, B).
Eventually the. ventral ends of each pair of branches become joined
so that the cleft is now surrounded by a complete efferent loop-—
the loops of successive c1eI'ts being connected together by a single
persisting anastomotic vessel (Fig. 188, C).


In C’/olamg/doselmtlms the modification of the aortic arches just
In C’/olamg/doselmtlms the modification of the aortic arches just described does not take place.
described does not take place.


The number of aortic arches corresponds with that of the visceral
The number of aortic arches corresponds with that of the visceral arches and is normally six.
arches and is normally six.


In correlation with the presence of the pseudobranch on the
In correlation with the presence of the pseudobranch on the posterior face of the mandibular arch in Elasmobranchs the first aortic arch in these fishes is well developed but its primitive relations with the arterial scheme become much obscured owing primarily to the development of large new afferent and efferent channels connected with the pseudobraneh, which carries in its train the reduction of both the ventral and the dorsal portions of the original aortic arch.
posterior face of the mandibular arch in Elasmobranchs the first
aortic arch in these fishes is well developed but its primitive
relations with the arterial scheme become much obscured owing
primarily to the development of large new afferent and efferent
channels connected with the pseudobraneh, which carries in its
train the reduction of both the ventral and the dorsal portions of
the original aortic arch.


1n the case of the second aortic arch, correlated with the fact
1n the case of the second aortic arch, correlated with the fact that the anterior face of this visceral arch has lost its respiratory function, there is developed only a single, posterior, efferent downgrowth instead of two as is the case with the arches farther back. A Wide anastomosis between this and the first aortic arch
that the anterior face of this visceral arch has lost its respiratory
function, there is developed only a single, posterior, efferent
downgrowth instead of two as is the case with the arches farther
back. A Wide anastomosis between this and the first aortic arch


just below the spiracle provides the secondary afferent vessel to
just below the spiracle provides the secondary afferent vessel to


the pseudobranch which as already mentioned supplants the
the pseudobranch which as already mentioned supplants the primitive afferent vessel formed by the ventral portion of the first arch.
primitive afferent vessel formed by the ventral portion of the
first arch.


Q-If
Q-If 400 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
400 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


CYeLos'1‘oMA'1'A. -——In the Lamprey it should be noted that
CYeLos'1‘oMA'1'A. -——In the Lamprey it should be noted that according to Dohrn (1888) an aortic arch corresponding to aortic arch l of Gnathostomata makes its appearance and then disappears again. In Myxinoids the most important feature is that in them the number of aortic arches reaches its maximum for Craniata——-up to 14 in Jidellostovna.
according to Dohrn (1888) an aortic arch corresponding to
aortic arch l of Gnathostomata makes its appearance and then
disappears again. In Myxinoids the most important feature is that
in them the number of aortic arches reaches its maximum for
Craniata——-up to 14 in Jidellostovna.


CROSSO1’TERYGII.———Our knowledge is in this case very incomplete.
CROSSO1’TERYGII.———Our knowledge is in this case very incomplete. The chief peculiarity (Graham Kerr, 1907) is that, correlated with the large size of the external gill belonging to arch II, which forms the sole respiratory organ during early stages of larval life, aortic arch II makes its appearance relatively early and the development of the other aortic arches is postponed. Distinct vestiges of aortic arch I make their appearance. The succeeding aortic arches rema.in small for a prolonged period. Aortic arch V I becomes much enlarged in its ventral part in correlation with the fact that it supplies the pulmonary artery.
The chief peculiarity (Graham Kerr, 1907) is that, correlated with
the large size of the external gill belonging to arch II, which forms
the sole respiratory organ during early stages of larval life, aortic
arch II makes its appearance relatively early and the development
of the other aortic arches is postponed. Distinct vestiges of
aortic arch I make their appearance. The succeeding aortic arches
rema.in small for a prolonged period. Aortic arch V I becomes much
enlarged in its ventral part in correlation with the fact that it
supplies the pulmonary artery.


AC'I‘IN01"l‘ERYGII.——-I11 the Teleostean fishes and in the Ganoids
AC'I‘IN01"l‘ERYGII.——-I11 the Teleostean fishes and in the Ganoids that approach must nearly to them (Lepido.steu,.s'—-—I*‘. W. Muller, 1897; Am'ia—-—-Allis, 1000) complicated changes, which need not be detailed, take place in arches I and II in relation with the blood supply of the pseudobranch which in these fishes (p. 159) comes to lie on the inner surface of the operculum.
that approach must nearly to them (Lepido.steu,.s'—-—I*‘. W. Muller,
1897; Am'ia—-—-Allis, 1000) complicated changes, which need not be
detailed, take place in arches I and II in relation with the blood
supply of the pseudobranch which in these fishes (p. 159) comes to
lie on the inner surface of the operculum.


DIPNOI.-—-I11 Lepidosiren (Robertson, 1913) aortic arches I and II
DIPNOI.-—-I11 Lepidosiren (Robertson, 1913) aortic arches I and II never become complete well-developed vessels: they are vestigial and their ventral portions do not appear to develop at all. The remaining four aortic arches are well developed, each passes out into an external gill and in each an intercalary piece becomes developed to short-circuit the blood-stream at the time the external gills atrophy. In 0’emtodus and P9-otupterus efferent downgrowths make their appearance as in Elasmobranchs but they remain connected with the dorsal portion of their own aortic arch and do not undergo fusion at their ventral ends so that the condition in the adult departs less from the primitive than it does in the Elasmobranch.
never become complete well-developed vessels: they are vestigial
and their ventral portions do not appear to develop at all. The
remaining four aortic arches are well developed, each passes out into
an external gill and in each an intercalary piece becomes developed
to short-circuit the blood-stream at the time the external gills
atrophy. In 0’emtodus and P9-otupterus efferent downgrowths make
their appearance as in Elasmobranchs but they remain connected
with the dorsal portion of their own aortic arch and do not undergo
fusion at their ventral ends so that the condition in the adult
departs less from the primitive than it does in the Elasmobranch.


AMPHIBIA»-—In U rodela the arrangement of aortic arches
AMPHIBIA»-—In U rodela the arrangement of aortic arches (Fig. 186, B) closely resembles that in Lung-fishes. Arches I and II are reduced: the latter in fact is according to Maurer (1888) no longer to be detected at all in the case of ’['7~zJt0n. Arches III, IV and V are prolonged outwards into external gills and in each case a short-circuiting piece becomes intercalated as the external gills lose their functional activity. According to Maurer the intercalary portion makes its appearance as a downgrowth from the dorsal or efferent limb of the aortic arch but this may perhaps be doubted in view of the fact that in Lung-fishes the corresponding piece of vessel develops by the widening out of pre-existing chinks (Robertson, 1913).
(Fig. 186, B) closely resembles that in Lung-fishes. Arches I and
II are reduced: the latter in fact is according to Maurer (1888) no
longer to be detected at all in the case of ’['7~zJt0n. Arches III,
IV and V are prolonged outwards into external gills and in each
case a short-circuiting piece becomes intercalated as the external
gills lose their functional activity. According to Maurer the intercalary portion makes its appearance as a downgrowth from the
dorsal or efferent limb of the aortic arch but this may perhaps be
doubted in view of the fact that in Lung-fishes the corresponding
piece of vessel develops by the widening out of pre-existing chinks
(Robertson, 1913).


AMNIO'1‘A.—-Arch IV along with the aortic root into which it
AMNIO'1‘A.—-Arch IV along with the aortic root into which it passes forms the main systemic aorta on each side. That of the left side is connected, in correlation with the spiral twist of the VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 401
passes forms the main systemic aorta on each side. That of the
left side is connected, in correlation with the spiral twist of the
VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 401


conus and its derivatives, with the 'r'£_qht side of the ventricular
conus and its derivatives, with the 'r'£_qht side of the ventricular cavity in proximity to the opening of the pulmonary artery. With the. separation of the two ventricles the arch in question remains connected with the right ventricle. With increasing efliciency of the pulmonary circulation the venous blood of the right ventricle would he drawn off more and more to the pulmonary artery and, correlated with this, we find in those Sauropsida in which metabolism is most active and respiration most efiicient that this fourth arch on the left side with its aortic root disappears completely (luring development, leaving only the single right-hand arch and
cavity in proximity to the opening of the pulmonary artery. With
the. separation of the two ventricles the arch in question remains
connected with the right ventricle. With increasing efliciency of
the pulmonary circulation the venous blood of the right ventricle
would he drawn off more and more to the pulmonary artery and,
correlated with this, we find in those Sauropsida in which metabolism
is most active and respiration most efiicient that this fourth
arch on the left side with its aortic root disappears completely
(luring development, leaving only the single right-hand arch and


VNIII
VNIII
Line 1,911: Line 552:
aczz 0?.
aczz 0?.


   
 
 


 
   
 


4/I ’
V)




Fm. l89.——lll()0(l-Vessels of (Jroeodile of stage 55-56. (After Hochstetter, 1906*.)
Arteries are shown in outline, veins black.


u.I'.r, :mte1mr cardinal vein; .l.;, :lm't:(' root; /mt, b:1.~.Il:u artery; ¢l.a-, (l()l:~.'ll em-ot,ul ; oi, otocyst;
4/I ’ V)
p,«-.4‘, 1u)sfL'I‘I0l'('ardInal win; 1.)). right pulmonary an Lt-I) : ear. venttal e.'uot.d ; HI-\ I. aoilic an-hes.


root to form the proximal part of the systemic aorta. (Birds, Fig.
187 A, 1)). '


Arch V, in the Anmiota, appears only transiently and so greatly
Fm. l89.——lll()0(l-Vessels of (Jroeodile of stage 55-56. (After Hochstetter, 1906*.) Arteries are shown in outline, veins black.
reduced in size as to have completely escaped the notice of the
earlier investigators. Hence in Rathke’s classical scheme of the
aortic arches which is given in the older text-books only five arches
are shown, the posterior one being called the fifth. With our
present-day knowledge of the homology of the lungs of Amniota
with those of Orossopterygians and Lung—fishes, such a scheme is
clearly erroneous, as it would involve the pulmonary artery, which
is certainly the same vessel throughout, taking its origin in the
Ainniotes from the fifth and in the Ichthyopsida from the sixth
aortic arch. So without any special embryological data we should


VOL. 11 2 D
u.I'.r, :mte1mr cardinal vein; .l.;, :lm't:(' root; /mt, b:1.~.Il:u artery; ¢l.a-, (l()l:~.'ll em-ot,ul ; oi, otocyst; p,«-.4‘, 1u)sfL'I‘I0l'('ardInal win; 1.)). right pulmonary an Lt-I) : ear. venttal e.'uot.d ; HI-\ I. aoilic an-hes.
402 EMl%RY()L0(l‘rY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


be justified in believing that in the Ainniota an aortic arch has
root to form the proximal part of the systemic aorta. (Birds, Fig. 187 A, 1)). '
disappeared in front of the last one. The persisting vestiges of this
fifth arch, which are now known to occur commonly in the embryos
of the Amniota, we"e detected first by van llemmelen (1886) in
Reptiles and Birds. A good example of such a vestigial fifth arch is
seen in the embryo of the Crocodile (Fig. 189). ‘


The cause of the reduction of this fifth aortic arch is probably to
Arch V, in the Anmiota, appears only transiently and so greatly reduced in size as to have completely escaped the notice of the earlier investigators. Hence in Rathke’s classical scheme of the aortic arches which is given in the older text-books only five arches are shown, the posterior one being called the fifth. With our present-day knowledge of the homology of the lungs of Amniota with those of Orossopterygians and Lung—fishes, such a scheme is clearly erroneous, as it would involve the pulmonary artery, which is certainly the same vessel throughout, taking its origin in the Ainniotes from the fifth and in the Ichthyopsida from the sixth aortic arch. So without any special embryological data we should
be recognized in the fact that it receives its blood from the pulmonary
cavity of the conus and of the ventral aorta (Graham Kerr, 1907*‘).
As a consequence of this, during the evolution of the lungs as the
main organs of respiration a larger and larger proportion of the
blood in the cavity mentioned has become drawn off to the lungs,
leaving less and less for arch V, with the natural result that the
latter has become reduced to the verge ol'disappea1'ance.


Before leaving the subject of the aortic arches it is necessary to
VOL. 11 2 D 402 EMl%RY()L0(l‘rY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
point out that their diagrammatic arrangement as shown in Figs. 186
and 187 is commonly much obscured in the adult. For during
development there occur not merely the disappearance of large.
portions of the original scheme of arches and the straightening out
of the unnecessary curves, but also other complications. The chief
of these are due to the longitudinal vessels———ventral aorta or aortic
roots-——lagging behind in their growth in length. This leads,
according to the position in which it takes place, to the crowding
together of the ventral or the dorsal ends of consecutive aortic
arches, and their mere approximation may he succeeded by actual
fusion so that two or more arches may come to have a common root
emerging from the. ventral aorta, or a common terminal portion
opening into the aortic root.


PULMONARY AR'1‘En\'.——The pulmonary artery makes its first
be justified in believing that in the Ainniota an aortic arch has disappeared in front of the last one. The persisting vestiges of this fifth arch, which are now known to occur commonly in the embryos of the Amniota, we"e detected first by van llemmelen (1886) in Reptiles and Birds. A good example of such a vestigial fifth arch is seen in the embryo of the Crocodile (Fig. 189). ‘
appearance in Crossopterygian fishes (1’0l_7/ptelrus) as a branch from
arch VI towards its ventral end which passes to the lung and
adjoining parts of the pharyngeal wall. Throughout the series of
lung—breathing Vertebrates it develops similarly as an outgrowth of
the sixth aortic arch. A result of the main blq rod-St1'(‘a.1n of this arch
passing olfinto the pulmonary branch is that the dorsal part of the arch
lying beyond the point of origin of the pulmonary artery becomes as a
rule reduced in size, forming the duct of Botallus. Except in the case
of certain Reptiles (p. 397) the duct cl‘ Botallus becomes in normal
individuals of the Amniota completely obliterated soon after birth.


In the Lung-fishes the point of origin of the pulmonary artery is
The cause of the reduction of this fifth aortic arch is probably to be recognized in the fact that it receives its blood from the pulmonary cavity of the conus and of the ventral aorta (Graham Kerr, 1907*‘). As a consequence of this, during the evolution of the lungs as the main organs of respiration a larger and larger proportion of the blood in the cavity mentioned has become drawn off to the lungs, leaving less and less for arch V, with the natural result that the latter has become reduced to the verge ol'disappea1'ance.
displaced up to the dorsal end of arch VI where it is fused with
arch V. Thus arch V is able to carry blood directly to the pulmonary
artery and correlated with this it does not undergo the reduction in
size which has taken place in the Amniota.


In Lepiclosiren and Protopterus an important development of the
Before leaving the subject of the aortic arches it is necessary to point out that their diagrammatic arrangement as shown in Figs. 186 and 187 is commonly much obscured in the adult. For during development there occur not merely the disappearance of large. portions of the original scheme of arches and the straightening out of the unnecessary curves, but also other complications. The chief of these are due to the longitudinal vessels———ventral aorta or aortic roots-——lagging behind in their growth in length. This leads, according to the position in which it takes place, to the crowding together of the ventral or the dorsal ends of consecutive aortic arches, and their mere approximation may he succeeded by actual fusion so that two or more arches may come to have a common root emerging from the. ventral aorta, or a common terminal portion opening into the aortic root.
pulmonary artery takes place inasmuch as its area of distribution
extends on to the lung belonging morphologically to the other side of
VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 403


the body. Thus the right pulmonary artery comes to supply the dorsal
PULMONARY AR'1‘En\'.——The pulmonary artery makes its first appearance in Crossopterygian fishes (1’0l_7/ptelrus) as a branch from arch VI towards its ventral end which passes to the lung and adjoining parts of the pharyngeal wall. Throughout the series of lung—breathing Vertebrates it develops similarly as an outgrowth of the sixth aortic arch. A result of the main blq rod-St1'(‘a.1n of this arch passing olfinto the pulmonary branch is that the dorsal part of the arch lying beyond the point of origin of the pulmonary artery becomes as a rule reduced in size, forming the duct of Botallus. Except in the case of certain Reptiles (p. 397) the duct cl‘ Botallus becomes in normal individuals of the Amniota completely obliterated soon after birth.
side of both lungs, and the left artery the ventral side of both lungs.
Each lung in other words receives a supply of blood from. both
pulmonary arteries and this illustrates an initial step towards the
condition in Am/in, where the right and left sides of the air-bladder—
the homologue of the right lung—-are supplied with blood directly by
a typical right and left pulmonary artery. ln the Actinopterygian
fishes apart from Amid. the pulmonary artery has disappeared entirely
from development and the air-bladder receives its blood-supply by
se.condary connexions with the dorsal aorta and its branches.


CAROTII) ARTERIES. As has already been indicated the great
In the Lung-fishes the point of origin of the pulmonary artery is displaced up to the dorsal end of arch VI where it is fused with arch V. Thus arch V is able to carry blood directly to the pulmonary artery and correlated with this it does not undergo the reduction in size which has taken place in the Amniota.
longitudinal arteries ventral and dorsal aortae-—-are prolonged forwards into the region of the head as the carotid arteries——ventral and
dorsal. Of these the latter, receiving as it does, in the ease of the more
primitive Vertebrates, blood which has been oxygenated by passing
through the gills, becomes the more important and is responsible
for supplying blood to the brain. .


The ventral carotids are found from the Lung-fishes onwards——
In Lepiclosiren and Protopterus an important development of the pulmonary artery takes place inasmuch as its area of distribution extends on to the lung belonging morphologically to the other side of VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 403
perhaps in correlation with the reduction of the first two aortic arches.
They are known eonnn only under the name external earotid( = lingual
artery of Amphibia) and supply blood to the ventral side of the head,
though cases are known amongst animals no longer having functional gills (certain Mammals) in which they take over the bloodsupply of the brain also.


lt will be convenient to consider first the carotids as they occur
the body. Thus the right pulmonary artery comes to supply the dorsal side of both lungs, and the left artery the ventral side of both lungs. Each lung in other words receives a supply of blood from. both pulmonary arteries and this illustrates an initial step towards the condition in Am/in, where the right and left sides of the air-bladder— the homologue of the right lung—-are supplied with blood directly by a typical right and left pulmonary artery. ln the Actinopterygian fishes apart from Amid. the pulmonary artery has disappeared entirely from development and the air-bladder receives its blood-supply by se.condary connexions with the dorsal aorta and its branches.
in the development of the Amniota. The simplest condition is
found in an ordinary Lizard (Lacerm) where they are seen as
apparent prolongations forwards of the aortic root and of the ventral
aorta respectively. This simple arrangement becomes in otherAmniota
modified during the course of development i11 different ways, of which
the following are the chief. In various Lizards ag. Chameleons
and Monitors (and the same holds for the great majority of Amniota
——Fig. 187, A) the portion of aortic root between aortic arches III
and IV disappears during development, the consequence being that
arch III comes to form the posterior portion of the internal carotid
artery, becoming drawn out in the process of growth so as to be in
line with the front part of that artery derived from the aortic root.
The paired part of the ventral aorta from which the third arch was
given off now becomes the common carotid artery (ac). The unpaired portion of the ventral aorta, from which the common carotids
spring, is known as the primary carotid and in the long-necked
monitors this becomes much elongated, the growth in length of the
neck taking place in the region between aortic arches Ill and IV
(Fig. 187, A).


In the European Grass-snake (Tropidonotus, Fig. 187,- B) an
CAROTII) ARTERIES. As has already been indicated the great longitudinal arteries ventral and dorsal aortae-—-are prolonged forwards into the region of the head as the carotid arteries——ventral and dorsal. Of these the latter, receiving as it does, in the ease of the more primitive Vertebrates, blood which has been oxygenated by passing through the gills, becomes the more important and is responsible for supplying blood to the brain. .
anastomosis is formed between the two internal carotids just behind
the head (Fig. 187, B, an) and, correlated with this, the right common
carotid as a rule disappears except for a small branch at its hinder
404 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


end which supplies the Thyroid gland (O'Donoghue, 1912). The
The ventral carotids are found from the Lung-fishes onwards—— perhaps in correlation with the reduction of the first two aortic arches. They are known eonnn only under the name external earotid( = lingual artery of Amphibia) and supply blood to the ventral side of the head, though cases are known amongst animals no longer having functional gills (certain Mammals) in which they take over the bloodsupply of the brain also.
blood-supply of the head-region therefore passes to it entirely by
the persisting left common carotid (c.c). In Snakes other than
’1'rop7ld0notus considerable variety exists in the condition of the
common carotids. Thus amongst the Boidae the two arteries may
remain of approximately equal size (Bria) or on the other hand the
left may be reduced (Pg/tIa.0'n.).


In Chelonians and Crocodiles (Fig. 187A, C) the growth in length
lt will be convenient to consider first the carotids as they occur in the development of the Amniota. The simplest condition is found in an ordinary Lizard (Lacerm) where they are seen as apparent prolongations forwards of the aortic root and of the ventral aorta respectively. This simple arrangement becomes in otherAmniota modified during the course of development i11 different ways, of which the following are the chief. In various Lizards ag. Chameleons and Monitors (and the same holds for the great majority of Amniota ——Fig. 187, A) the portion of aortic root between aortic arches III and IV disappears during development, the consequence being that arch III comes to form the posterior portion of the internal carotid artery, becoming drawn out in the process of growth so as to be in line with the front part of that artery derived from the aortic root. The paired part of the ventral aorta from which the third arch was given off now becomes the common carotid artery (ac). The unpaired portion of the ventral aorta, from which the common carotids spring, is known as the primary carotid and in the long-necked monitors this becomes much elongated, the growth in length of the neck taking place in the region between aortic arches Ill and IV (Fig. 187, A).
of the neck takes place in the region in front of arch 111 so that
here it is the portions of the carotid arteries in front of this level
which undergo elongation. In both of these groups an anastomosis
forms in the head-region between dorsal and ventral carotids and,
correlated with this, the main blood-stream tends to pass to the head
by the dorsal carotids, the ventral vessels becoming to a less (Crocodiles) or greater extent (Chclonians) reduced in size (van Bemmelen,
1887; Mackay, 1889). In the Crocodiles a still further modification
takes place, inasmuch as the two dorsal carotids become for a
considerable, part of their length fused together into a single vessel,
and following upon this aortic arch lll of the right side atrophies, so
that here as in '/'7"0})id07L0tus, though for a different reason, the main
blood-supply of the head comes from the left side.


In the Birds the condition closely resembles that of the Crocodile.
In the European Grass-snake (Tropidonotus, Fig. 187,- B) an anastomosis is formed between the two internal carotids just behind the head (Fig. 187, B, an) and, correlated with this, the right common carotid as a rule disappears except for a small branch at its hinder 404 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
Here also the ventral carotids become reduced —in this case to the
point of complete disappearance——in the neck region as a (‘.O11b'e(_111OIlC0,
of an anastomosis with the dorsal carotids in the head. Here also
the. enlarged dorsal carotids approach one another on the ventral
side of the vertebral column. In those birds which depart least
from the primitive condition in this respect (Ostrich, Emu, Casuari,
Tinamus, Penguins, Divers, Gulls, Plovers, Snipe, Rails and their
allies, Fowls, Pigeons, Ducks, Ihises, Storks, Herons, Cormorants and
some Gannets, Birds of Prey, Parrots, Hornbills, Motmots, Goatsuckers) the two definitive carotids merely lie in proximity to one
another. I11 many birds however they become fused together into a
single vessel over a great part of their length and in such a case
there may be no further modification (certain Herons such as the
common Bittern, some Cockatoos, some Uannets), or, as is the general
rule, this fusion is followed by the disappearance of the third aortic
arch of the right side just as was the case in the Crocodiles (Rhea,
Apterg/ac, Grrebes, Quails, some Cockatoos, Capitonidae, 'l‘oucans,
Hoopoe, Meropidae, Trogons, VVoodpeckers, most Swifts, Humming
birds a11d Passerine birds). I11 a few cases on the other hand it is
the third aortic arch of the left side which becomes reduced to a
small vestige (l3‘l-amingo) or disappears entirely (.E'upod0t'is—-— the
African Bastard).


Amongst the anamniotic Vertebrates typical dorsal and ventral
end which supplies the Thyroid gland (O'Donoghue, 1912). The blood-supply of the head-region therefore passes to it entirely by the persisting left common carotid (c.c). In Snakes other than ’1'rop7ld0notus considerable variety exists in the condition of the common carotids. Thus amongst the Boidae the two arteries may remain of approximately equal size (Bria) or on the other hand the left may be reduced (Pg/tIa.0'n.).
carotids are present in Amphibians a11d Lung-fishes. The arrangement in Urodeles is illustrated by Fig..186, B: the chief peculiarity
to be noted is that the posterior portion of the external carotid (12.0)
VI - ARTERIAL SYSTEM 405


has disappeared in the adult, the persisting anterior portion receiving its blood through a new anastomotie channel (cm) from the
In Chelonians and Crocodiles (Fig. 187A, C) the growth in length of the neck takes place in the region in front of arch 111 so that here it is the portions of the carotid arteries in front of this level which undergo elongation. In both of these groups an anastomosis forms in the head-region between dorsal and ventral carotids and, correlated with this, the main blood-stream tends to pass to the head by the dorsal carotids, the ventral vessels becoming to a less (Crocodiles) or greater extent (Chclonians) reduced in size (van Bemmelen, 1887; Mackay, 1889). In the Crocodiles a still further modification takes place, inasmuch as the two dorsal carotids become for a considerable, part of their length fused together into a single vessel, and following upon this aortic arch lll of the right side atrophies, so that here as in '/'7"0})id07L0tus, though for a different reason, the main blood-supply of the head comes from the left side.
third aortic arch. The posterior portion of the “external carotid”
or “lingual artery ” of the adult Amphibian is really constituted by
this new development.


The connexion of this newly developed portion of vessel with
In the Birds the condition closely resembles that of the Crocodile. Here also the ventral carotids become reduced —in this case to the point of complete disappearance——in the neck region as a (‘.O11b'e(_111OIlC0, of an anastomosis with the dorsal carotids in the head. Here also the. enlarged dorsal carotids approach one another on the ventral side of the vertebral column. In those birds which depart least from the primitive condition in this respect (Ostrich, Emu, Casuari, Tinamus, Penguins, Divers, Gulls, Plovers, Snipe, Rails and their allies, Fowls, Pigeons, Ducks, Ihises, Storks, Herons, Cormorants and some Gannets, Birds of Prey, Parrots, Hornbills, Motmots, Goatsuckers) the two definitive carotids merely lie in proximity to one another. I11 many birds however they become fused together into a single vessel over a great part of their length and in such a case there may be no further modification (certain Herons such as the common Bittern, some Cockatoos, some Uannets), or, as is the general rule, this fusion is followed by the disappearance of the third aortic arch of the right side just as was the case in the Crocodiles (Rhea, Apterg/ac, Grrebes, Quails, some Cockatoos, Capitonidae, 'l‘oucans, Hoopoe, Meropidae, Trogons, VVoodpeckers, most Swifts, Humming birds a11d Passerine birds). I11 a few cases on the other hand it is the third aortic arch of the left side which becomes reduced to a small vestige (l3‘l-amingo) or disappears entirely (.E'upod0t'is—-— the African Bastard).
arch III is just at the point where the short circuit is formed
between the afferent and efferent parts of the arch, and in Lungfishes (.Lep'id0si7*em——Robertson, 1913) the blood-supply for the
external carotid comes to it, for a time during early stages, from the
dorsal end of arch III or from the aortic root, through what seems
to be a precocious development of this same short-circuiting channel.
In this case the vessel in question is at first simply continued from
its dorsal origin forwards into the external carotid: it is only later
that it communicates with the ventral or afferent end. of arch III
so as on the one hand to form the short circuit, and on the other to
permit the blood to pass to the external carotid from the ventral aorta.


In the more typical fishes the ventral carotid is not yet present.
Amongst the anamniotic Vertebrates typical dorsal and ventral carotids are present in Amphibians a11d Lung-fishes. The arrangement in Urodeles is illustrated by Fig..186, B: the chief peculiarity to be noted is that the posterior portion of the external carotid (12.0) VI - ARTERIAL SYSTEM 405
The dorsal carotids of the two sides develop an anastomotic connexion beneath the base of the skull so  to form with the aortic
roots a complete “ cephalic circle” which shows characteristic differences in different Teleostean fishes (Ridewood, 1899).


INTE'RSE(_T}MENTAL Anrsmes or TIIE BoI)Y-WALL.-—-'1‘he dorsal
has disappeared in the adult, the persisting anterior portion receiving its blood through a new anastomotie channel (cm) from the third aortic arch. The posterior portion of the “external carotid” or “lingual artery ” of the adult Amphibian is really constituted by this new development.
aorta gives off on its dorsal side paired arteries which run out into
the body wall between the Inyotomes. One of the most important
features of this series of intersegmental vessels is that for a time
during early stages of development they provide the blood-supply to
the limb rudiments.


The main artery of the fore-limbw-the subclavian artery-—
The connexion of this newly developed portion of vessel with arch III is just at the point where the short circuit is formed between the afferent and efferent parts of the arch, and in Lungfishes (.Lep'id0si7*em——Robertson, 1913) the blood-supply for the external carotid comes to it, for a time during early stages, from the dorsal end of arch III or from the aortic root, through what seems to be a precocious development of this same short-circuiting channel. In this case the vessel in question is at first simply continued from its dorsal origin forwards into the external carotid: it is only later that it communicates with the ventral or afferent end. of arch III so as on the one hand to form the short circuit, and on the other to permit the blood to pass to the external carotid from the ventral aorta.
appears during the stages in question to be simply a prolongation
into the limb rudiment from one of these intersegmental arteries»not necessarily the same artery of the series in different types of
Vertebrate, or even in different developmental stages of the same
Vertebrate. Thus in Lacerta it is said to be the seventh intersegmental artery (van Bemmelen, Hochstetter, 1906) which becomes
the subclavian artery and in the Fowl the fifteenth (eighteenth or
nineteenth if the three or four intersegmental vessels in the headregion are ineluded—-—Hochstetter, 1890). In the Duck, Rabl (1907)
found that during the fifth day of incubation the subclavian varies
from the eighteenth to the twenty-first intersegmental artery and
that in some cases two or even three such Vessels may pass out into
the limb rudiment at one time.


Probably we may take it that the‘ general principle at work is
In the more typical fishes the ventral carotid is not yet present. The dorsal carotids of the two sides develop an anastomotic connexion beneath the base of the skull so to form with the aortic roots a complete “ cephalic circle” which shows characteristic differences in different Teleostean fishes (Ridewood, 1899).
this——-that the limb, as it became shifted along the side of the body in
the course of evolution, received its blood-supply from successive intersegmental arteries as it came to be opposite to them, and that during
ontogeny there takes place an imperfect repetition (bf this process.


The fact that the pectoral limb is supplied with blood. by an
INTE'RSE(_T}MENTAL Anrsmes or TIIE BoI)Y-WALL.-—-'1‘he dorsal aorta gives off on its dorsal side paired arteries which run out into the body wall between the Inyotomes. One of the most important features of this series of intersegmental vessels is that for a time during early stages of development they provide the blood-supply to the limb rudiments.
406 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.


intersegmental artery raises the question whether or not this is to be
The main artery of the fore-limbw-the subclavian artery-— appears during the stages in question to be simply a prolongation into the limb rudiment from one of these intersegmental arteries»not necessarily the same artery of the series in different types of Vertebrate, or even in different developmental stages of the same Vertebrate. Thus in Lacerta it is said to be the seventh intersegmental artery (van Bemmelen, Hochstetter, 1906) which becomes the subclavian artery and in the Fowl the fifteenth (eighteenth or nineteenth if the three or four intersegmental vessels in the headregion are ineluded—-—Hochstetter, 1890). In the Duck, Rabl (1907) found that during the fifth day of incubation the subclavian varies from the eighteenth to the twenty-first intersegmental artery and that in some cases two or even three such Vessels may pass out into the limb rudiment at one time.
regarded as the primitive mode of blood-supply. For if this question
he answered in the affirmative We should be confronted with a11
important point which would have to be borne in mind in all speculations as to the evolutionary origin of the limbs of Vertebrates. As a
matter of fact, however, recent investigations tend to answer this
question in the negative.


In the Chick (Evans, 1909) the limb rudiment in its earliest
Probably we may take it that the‘ general principle at work is this——-that the limb, as it became shifted along the side of the body in the course of evolution, received its blood-supply from successive intersegmental arteries as it came to be opposite to them, and that during ontogeny there takes place an imperfect repetition (bf this process.
stages is traversed by an irregular network of blood spaces and this
receives its blood-supply directly from the dorsal aoi ta by a number
of slender ehannels——it may be as many as ten or eleven on the
right side where they are commonly most numerous. These vessels
are scattered irregularly over an antero—posterior extent of from
three to five mesoderm segments and they take their origin from the
dorsal aorta quite independently of and considerably ventral to the
intersegmental arteries. As developmeiit proceeds a few of these
supply channels those. which happen to be most nearly intersegmental in position———beco1ne relatively larger and finally a single
one, at about the level of the eighteenth intersegmental artery,
becomes especially enlarged and carries the main stream of blood to
the limb rudiment while the others gradually diminish in size and
eventually disappear. The persisting enlarged Vessel becomes the
subclavian artery and secondarily its origin from the aorta becomes
displaced in a dorsal direction until eventually it arises by a common
root along with the intersegmental artery of which it now appears
to form a branch.


In the Duck similar observations have been made so we are
The fact that the pectoral limb is supplied with blood. by an 406 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.
probably justified in stating that in the earliest stages of ontogenetie
development the blood-supply of the pectoral limb is not metameric,
and that the relation with the intersegmental artery observed in
slightly later stages is a secondary acquii-ement.


In most vertebrates the subclavian artery which arises in the
intersegmental artery raises the question whether or not this is to be regarded as the primitive mode of blood-supply. For if this question he answered in the affirmative We should be confronted with a11 important point which would have to be borne in mind in all speculations as to the evolutionary origin of the limbs of Vertebrates. As a matter of fact, however, recent investigations tend to answer this question in the negative.
manner above. described (primary subclavian) persists throughout
life. In Birds however a cross connexion develops between the
primary subclavian just at the base of the limb, and the ventral end
of the third aortic arch. This cross connexion gradually increases in
size while the proximal part of the primary subclavian, arising from
the aortic root, becomes correspondingly reduced and eventually
disappears entirely. The result is that the permanent artery of the
fore-limb in the adult branches off’, not from the dorsal aortic root but
from the definitive ('z3.e. morphologically “intcrnal”) carotid, close to
its hinder end. . A similar substitution takes place in Chelonians and
Crocodiles (Fig. l87A, O) and this is the explanation, first given by
Mackay (1889), of the otherwise puzzling fact that in certain Vertebrates the subclavian artery passes out ventrally to the vagus nerve
(“secondary subclavian ”) instead of dorsally as it does normally.


The iliac artery to thehind limb has also been traced back in at
In the Chick (Evans, 1909) the limb rudiment in its earliest stages is traversed by an irregular network of blood spaces and this receives its blood-supply directly from the dorsal aoi ta by a number of slender ehannels——it may be as many as ten or eleven on the right side where they are commonly most numerous. These vessels are scattered irregularly over an antero—posterior extent of from three to five mesoderm segments and they take their origin from the dorsal aorta quite independently of and considerably ventral to the intersegmental arteries. As developmeiit proceeds a few of these supply channels those. which happen to be most nearly intersegmental in position———beco1ne relatively larger and finally a single one, at about the level of the eighteenth intersegmental artery, becomes especially enlarged and carries the main stream of blood to the limb rudiment while the others gradually diminish in size and eventually disappear. The persisting enlarged Vessel becomes the subclavian artery and secondarily its origin from the aorta becomes displaced in a dorsal direction until eventually it arises by a common root along with the intersegmental artery of which it now appears to form a branch.
least Lizards and Birds to the series of intersegmental arteries but
vr ARTERIAL SYSTEM 407


here again it would appear from later investigations that the
In the Duck similar observations have been made so we are probably justified in stating that in the earliest stages of ontogenetie development the blood-supply of the pectoral limb is not metameric, and that the relation with the intersegmental artery observed in slightly later stages is a secondary acquii-ement.
definitive artery is merely a surviving and enlarged representative
of a number of original supply vessels (Evans, 1909).


’tepresentatives of the series of intersegmental arteries are
In most vertebrates the subclavian artery which arises in the manner above. described (primary subclavian) persists throughout life. In Birds however a cross connexion develops between the primary subclavian just at the base of the limb, and the ventral end of the third aortic arch. This cross connexion gradually increases in size while the proximal part of the primary subclavian, arising from the aortic root, becomes correspondingly reduced and eventually disappears entirely. The result is that the permanent artery of the fore-limb in the adult branches off’, not from the dorsal aortic root but from the definitive ('z3.e. morphologically “intcrnal”) carotid, close to its hinder end. . A similar substitution takes place in Chelonians and Crocodiles (Fig. l87A, O) and this is the explanation, first given by Mackay (1889), of the otherwise puzzling fact that in certain Vertebrates the subclavian artery passes out ventrally to the vagus nerve (“secondary subclavian ”) instead of dorsally as it does normally.
recognizable in various Vertebrates in the hinder part of the headregion. Thus in Lacerta (van Bemmelen, Hochstetter, 1906) three
have been detected in the head-region. Of these the first two disappear while the third becomes prolonged forwards immediately
beneath the brain to become continuous with the internal carotid at
the level of the mid-brain. These prolongations fuse together in the
mid-line and form the basilar artery.


A similar basilar artery continuous with the internal carotids is
The iliac artery to thehind limb has also been traced back in at least Lizards and Birds to the series of intersegmental arteries but vr ARTERIAL SYSTEM 407
of common occurrence in Vertebrates though the relations of its
paired fore-runner to the series of intersegmental arteries differ in
different forms.


The vertebral artery of Sauropsida is in its origin intimately
here again it would appear from later investigations that the definitive artery is merely a surviving and enlarged representative of a number of original supply vessels (Evans, 1909).
related to the interserrmental arteries. Thus in Lacertrr. the intersegmental vessels posterior to the subclavian become connected
together by a longitudinal anastomotic vessel, which persists and
forms the cervical portion of the vertebral artery. In Snakes the
two similarly-arising vessels apparently usually undergo fusion
together in their anterior portion while farther back the unpaired
condition is reached by the disappearance of the rudime.nt on the
right side (Hochstetter, 1906).


The arterial blood-supply of the urino-genital organs is also
’tepresentatives of the series of intersegmental arteries are recognizable in various Vertebrates in the hinder part of the headregion. Thus in Lacerta (van Bemmelen, Hochstetter, 1906) three have been detected in the head-region. Of these the first two disappear while the third becomes prolonged forwards immediately beneath the brain to become continuous with the internal carotid at the level of the mid-brain. These prolongations fuse together in the mid-line and form the basilar artery.
generally provided by branches from the intersegmental arteries of
the embryo.


M1«JsEN'1‘E1tIC Au'1‘E1uEs. The digestive tract receives a varying
A similar basilar artery continuous with the internal carotids is of common occurrence in Vertebrates though the relations of its paired fore-runner to the series of intersegmental arteries differ in different forms.
number of branches from the dorsal aorta which may be at first
paired and undergo fusion secondarily or may be impaired from the
beginning. In those vertebrates which have a bulky yolk—sae a
pair of these are precociously developed as vitelline arteries. In
some cases there is a remarkable relation between the chief mesenterie
artery (coeliac) and the prone] )ll1'OS. Thus in L6})’id08'I:I'(3'Il. a connexion
becomes established between the blood-spaces of the. right pronephros
and those of the gut wall, and the branch of the dorsal aorta which
supplies the right pronephros persists as the root of the definitive
eoeliac artery. In such Teleostean fishes as the. Trout the connexion
with the pronephric arterial supply is only temporary, a new
anastomotic channel arising farther back between dorsal aorta


and mesenteric artery which remains as the definitive root of the
The vertebral artery of Sauropsida is in its origin intimately related to the interserrmental arteries. Thus in Lacertrr. the intersegmental vessels posterior to the subclavian become connected together by a longitudinal anastomotic vessel, which persists and forms the cervical portion of the vertebral artery. In Snakes the two similarly-arising vessels apparently usually undergo fusion together in their anterior portion while farther back the unpaired condition is reached by the disappearance of the rudime.nt on the right side (Hochstetter, 1906).
latter vessel.
 
The arterial blood-supply of the urino-genital organs is also generally provided by branches from the intersegmental arteries of the embryo.
 
M1«JsEN'1‘E1tIC Au'1‘E1uEs. The digestive tract receives a varying number of branches from the dorsal aorta which may be at first paired and undergo fusion secondarily or may be impaired from the beginning. In those vertebrates which have a bulky yolk—sae a pair of these are precociously developed as vitelline arteries. In some cases there is a remarkable relation between the chief mesenterie artery (coeliac) and the prone] )ll1'OS. Thus in L6})’id08'I:I'(3'Il. a connexion becomes established between the blood-spaces of the. right pronephros and those of the gut wall, and the branch of the dorsal aorta which supplies the right pronephros persists as the root of the definitive eoeliac artery. In such Teleostean fishes as the. Trout the connexion with the pronephric arterial supply is only temporary, a new anastomotic channel arising farther back between dorsal aorta
 
and mesenteric artery which remains as the definitive root of the latter vessel.




VENOUS SYsTEM.——-As an example of the development of the
VENOUS SYsTEM.——-As an example of the development of the


venous system in a holoblastic Vertebrate we will take that of
venous system in a holoblastic Vertebrate we will take that of Lep1Idos'£1'e7t (Robertson, 1913)}
Lep1Idos'£1'e7t (Robertson, 1913)}


‘ For comparison with Lcpidosirmz, an account of the development of the vascular
‘ For comparison with Lcpidosirmz, an account of the development of the vascular system of Uemtodus will be found in Kellicott (1905). 408 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.vI
system of Uemtodus will be found in Kellicott (1905).
408 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.vI


The first part of the venous system (Fig. 190, A)—indeed of the,
The first part of the venous system (Fig. 190, A)—indeed of the, vascular systen1——-—to take definite form consists of the two vitelline veins, which pass tailwards ove.r the anterior surface of the yolk (stage 24). Anteriorly they become conjoined to form the heart while ,‘posteriorly they are continued into the rudiments of the vitelliue network (stage 24-25). The ap]»earanee ol' the vitelline. veins is followed almost immediately by the development of a longitudinal venous channel on each side anteriorly, superlicial to the aortic arches ——the anterior cardinal vein. At its hinder bud the anterior cardinal is continued into a set of venous spaces in the region of the pronephros (pronephric sinus) and onwards behind this as the posterior cardinal vein.
vascular systen1——-—to take definite form consists of the two vitelline
veins, which pass tailwards ove.r the anterior surface of the yolk
(stage 24). Anteriorly they become conjoined to form the heart
while ,‘posteriorly they are continued into the rudiments of the vitelliue
network (stage 24-25). The ap]»earanee ol' the vitelline. veins is
followed almost immediately by the development of a longitudinal
venous channel on each side anteriorly, superlicial to the aortic arches
——the anterior cardinal vein. At its hinder bud the anterior
cardinal is continued into a set of venous spaces in the region of the
pronephros (pronephric sinus) and onwards behind this as the
posterior cardinal vein.


The pronephrie sinus is continued along its oute.r edge, by a
The pronephrie sinus is continued along its oute.r edge, by a number of channels, into the vitelline network of venous spaces, lying in the, splanchnic niesoderni over the surface of the yolk. In this network a conspicuous channel becomes apparent, leading from the anterior end of the ]_)l'()ll£’1)lll'lC sinus outwards to the vitelline vein, and so, by way of the anterior part of the vitelline Vein, to the heart. This vessel so constituted, which at iirst makes a wide sweep over the lateral surface of the yolk, is the Duct of Cuvier (Fig. 190, b, (L0). As development goes on the Ducts of (luvier becoine greatly shortened and at the same time widened until e\'e.ntually they form in the adult very short wide channels for the conveyance of the blood from the cardinal veins into the sinus venosus (see. Fig. 190, b and e and d).
number of channels, into the vitelline network of venous spaces,
lying in the, splanchnic niesoderni over the surface of the yolk. In
this network a conspicuous channel becomes apparent, leading from
the anterior end of the ]_)l'()ll£’1)lll'lC sinus outwards to the vitelline
vein, and so, by way of the anterior part of the vitelline Vein, to the
heart. This vessel so constituted, which at iirst makes a wide sweep
over the lateral surface of the yolk, is the Duct of Cuvier (Fig. 190,
b, (L0). As development goes on the Ducts of (luvier becoine
greatly shortened and at the same time widened until e\'e.ntually
they form in the adult very short wide channels for the conveyance
of the blood from the cardinal veins into the sinus venosus (see. Fig.
190, b and e and d).


The posterior cardinal vein on each side ap])ea1‘s about stage 24
The posterior cardinal vein on each side ap])ea1‘s about stage 24 in the form of spaces along the course of the archinephrie duct which become joined up so as to form two longitudinal Vessels running parallel to the duct, one on its mediodorsal the other on its ventrolateral side, the two vessels being joined round the duct by numerous anastomoses (Fig. 190, h and e, ;u.c.v).
in the form of spaces along the course of the archinephrie duct
which become joined up so as to form two longitudinal Vessels
running parallel to the duct, one on its mediodorsal the other on its
ventrolateral side, the two vessels being joined round the duct by
numerous anastomoses (Fig. 190, h and e, ;u.c.v).


These. posterior cardinal veins accompany the archinepliric duets
These. posterior cardinal veins accompany the archinepliric duets throughout their length and just in front of the cloaca are joined by the hind ends of the bifurcated subintestinal vein (see below) and of the dorsal aorta. The vessel formed on each side by the union of these three elements is continued back last the cloaca and unites with its fellow of the opposite side to form a vessel lying iinmediately beneath the post-anal gut. This vessel is to be interpreted 1norpho_ logically as a post-anal ])o1‘tion of the sul )lllbC‘Sl}l]l{1]. vein and as will be shown later it is destined to become the caudal vein of the adult.
throughout their length and just in front of the cloaca are joined by
the hind ends of the bifurcated subintestinal vein (see below) and of
the dorsal aorta. The vessel formed on each side by the union of
these three elements is continued back last the cloaca and unites
with its fellow of the opposite side to form a vessel lying iinmediately
beneath the post-anal gut. This vessel is to be interpreted 1norpho_
logically as a post-anal ])o1‘tion of the sul )lllbC‘Sl}l]l{1]. vein and as will
be shown later it is destined to become the caudal vein of the adult.


It will now be convenient to trace. out the subsequent fate of
It will now be convenient to trace. out the subsequent fate of what may be called the dorsal venous system, consisting primarily of the anterior and posterior cardinal veins.
what may be called the dorsal venous system, consisting primarily
of the anterior and posterior cardinal veins.


POSTERIOR CARDINAL V1«11Ns.——’l‘he posterior cardinal Vein Was
POSTERIOR CARDINAL V1«11Ns.——’l‘he posterior cardinal Vein Was left in the form of a pair of vessels, an inner and an outer, lying close to the archinephric duct and connected together by numerous anastomoses. As the opisthonephros develops between these channels they consequently co1ne,over a considerable part of their length, to be VI . VENOUS SYSTEM 417
left in the form of a pair of vessels, an inner and an outer, lying
close to the archinephric duct and connected together by numerous
anastomoses. As the opisthonephros develops between these channels
they consequently co1ne,over a considerable part of their length, to be
VI . VENOUS SYSTEM 417


blood-stream passes through these communications into the posterior
blood-stream passes through these communications into the posterior cardinals and the latter take on the appearance of a direct forward prolongation of the caudal vein.
cardinals and the latter take on the appearance of a direct forward
prolongation of the caudal vein.


Dorsally there develops on each_ side a cardinal trunk which
Dorsally there develops on each_ side a cardinal trunk which swells out into a great irregular sinus (pa) in the region of the pronephros, On its outer side branches pass from the pronephric sinus into the general vitelline network. In this network a specially wide channel develops, starting from the pronephric sinus and sweeping outwards over the yolk to join the lateral’ vitelline vein and so reach the heart. This channel, which becomes gradually more and more sharply defined, is the duct of Cuvier (Fig; 193, A, (L0). The pronephric sinus is continued backwards into the posterior cardinal vein. This is at first distinct from its fellow but at an early stage fuses with it to form a median inter—renal vein (Fig. 193, B, 7I7')—--the fusion being foreshadowed by the development of anastomotic conncxions between the two veins while still separated from one another by a distinct space (Fig. 193, A, an). Towards the cloaca the posterior cardinals taper off and are connected by irregular anastomotic ehannels_ with the subintestinal vein, as already mentioned, and also with the dorsal aorta. Eventually, as -already indicated, the inter-renal vein and the caudal vein form a continuous vessel.
swells out into a great irregular sinus (pa) in the region of the
pronephros, On its outer side branches pass from the pronephric
sinus into the general vitelline network. In this network a specially
wide channel develops, starting from the pronephric sinus and
sweeping outwards over the yolk to join the lateral’ vitelline vein
and so reach the heart. This channel, which becomes gradually
more and more sharply defined, is the duct of Cuvier (Fig; 193, A,
(L0). The pronephric sinus is continued backwards into the
posterior cardinal vein. This is at first distinct from its fellow but
at an early stage fuses with it to form a median inter—renal vein
(Fig. 193, B, 7I7')—--the fusion being foreshadowed by the development of anastomotic conncxions between the two veins while still
separated from one another by a distinct space (Fig. 193, A, an).
Towards the cloaca the posterior cardinals taper off and are connected by irregular anastomotic ehannels_ with the subintestinal
vein, as already mentioned, and also with the dorsal aorta. Eventually, as -already indicated, the inter-renal vein and the caudal vein
form a continuous vessel.


During the later stages a striking asymmetry becomes apparent
During the later stages a striking asymmetry becomes apparent in the anterior, unfused, portions of the posterior cardinals——the left becoming greatly reduced as compared with the right (Fig. 193, D). The main blood-stream thus passesforwards on the right side, and upon this side a special direct channel develops on the ventral side of the pronephros, through which the blood-stream is able to reach the duct of Cuvier without passing through the tangle of pronephric tubules. The asymmetry affects also the ducts of Cuvier-— showing itself first in that of the left side becoming relatively shorter than its fellow, which retains for a time its wide sweep over the surface of the yolk (Fig. 193, B and C, d.(/"9. Eventually it too becomes shortened and its calibre becomes considerably greater than that of the left side (Fig. 193, D).
in the anterior, unfused, portions of the posterior cardinals——the
left becoming greatly reduced as compared with the right (Fig. 193,
D). The main blood-stream thus passesforwards on the right side,
and upon this side a special direct channel develops on the ventral
side of the pronephros, through which the blood-stream is able to
reach the duct of Cuvier without passing through the tangle of
pronephric tubules. The asymmetry affects also the ducts of Cuvier-—
showing itself first in that of the left side becoming relatively
shorter than its fellow, which retains for a time its wide sweep over
the surface of the yolk (Fig. 193, B and C, d.(/"9. Eventually it too
becomes shortened and its calibre becomes considerably greater than
that of the left side (Fig. 193, D).


From the pronephric sinus a branch (Z/2:) develops about stage
From the pronephric sinus a branch (Z/2:) develops about stage 30 which passes dorsalwards and then backwards beneath the lateral line nerve-—the lateral cutaneous vein. This, a large vessel about stage 33, becomes reduced to an insignificant vestige later on.
30 which passes dorsalwards and then backwards beneath the lateral
line nerve-—the lateral cutaneous vein. This, a large vessel about
stage 33, becomes reduced to an insignificant vestige later on.


The anterior cardinal vein runs along the side of the head region,
The anterior cardinal vein runs along the side of the head region, passing through the angle on the ventromesial side of the otocyst, between the latter and the brain-wall. At its front end the vein dilates into a large sinus, which gives off irregular branches to the mesoderm of the head. At an early stage an anastornotic channel makes its appearance on the outer side of the otocyst continuous anteriorly and posteriorly with the anterior cardinal. When this channel has been established (Fig. 193, A, La) the blood-stream from the head divides in front of the otocyst and passes backwards, part
passing through the angle on the ventromesial side of the otocyst,
between the latter and the brain-wall. At its front end the vein
dilates into a large sinus, which gives off irregular branches to the
mesoderm of the head. At an early stage an anastornotic channel
makes its appearance on the outer side of the otocyst continuous
anteriorly and posteriorly with the anterior cardinal. When this
channel has been established (Fig. 193, A, La) the blood-stream from
the head divides in front of the otocyst and passes backwards, part


VOL. 11 2 E
VOL. 11 2 E 410 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.
410 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.


separated from one another by a considerable space in which the
separated from one another by a considerable space in which the renal organ lies. As this happens the inner components of the two posterior cardinals become approximated and eventually undergo fusion with one another to form an inter-renal vein (Fig. 190, d, 'i9'.'v). In _Lep1Idosi'ren this fusion is only temporary and the two components again recede from one another—remaining, however, connected by a small number of anastomotic vessels (Fig. 190, e). There now takes place a severance of the continuity of the inner component at its hinder end (Fig. 190, e,"*), and a little later a similar severance of the outer component at its front end. The physiological result of these interruptions of continuity is that the blood from the caudal region now reaches the opisthonephros entirely by way of the outer component, it then passes through the substance of the kidney and is draine.d away entirely by the inner component. In other words the outer component and its backward continuation has now become the renal portal Vein.
renal organ lies. As this happens the inner components of the two
posterior cardinals become approximated and eventually undergo
fusion with one another to form an inter-renal vein (Fig. 190, d, 'i9'.'v).
In _Lep1Idosi'ren this fusion is only temporary and the two components again recede from one another—remaining, however, connected
by a small number of anastomotic vessels (Fig. 190, e). There now
takes place a severance of the continuity of the inner component at
its hinder end (Fig. 190, e,"*), and a little later a similar severance of
the outer component at its front end. The physiological result of these
interruptions of continuity is that the blood from the caudal region
now reaches the opisthonephros entirely by way of the outer component, it then passes through the substance of the kidney and is
draine.d away entirely by the inner component. In other words the
outer component and its backward continuation has now become the
renal portal Vein.


While these changes are going on in the opisthonephric region of
While these changes are going on in the opisthonephric region of the posterior cardinal the portion of that vein in front of the opisthonephros takes on the form of a single channel, the original inner component becoming enlarged while-the outer component becomes reduced and eventually disappears. The rightand left posterior cardinal veins in this region in front of the opisthonephros become connected by numerous transverse vessels (Fig. 190, d). A short circuit now becomes established by which the, blood from the right posterior cardinal can pass direct to the sinus venosus through the substance of the liver (Fig. 190, d, 12/0.0).
the posterior cardinal the portion of that vein in front of the opisthonephros takes on the form of a single channel, the original inner
component becoming enlarged while-the outer component becomes
reduced and eventually disappears. The rightand left posterior cardinal
veins in this region in front of the opisthonephros become connected
by numerous transverse vessels (Fig. 190, d). A short circuit now
becomes established by which the, blood from the right posterior
cardinal can pass direct to the sinus venosus through the substance
of the liver (Fig. 190, d, 12/0.0).


This short-circuiting channel is of great morphological importance. It constitutes the intrahepatic or headward section of the
This short-circuiting channel is of great morphological importance. It constitutes the intrahepatic or headward section of the posterior (“inferior”) vena cava, which in the higher vertebrates becomes the largest vein in the body. lts appearance here is followed by two important results. (1) The main blood-stream from the kidney region tends to pass to the heart, more and more by this direct channel, which in correlation with this becomes larger and larger. (2) The portion of right posterior cardinal vein lying behind its junction with the intrahepatic channel becomes correspondingly e11la.I'ge( l.
posterior (“inferior”) vena cava, which in the higher vertebrates
becomes the largest vein in the body. lts appearance here is followed
by two important results. (1) The main blood-stream from the
kidney region tends to pass to the heart, more and more by this
direct channel, which in correlation with this becomes larger and
larger. (2) The portion of right posterior cardinal vein lying behind
its junction with the intrahepatic channel becomes correspondingly
e11la.I'ge( l.


These two components together constitute the definitive posterior
These two components together constitute the definitive posterior vena cava, in which vessel therefore. we recognize two fundamentally distinct portions, an anterior or intrahcpatic, and a posterior or cardinal. A secondary result of the diversion of the blood-stream from the right posterior cardinal vein through the hepatic component is that the anterior portion of the former vein, lying in front of the junction of the two components, becomes relatively reduced in size. It loses its continuity with the rest of the. right posterior cardinal and persists as the small vein shown at 12 iii Fig. 190, e.
vena cava, in which vessel therefore. we recognize two fundamentally
distinct portions, an anterior or intrahcpatic, and a posterior or
cardinal. A secondary result of the diversion of the blood-stream
from the right posterior cardinal vein through the hepatic component is that the anterior portion of the former vein, lying in front
of the junction of the two components, becomes relatively reduced in
size. It loses its continuity with the rest of the. right posterior
cardinal and persists as the small vein shown at 12 iii Fig. 190, e.


An important clue to the origin of the. posterior vena cava in
An important clue to the origin of the. posterior vena cava in phylogeny is given by the condition seen in the adults of existing L1.1ng-fishes. The opisthonephros in these vertebrates retains its VI VEINS OF LEPIDOSIREN 411
phylogeny is given by the condition seen in the adults of existing
L1.1ng-fishes. The opisthonephros in these vertebrates retains its
VI VEINS OF LEPIDOSIREN 411


primitive elongated form, extending far forwards in the splanchnocoele, and the iront end of the right opisthoncphros is in immediate
primitive elongated form, extending far forwards in the splanchnocoele, and the iront end of the right opisthoncphros is in immediate apposition to the tip of the liver which is also situated dorsally and on the right side. It is no doubt the approximation of the tips of these two organs, still persisting iii the adult Dipnoan, which paved the way for the establislnnent of direct continuity between their vascular networks and the consequent short-circniting of the renal blood through the hepatic vci11 into the heart (Graham Kerr, 1910)
apposition to the tip of the liver which is also situated dorsally and
on the right side. It is no doubt the approximation of the tips of
these two organs, still persisting iii the adult Dipnoan, which
paved the way for the establislnnent of direct continuity between
their vascular networks and the consequent short-circniting of the
renal blood through the hepatic vci11 into the heart (Graham Kerr,
1910)


The ladder-like connexions between right and left posterior
The ladder-like connexions between right and left posterior aardinals in the region anterior to the inter-renal vein gradually disappear in turn from before backwards (Fig. 190, d and e).
aardinals in the region anterior to the inter-renal vein gradually
disappear in turn from before backwards (Fig. 190, d and e).


ANTERIOR CARDIN AL V EIN s.——Apart from relatively less important
ANTERIOR CARDIN AL V EIN s.——Apart from relatively less important details, the chief change which comes about in regard to the anterior cardinal is the diversion of the blood-stream about the level of the otocyst into a more laterally placed channel called the lateral cephalic vein, which eventually becomes intercalated in the course of the anterior cardinal, and to all appearance forms simply a portion of that vein (Fig. 190, (1, L0). The anterior cardinal vein at first passes back along the side of the head region (following the course shown by the dotted outline i11 Fig. 190, d), ventral to the otocyst and internal to the posterior cranial nerves, to join the front end of the pronephric sinus. Presently (stage 30) a branch of the anterior cardinal vein makes its appearance and extends backwards external to the ganglion of the seventh cranial nerve, bending inwards and n-joininlg the anterior cardinal between the eighth and ninth cranial nerves. A little later (stage 31) the vessel forming the outer side of this loop becomes prolonged back and forms a second loop external to the ninth cranial nerve and rejoining the main Vessel between nerves IX and X. Finally (stage 31 + ) a similar extension backwards occurs external to the vagus, rejoining the anterior cardinal vein just behind it. ’l‘he lateral cephalic vein develops from the outer portions of these three vascular loops, the development of each of the three segments being followed by the atrophy of the corresponding section of the original anterior cardinal, except in the case of the most posterior section which persists as a short wide vein opening along with the posterior cerebral vein (ce”) into the definitive anterior cardinal.
details, the chief change which comes about in regard to the anterior
cardinal is the diversion of the blood-stream about the level of the
otocyst into a more laterally placed channel called the lateral
cephalic vein, which eventually becomes intercalated in the course
of the anterior cardinal, and to all appearance forms simply a portion
of that vein (Fig. 190, (1, L0). The anterior cardinal vein at first
passes back along the side of the head region (following the course
shown by the dotted outline i11 Fig. 190, d), ventral to the otocyst
and internal to the posterior cranial nerves, to join the front end of
the pronephric sinus. Presently (stage 30) a branch of the anterior
cardinal vein makes its appearance and extends backwards external
to the ganglion of the seventh cranial nerve, bending inwards and
n-joininlg the anterior cardinal between the eighth and ninth cranial
nerves. A little later (stage 31) the vessel forming the outer side
of this loop becomes prolonged back and forms a second loop external
to the ninth cranial nerve and rejoining the main Vessel between
nerves IX and X. Finally (stage 31 + ) a similar extension backwards
occurs external to the vagus, rejoining the anterior cardinal vein
just behind it. ’l‘he lateral cephalic vein develops from the outer
portions of these three vascular loops, the development of each of
the three segments being followed by the atrophy of the corresponding section of the original anterior cardinal, except in the case of the
most posterior section which persists as a short wide vein opening
along with the posterior cerebral vein (ce”) into the definitive anterior
cardinal.


VENTRAI. VENOUS SYSTEM.-—In addition to the dorsally placed
VENTRAI. VENOUS SYSTEM.-—In addition to the dorsally placed cardinal veins there. exist certain important veins situated more ventrally and developed in relation with the vitelline veins. The vitelline veins spread backwards on each side as a wide vessel consisting of an enlarged channel of the vitelline network which covers the whole surface of the yolk. Posteriorly they unite in the. midventral line to form a very short subintestinal vein in front of the an11s (Fig. 190, O, S.’t.’I)). Later on the space bounded by the two vitelline veins becomes bisected by a median ventral vein which looks like a prolongation forwards of the subintestinal vein and 412 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
cardinal veins there. exist certain important veins situated more
ventrally and developed in relation with the vitelline veins. The
vitelline veins spread backwards on each side as a wide vessel consisting of an enlarged channel of the vitelline network which covers
the whole surface of the yolk. Posteriorly they unite in the. midventral line to form a very short subintestinal vein in front of the
an11s (Fig. 190, O, S.’t.’I)). Later on the space bounded by the two
vitelline veins becomes bisected by a median ventral vein which
looks like a prolongation forwards of the subintestinal vein and
412 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


is known by the same name. (Fig. 190, D, s.z';v”). It will be realized
is known by the same name. (Fig. 190, D, s.z';v”). It will be realized that this anterior section of the subintestinal vein is developmentally of a different nature from the posterior portion for it is formed by a short-eircuiting of the blood-stream through the vitelline network, while the posterior portion represents rather the conjoined hinder ends of the paired vitelline veins (Fig. 190, O and D). This difference in development is no doubt purely secondary and we may take it that the later condition, where the subintestinal vein is continuous right forwards to the heart, represents the really primitive condition of this vein in evolution. The continuity of the subintestinal vein at its front end with the heart is brought about in ontogeny through blood-sinuses which make their appearance in the liver (stage 3]).
that this anterior section of the subintestinal vein is developmentally
of a different nature from the posterior portion for it is formed by a
short-eircuiting of the blood-stream through the vitelline network,
while the posterior portion represents rather the conjoined hinder
ends of the paired vitelline veins (Fig. 190, O and D). This difference in development is no doubt purely secondary and we may take
it that the later condition, where the subintestinal vein is continuous
right forwards to the heart, represents the really primitive condition
of this vein in evolution. The continuity of the subintestinal vein
at its front end with the heart is brought about in ontogeny through
blood-sinuses which make their appearance in the liver (stage 3]).


The right vitelline vein and the anterior, secondarily formed,
The right vitelline vein and the anterior, secondarily formed, portion of the subintestinal vein now gradually disappear (about stages :52 - ‘%5). The left vitelline vein ceases to form a continuous channel over the surface of the liver to the heart, so that the blood in it is forced to traverse the system of blood sinuses within the liver. 111 other words the whole of the blood which streams forwards in the subintestinal vein is diverted along the persisting left vitelline vein into the network of blood spaces in the liver. Subintestinal vein and left vitelline vein have thus come to constitute the hepatic portal vein. 'l‘he latter becomes complicated by a branch sprouting out from the front end of its subintestinal portion. This branch spreads round the alimentary canal along the line of the spiral valve, fusing with the subintestinal vein at each point of intersection (Fig. 190, F). As the liver increases in length a special supply channel from the portal vein lengthens out along its left side, giving off numerous branches into the liver substance (Fig. 190, F). From this the blood drains by numerous efferent vessels into the intrahepatic portion of the posterior vena cava.
portion of the subintestinal vein now gradually disappear (about
stages :52 - ‘%5). The left vitelline vein ceases to form a continuous
channel over the surface of the liver to the heart, so that the blood
in it is forced to traverse the system of blood sinuses within the
liver. 111 other words the whole of the blood which streams forwards
in the subintestinal vein is diverted along the persisting left vitelline
vein into the network of blood spaces in the liver. Subintestinal
vein and left vitelline vein have thus come to constitute the hepatic
portal vein. 'l‘he latter becomes complicated by a branch sprouting
out from the front end of its subintestinal portion. This branch
spreads round the alimentary canal along the line of the spiral valve,
fusing with the subintestinal vein at each point of intersection
(Fig. 190, F). As the liver increases in length a special supply
channel from the portal vein lengthens out along its left side, giving
off numerous branches into the liver substance (Fig. 190, F). From
this the blood drains by numerous efferent vessels into the intrahepatic portion of the posterior vena cava.


CAUDAI. VI«:IN.——’.l‘hc post-anal portion of the subintestinal vein
CAUDAI. VI«:IN.——’.l‘hc post-anal portion of the subintestinal vein was left (p. 408) at a stage when its anterior bifurcated portion was continuous on each side not only with the pre-anal portion of the same vein but also with the dorsal aorta and the posterior cardinal. As development goes’ on the first two of these connexions disappear so that the post-anal subintestinal vein is new continuous anteriorly only with the posterior cardinal. VVith the atrophy of the post-anal gut, it comes to lie immediately beneath the caudal portion of the dorsal aorta and is now known as the caudal vein, its anterior forked portion forming the binder ends of the renal portals.
was left (p. 408) at a stage when its anterior bifurcated portion was
continuous on each side not only with the pre-anal portion of the
same vein but also with the dorsal aorta and the posterior cardinal.
As development goes’ on the first two of these connexions disappear
so that the post-anal subintestinal vein is new continuous anteriorly
only with the posterior cardinal. VVith the atrophy of the post-anal
gut, it comes to lie immediately beneath the caudal portion of the
dorsal aorta and is now known as the caudal vein, its anterior
forked portion forming the binder ends of the renal portals.


The veins which have been described constitute the main trunks
The veins which have been described constitute the main trunks of the venous system; in the later stages of development a number of other important vessels appear which are indicated in the diagrams. The subclavian vein (Fig. 190, d, .9) appears about stage 31 + leading from the pectoral limb into the pronephric sinus. As this sinus atrophies the point of opening of the subclavian vein comes to be situated on the anterior cardinal vein (Fig. 190, e, s). From the subclavian vein a small lateral cutaneous vein (Lo) passes back VI VENOUS SYSTEM 413
of the venous system; in the later stages of development a number
of other important vessels appear which are indicated in the
diagrams. The subclavian vein (Fig. 190, d, .9) appears about stage
31 + leading from the pectoral limb into the pronephric sinus. As
this sinus atrophies the point of opening of the subclavian vein comes
to be situated on the anterior cardinal vein (Fig. 190, e, s). From
the subclavian vein a small lateral cutaneous vein (Lo) passes back
VI VENOUS SYSTEM 413


in tl1e body-wall. An inferior jugular vein (7}.j) passes back from
in tl1e body-wall. An inferior jugular vein (7}.j) passes back from the head-region, lateral to the pericardiae cavity, and opens into the anterior cardinal close to its hind end and on its ventral side. In later stages the po_int of junction of the inferior ji1g11la1' with the anterior cardinal comes to be shifted relatively forwards, as was the case with the suhclavian. Farther forwards the anterior cardinal is joined by an anterior and a posterior cerebral vein (ce’ and ca”) from
the head-region, lateral to the pericardiae cavity, and opens into the
anterior cardinal close to its hind end and on its ventral side. In
later stages the po_int of junction of the inferior ji1g11la1' with the
anterior cardinal comes to be shifted relatively forwards, as was the
case with the suhclavian. Farther forwards the anterior cardinal is
joined by an anterior and a posterior cerebral vein (ce’ and ca”) from


d.C.
d.C.
Line 2,531: Line 703:
D
D


Flu. 191.—Diagrams illustrating early stages in the development of the venous system
Flu. 191.—Diagrams illustrating early stages in the development of the venous system of Elasmobranchs according to Rah] (1892) and Hochstetter (1906).
of Elasmobranchs according to Rah] (1892) and Hochstetter (1906).


«.0. v, anterior cardinal vein; om, fused portion of \-'it'..ellim- veins behind liver; rl, posii.ion of cloaca;
«.0. v, anterior cardinal vein; om, fused portion of \-'it'..ellim- veins behind liver; rl, posii.ion of cloaca; 4l._('_', duct oi‘ Uuvier; h..:', hepatic vein; p.(_'.'1‘, posterior cardinal vein; s.i.'v, subintestinal vein; ruv, vitelline vein ; :0/..s'.v, main vein from yolk sue.
4l._('_', duct oi‘ Uuvier; h..:', hepatic vein; p.(_'.'1‘, posterior cardinal vein; s.i.'v, subintestinal vein; ruv,
vitelline vein ; :0/..s'.v, main vein from yolk sue.


the inside of the head. At the hind end of the system rectal (7')
the inside of the head. At the hind end of the system rectal (7') and pelvic (pl) veins open into the renal portal. The former appear to be the persistent remains of the anastomotic branches which in early stages connected the hind end of the subintestinal vein with the posterior cardinal.
and pelvic (pl) veins open into the renal portal. The former appear
to be the persistent remains of the anastomotic branches which in
early stages connected the hind end of the subintestinal vein with
the posterior cardinal.


ELASMOB_RANCIIII.——It is instructive to compare with the development of the venous system in a holohlastic vertebrate the corresponding phenomena as they occur in the Elasmobranchs, the lowest of the
ELASMOB_RANCIIII.——It is instructive to compare with the development of the venous system in a holohlastic vertebrate the corresponding phenomena as they occur in the Elasmobranchs, the lowest of the nieroblastic gnathostomes. An inspection of Fig. 191 brings out the most conspicuous difference, one that could be foretold a priori, 414 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
nieroblastic gnathostomes. An inspection of Fig. 191 brings out the
most conspicuous difference, one that could be foretold a priori,
414 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


namely that, in agreement with the general principle «that animals
namely that, in agreement with the general principle «that animals with a large supply of yolk tend to show a precocious development of the vessels on the surface of the yolk, the vitelline veins and their derivatives make their appearance relatively earlier as compared with the cardinals than they do in Lepirlomlren.
with a large supply of yolk tend to show a precocious development
of the vessels on the surface of the yolk, the vitelline veins and their
derivatives make their appearance relatively earlier as compared
with the cardinals than they do in Lepirlomlren.


Here again the first of the main trunks to make their appearance
Here again the first of the main trunks to make their appearance are the vite.lline veins, which by their fusion anteriorly form the heart (Fig. 191, A, 12.12). The most conspicuous difference in the next subsequent stages is that the two veins are for a considerable period strongly asymmetrical (Fig. 191, B), the right becoming greatly “reduced, and only the left being commonly traceable back into the subintestinal vein (1’r7Istiurus——Rab1, 1892 ; Accmth'ias——Hoffmann, 1893). There can be no reasonable doubt that this is to be looked upon as a secondary modification of a symmetrical condition of the two veins as seen in Le}7'id0s’iTe7b, and probably the impelling factor which has brought about the modification is to be recognized in the fact that the main channel for draining away the blood from the surface of the yolk-sac is situated on the left side and opens into the left vitelline vein (Fig. 191, 3/.s.v).
are the vite.lline veins, which by their fusion anteriorly form the
heart (Fig. 191, A, 12.12). The most conspicuous difference in the
next subsequent stages is that the two veins are for a considerable
period strongly asymmetrical (Fig. 191, B), the right becoming greatly
“reduced, and only the left being commonly traceable back into the
subintestinal vein (1’r7Istiurus——Rab1, 1892 ; Accmth'ias——Hoffmann,
1893). There can be no reasonable doubt that this is to be looked upon
as a secondary modification of a symmetrical condition of the two
veins as seen in Le}7'id0s’iTe7b, and probably the impelling factor which
has brought about the modification is to be recognized in the fact that
the main channel for draining away the blood from the surface of the
yolk-sac is situated on the left side and opens into the left vitelline
vein (Fig. 191, 3/.s.v).


The unpaired mesial prolongation forwards of the subintestinal
The unpaired mesial prolongation forwards of the subintestinal vein between the two vitelline veins which was so conspicuous in Lepidoselren has not been noticed in Elasmobranchs.
vein between the two vitelline veins which was so conspicuous in
Lepidoselren has not been noticed in Elasmobranchs.


Both vitelline veins break up into a network as they traverse
Both vitelline veins break up into a network as they traverse the liver, the parts of the veins in front of this network persisting as the hepatic veins of the adult (Fig. 191, l), /my). The portion of right vitelline vein behind this network is for a time much reduced, the left alone serving to supply the network with blood. Immediately behind the live.r, and in front of the yolk-sac vein, the two vitelline veins are fused together for a short distance into a single vessel (Fig. 191, C, an), and the same is the case again from about the level of the pancreas backwards where they form the subintestinal vei11, though it should be noticed that there still persist during early stages of the development of the subintestinal vein in Elasmobranchs distinct traces of the paired condition, the vein consisting of two parallel components situated on each side of the mid-ventral line of the intestine. These components soon become connected together by numerous anastomoses and eventually fuse completely to form a median vessel except where this is prevented by the presence of the cloaca.
the liver, the parts of the veins in front of this network persisting
as the hepatic veins of the adult (Fig. 191, l), /my). The portion of
right vitelline vein behind this network is for a time much reduced,
the left alone serving to supply the network with blood. Immediately
behind the live.r, and in front of the yolk-sac vein, the two vitelline
veins are fused together for a short distance into a single vessel (Fig.
191, C, an), and the same is the case again from about the level of
the pancreas backwards where they form the subintestinal vei11,
though it should be noticed that there still persist during early stages
of the development of the subintestinal vein in Elasmobranchs
distinct traces of the paired condition, the vein consisting of two
parallel components situated on each side of the mid-ventral line of
the intestine. These components soon become connected together
by numerous anastomoses and eventually fuse completely to form a
median vessel except where this is prevented by the presence of the
cloaca.


The main vein from the yolk-sac (3/.s.-v) joins the left vitelline
The main vein from the yolk-sac (3/.s.-v) joins the left vitelline vein in the region in front of the pancreas and presently the portion of left vitelline vein behind the opening of the yolk-sac vein disappears. It thus comes about that the blood from the subintestinal vein passes forwards to the liver entirely through the right vitelline vein---in contrast with Lepidosiren where it did so by the left vitelline vein.
vein in the region in front of the pancreas and presently the portion
of left vitelline vein behind the opening of the yolk-sac vein disappears. It thus comes about that the blood from the subintestinal
vein passes forwards to the liver entirely through the right vitelline
vein---in contrast with Lepidosiren where it did so by the left vitelline
vein.


Cardinal veins and duct of Cuvier make their appearance, the
Cardinal veins and duct of Cuvier make their appearance, the chief difference from Lepidosdren being the comparative shortness of VI VENOUS SYSTEM 415
chief difference from Lepidosdren being the comparative shortness of
VI VENOUS SYSTEM 415


the duct of Cuvier which does not take the wide sweep over the
the duct of Cuvier which does not take the wide sweep over the surface of the yolk that it does in Lepitlosrkren during early stages. This difference is related to the fact that here the first rudiment ‘of the duct of Uuvier opens into a portion of the vitelline vein which has fused witl1 its fellow to form the hind end of the cardiac tube, while in Lep'izl0s'i7'e7t it opens much farther back, the result being that in Le_p'i(l0.‘i'r6'n a considerable stretch of free vitelline vein becomes incorporated in the definitive duct of Cuvier (compare Figs. 191, C and 190, b).
surface of the yolk that it does in Lepitlosrkren during early stages.
This difference is related to the fact that here the first rudiment ‘of
the duct of Uuvier opens into a portion of the vitelline vein which has
fused witl1 its fellow to form the hind end of the cardiac tube, while in
Lep'izl0s'i7'e7t it opens much farther back, the result being that in Le_p'i(l0.‘i'r6'n a considerable stretch of free vitelline vein becomes incorporated
in the definitive duct of Cuvier (compare Figs. 191, C and 190, b).


As in Lepwlclosirevi. the caudal vein becomes continuous with the
As in Lepwlclosirevi. the caudal vein becomes continuous with the posterior cardinals and loses its continuity with the pre-anal portion of the subintestinal vein. The inter-renal vein however develops here simply as a forward extension of the caudal vein according to Rabl. A number of anastomotic vessels connect up the inter-renal vein with the “posterior cardinal ”—-—the equivalent of the external component of this vein in Lep'idos'£7'en. The posterior cardinal now becomes obliterated behind the anterior one of’ theseanas tomotic vessels while the inter-renal becomes separated off from the caudal vein so that the whole blood-stream from the latter has to pass through the kidneys to reach the inter-renal. The latter vein splits into a pair of vessels eventually, thereby revealing that the inter-renal vein here is homologous with that of L6p'icl0si}'c7l in spite of’ its difl'erent———no doubt secondarily modified-—mode of development.
posterior cardinals and loses its continuity with the pre-anal portion
of the subintestinal vein. The inter-renal vein however develops
here simply as a forward extension of the caudal vein according to
Rabl. A number of anastomotic vessels connect up the inter-renal
vein with the “posterior cardinal ”—-—the equivalent of the external
component of this vein in Lep'idos'£7'en. The posterior cardinal now
becomes obliterated behind the anterior one of’ theseanas tomotic vessels
while the inter-renal becomes separated off from the caudal vein so
that the whole blood-stream from the latter has to pass through the
kidneys to reach the inter-renal. The latter vein splits into a pair of
vessels eventually, thereby revealing that the inter-renal vein here is
homologous with that of L6p'icl0si}'c7l in spite of’ its difl'erent———no
doubt secondarily modified-—mode of development.


The anterior cardinal vein here again becomes in part replaced
The anterior cardinal vein here again becomes in part replaced by a lateral cephalic vein.
by a lateral cephalic vein.


In the lower vertebrates in general we may recognize the same
In the lower vertebrates in general we may recognize the same main trunks as occur in Dipnoi and Elasmobranehs, with differences in detail. The following account gives an outline sketch of the development of the venous system in the various groups, the outline being filled in more fully in the case of 1’ol3/pte7"u.s on account of the very archaic character of this fish.
main trunks as occur in Dipnoi and Elasmobranehs, with differences
in detail. The following account gives an outline sketch of the
development of the venous system in the various groups, the outline
being filled in more fully in the case of 1’ol3/pte7"u.s on account of the
very archaic character of this fish.


CYeI.0s'1‘0MA'1‘A.———ln the Lamprey, according to Goette (1890),
CYeI.0s'1‘0MA'1‘A.———ln the Lamprey, according to Goette (1890), the pair of vitelline veins appear first, spreading backwards on either side of the liver rudiment and meeting behind in the unpaired and much dilated subintestinal vein (Fig. 192, A). The vitelline veins break up into a network in the liver b11t on the left side the posthepatic section of vitelline vein disappears, so that the hepatic portal vein is formed by the subintestinal and right vitelline vei11 (Fig. 192, B and ())—somewhat as in the Elasmobranch, and unlike Legnldosiren where it is the right vein which disappears. 'l‘he vein of the “spiral valve.” of the intestine arises comparatively late, at the time of metamorphosis according to Goette, and on the opposite side of the gut from that on which the subintestinal vein lies. This latter is no longer ventral but high up on the right side, owing to a rotation which the gut has undergone.
the pair of vitelline veins appear first, spreading backwards on either
side of the liver rudiment and meeting behind in the unpaired and
much dilated subintestinal vein (Fig. 192, A). The vitelline veins
break up into a network in the liver b11t on the left side the posthepatic section of vitelline vein disappears, so that the hepatic portal
vein is formed by the subintestinal and right vitelline vei11 (Fig.
192, B and ())—somewhat as in the Elasmobranch, and unlike
Legnldosiren where it is the right vein which disappears. 'l‘he vein
of the “spiral valve.” of the intestine arises comparatively late, at
the time of metamorphosis according to Goette, and on the opposite
side of the gut from that on which the subintestinal vein lies. This
latter is no longer ventral but high up on the right side, owing to a
rotation which the gut has undergone.


The anterior and posterior cardinal veins present the peculiarity
The anterior and posterior cardinal veins present the peculiarity that they open at first separately into the vitelline veins. Later they become fused together to form the duct of Cuvier. Eventually the 416 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.
that they open at first separately into the vitelline veins. Later
they become fused together to form the duct of Cuvier. Eventually the
416 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.


left duct of Cuvier disappears completely (Fig. 192, C) the blood from
left duct of Cuvier disappears completely (Fig. 192, C) the blood from the left cardinals passing to the right side by a new anastomotic vessel which develops ventral to the dorsal aorta (Fig. 192, C, an)—-an arrangement presenting a remarkable analogy with what happens in certain Mammals.
the left cardinals passing to the right side by a new anastomotic
vessel which develops ventral to the dorsal aorta (Fig. 192, C, an)—-an arrangement presenting a remarkable analogy with what happens
in certain Mammals.


CROSSO1’TERY(‘}1'I.——-II1 these archaic Teleostonies the main features
CROSSO1’TERY(‘}1'I.——-II1 these archaic Teleostonies the main features of the development of the venous system have been investigated in P0lypterus—the less specialized of the two surviving genera (Graham Kerr, 1907).
of the development of the venous system have been investigated in
P0lypterus—the less specialized of the two surviving genera (Graham
Kerr, 1907).


In the earliest stage described there is a well-developed subintestinal vein which in front breaks up into a vitelline network.
In the earliest stage described there is a well-developed subintestinal vein which in front breaks up into a vitelline network.


Fm. 19‘3.-—-l)evelopment of veins in P(’tI'()uJ_7/2-;'n-N. as seen from the ventral side.
Fm. 19‘3.-—-l)evelopment of veins in P(’tI'()uJ_7/2-;'n-N. as seen from the ventral side. (Al'1'er Goette, 1890.)
(Al'1'er Goette, 1890.)


c_z.r.r, anterior c-ardinal vein; rm, anastomotic vein ; (l.l', duct. of (juvia-r; hm, lmpatic veins; Ii,
c_z.r.r, anterior c-ardinal vein; rm, anastomotic vein ; (l.l', duct. of (juvia-r; hm, lmpatic veins; Ii, outline oI.']i\'e1'; 1.11:9, left vitelline vein; p.rt.:', posterior ca1'tlina.l win; r. 121', right vitelline VI-in; s.i..a_-, suhintr-stinal win. Portions of the venous trunks which disappear during,‘ ontogeny are shown by dotted 0llhlllll'h' ; the outline of the liver is shown in IS by an into-rrnptetl line.
outline oI.']i\'e1'; 1.11:9, left vitelline vein; p.rt.:', posterior ca1'tlina.l win; r. 121', right vitelline VI-in;
s.i..a_-, suhintr-stinal win. Portions of the venous trunks which disappear during,‘ ontogeny are shown
by dotted 0llhlllll'h' ; the outline of the liver is shown in IS by an into-rrnptetl line.


This drains into a pair of lateral vitelline veins which unite in front
This drains into a pair of lateral vitelline veins which unite in front to form the heart. Postcriorly the subintestinal vein bifurcates to pass on each side of the cloaca and then joins again to form the post-anal. subintestinal vein. In its double cloacal portion, and also in front of this, wide communications pass between the subintestinal vein and the posterior cardinals. The ultimate fate of the subintestinal vein differs in its pre-cloacal and post-cloaéal portions. The former loses its identity in that it becomes entirely resolved into, portions of the vitelline network. The post-cloaeal portion becomes converted into the caudal vein in the normal fashion as already described for Lepid0s'i'r(m. It has already been mentioned that wide communications were established between the paired cloacal portion of the subintestinal vein and the posterior cardinals. With the breaking up of the pre-cloacal part of the vein the main VI VENOUS SYSTEM 417
to form the heart. Postcriorly the subintestinal vein bifurcates to
pass on each side of the cloaca and then joins again to form the
post-anal. subintestinal vein. In its double cloacal portion, and also
in front of this, wide communications pass between the subintestinal
vein and the posterior cardinals. The ultimate fate of the subintestinal vein differs in its pre-cloacal and post-cloaéal portions.
The former loses its identity in that it becomes entirely resolved
into, portions of the vitelline network. The post-cloaeal portion
becomes converted into the caudal vein in the normal fashion as
already described for Lepid0s'i'r(m. It has already been mentioned
that wide communications were established between the paired
cloacal portion of the subintestinal vein and the posterior cardinals.
With the breaking up of the pre-cloacal part of the vein the main
VI VENOUS SYSTEM 417


blood-stream passes through these communications into the posterior
blood-stream passes through these communications into the posterior cardinals and the latter take on the appearance of a direct forward prolongation of the caudal vein.
cardinals and the latter take on the appearance of a direct forward
prolongation of the caudal vein.


Dorsally there develops on each side a cardinal trunk which
Dorsally there develops on each side a cardinal trunk which swells o11t into a great irregular sinus (gm) in the region of the pronephros. On its outer side branches pass from the pronephric sinus into the general vitelline network. In this network a specially wide channel develops, starting from the pronephric sinus and sWee.ping outwards over the yolk to join the lateral vitelline vei11 and so reach the heart. This channel, which becomes gradually more and more sharply defined, is the duct of Cuvier (Fig. 193, A, (1.0). The pronephrie sinus is continued backwards into the posterior cardinal vein. This is at first distinct from its fellow but at an early stage fuses with it to form a median inter-renal vein (Fig. 193, B, 7}/-)——the fusion being foreshadowed by the developme.nt of anastomotic eonnexions between the two veins while still separated from one another by a distinct space (Fig. 193, A, cm). Towards the eloaea the poste1'io1' cardinals taper off and are connected by irregular anastometic chan11els_ with the subintestinal vein, as already mentioned, and also with the dorsal aorta. Eventually, as -already indicated, the inter-renal vein and the caudal vein form a continuous vessel.
swells o11t into a great irregular sinus (gm) in the region of the
pronephros. On its outer side branches pass from the pronephric
sinus into the general vitelline network. In this network a specially
wide channel develops, starting from the pronephric sinus and
sWee.ping outwards over the yolk to join the lateral vitelline vei11
and so reach the heart. This channel, which becomes gradually
more and more sharply defined, is the duct of Cuvier (Fig. 193, A,
(1.0). The pronephrie sinus is continued backwards into the
posterior cardinal vein. This is at first distinct from its fellow but
at an early stage fuses with it to form a median inter-renal vein
(Fig. 193, B, 7}/-)——the fusion being foreshadowed by the developme.nt of anastomotic eonnexions between the two veins while still
separated from one another by a distinct space (Fig. 193, A, cm).
Towards the eloaea the poste1'io1' cardinals taper off and are connected by irregular anastometic chan11els_ with the subintestinal
vein, as already mentioned, and also with the dorsal aorta. Eventually, as -already indicated, the inter-renal vein and the caudal vein
form a continuous vessel.


During the later stages a striking asymmetry becomes apparent
During the later stages a striking asymmetry becomes apparent in the anterior, unfused, portions of the posterior cardinals——the left becoming‘ greatly reduced as compared with the right (Fig. 193, D). The main blood-stream thus passes forwards on the right side, and upon this side a special direct channel develops en the ventral side of the pronephres, through which the blood-stream is able to reach the duct of Uuvier without passing through the tangle of pronephric tubules. The asymmetry affects also the ducts of (}uvier—— showing itself first in that of the left side becoming relatively shorter than its fellow, which retains for a time its wide sweep over the surface of the yolk (Fig. 193, B and (J, d.(/'). Eventually it too becomes shortened and its calibre becomes considerably greater than that of the left side (Fig. 193, D).
in the anterior, unfused, portions of the posterior cardinals——the
left becoming‘ greatly reduced as compared with the right (Fig. 193,
D). The main blood-stream thus passes forwards on the right side,
and upon this side a special direct channel develops en the ventral
side of the pronephres, through which the blood-stream is able to
reach the duct of Uuvier without passing through the tangle of
pronephric tubules. The asymmetry affects also the ducts of (}uvier——
showing itself first in that of the left side becoming relatively
shorter than its fellow, which retains for a time its wide sweep over
the surface of the yolk (Fig. 193, B and (J, d.(/'). Eventually it too
becomes shortened and its calibre becomes considerably greater than
that of the left side (Fig. 193, D).


From the prenephric sinus a branch (lxz-) develops about stage
From the prenephric sinus a branch (lxz-) develops about stage 30 which passes dorsalwards and then backwards beneath the lateral line nerve——tl1e lateral cutaneous vein. This, a large vessel about stage 33, becomes reduced to an insignificant vestige later on.
30 which passes dorsalwards and then backwards beneath the lateral
line nerve——tl1e lateral cutaneous vein. This, a large vessel about
stage 33, becomes reduced to an insignificant vestige later on.


The anterior zardinal vein runs along the side of the head region,
The anterior zardinal vein runs along the side of the head region, passing through the angle on the ventromesial side of the otocyst, between the latter and the brai11-wall. At its front end the vein dilates into a large sinus, which gives off irregular branches to the mesoderm of the head. At an early stage an anastomotic channel makes its appearance on the outer side of the otocyst continuous anteriorly and posteriorly with the anterior cardinal. When this channel has been established (Fig. 193, A, Le) the blood-stream from the head divides in front of the otocyst and passes backwards, part Fm. 193.——Devc1opmeut of dorsal venous systeiii of 1"(')ly}Jte‘l"lt8_, as seen from the dorsal side.
passing through the angle on the ventromesial side of the otocyst,
between the latter and the brai11-wall. At its front end the vein
dilates into a large sinus, which gives off irregular branches to the
mesoderm of the head. At an early stage an anastomotic channel
makes its appearance on the outer side of the otocyst continuous
anteriorly and posteriorly with the anterior cardinal. When this
channel has been established (Fig. 193, A, Le) the blood-stream from
the head divides in front of the otocyst and passes backwards, part
Fm. 193.——Devc1opmeut of dorsal venous systeiii of 1"(')ly}Jte‘l"lt8_, as seen from
the dorsal side.


Stages 27-29 (A); 31 (B): 33 (C); 30 mm. larm (D and E). a.c.w, anterior cardinal vein; an, aliastomotic vein; (1.! ‘, duct of Cuvier; hm, hepatic vein; h.('p.*v.('), pmzteriol‘ vena cavn; i.j, inferior jugular ;
Stages 27-29 (A); 31 (B): 33 (C); 30 mm. larm (D and E). a.c.w, anterior cardinal vein; an, aliastomotic vein; (1.! ‘, duct of Cuvier; hm, hepatic vein; h.('p.*v.('), pmzteriol‘ vena cavn; i.j, inferior jugular ; 1'7‘, inter-renal vein; l.c, lateral coplialic; I.«v,1ato,ru1 cutaneous; 31, pulmonary vein; p.c.v, posterior cardinal; pn, pronepin-ic sinus; s, .~:ubc1m'ian Vein ; ’l'h, thyro d.
1'7‘, inter-renal vein; l.c, lateral coplialic; I.«v,1ato,ru1 cutaneous; 31, pulmonary vein; p.c.v, posterior
cardinal; pn, pronepin-ic sinus; s, .~:ubc1m'ian Vein ; ’l'h, thyro d.


418
418 CH. v1 VEIN S OF POLYPTERUS 419
CH. v1 VEIN S OF POLYPTERUS 419


on its outer and part on its inner side. Eventually the inner
on its outer and part on its inner side. Eventually the inner channel becomes constricted across and finally completely severed at its hinder end so that the whole blood-stream passes back by what was the outer channel. The inner channel persists as a small vein which opens at its front end into the definitive anterior cardinal. We see then that here, as in the Lung-fish or the Elasmobranch, the “ anterior cardinal” vein of later stages has intercalated in its length a segment of lateral cephalic vein.
channel becomes constricted across and finally completely severed at
its hinder end so that the whole blood-stream passes back by what
was the outer channel. The inner channel persists as a small vein
which opens at its front end into the definitive anterior cardinal.
We see then that here, as in the Lung-fish or the Elasmobranch, the
“ anterior cardinal” vein of later stages has intercalated in its length
a segment of lateral cephalic vein.


Au inferior jugular vein on each side ('23./') drains the. blood from
Au inferior jugular vein on each side ('23./') drains the. blood from the ventral side of the head into the. duct of (juvier, and development goes on these become asymmetrical, the left becoming greatly reduced while the right forms a large vessel, trifid at its front end where it receives the blood from the thyroid (Fig. 193, D, T/1,).
the ventral side of the head into the. duct of (juvier, and development goes on these become asymmetrical, the left becoming greatly
reduced while the right forms a large vessel, trifid at its front end
where it receives the blood from the thyroid (Fig. 193, D, T/1,).


'J‘he liver rudiment, at first a portion of the general yolk-mass, is
'J‘he liver rudiment, at first a portion of the general yolk-mass, is at this stage supplied with blood by the portion of the general vitelline network which extends over it. The. portal vein develops simply as an enlarged channel of the network on the left side of the hepatic rudiment. There is no information as to whether this is really the persisting left lateral vitelline vein as we might expect: nor is it known whether the hepatic vein is derived from the prehepatic portion of this same vein.
at this stage supplied with blood by the portion of the general
vitelline network which extends over it. The. portal vein develops
simply as an enlarged channel of the network on the left side of the
hepatic rudiment. There is no information as to whether this is
really the persisting left lateral vitelline vein as we might expect:
nor is it known whether the hepatic vein is derived from the prehepatic portion of this same vein.


An important feature is that there becomes established an
An important feature is that there becomes established an anastomosis between the, blood-vessels of the liver at the hinder end of that organ and the inter-renal vein, so that a portion of the interrenal blood - stream becomes short - circuited direct to the heart through the hepatic vein, which in correlation with this forms a wide channel throughout the length of the liver (Fig. 193, E, h.(p.'r.c)). This enlarge.d hepatic vein is of morphological importance as it is clearly the equivalent of a posterior (or ‘‘inferior’’) vena cava. In the. Crossopterygian this vessel takes a step in evolution beyond the condition in Lung-fishes, inasmuch as its posterior portion becomes denuded of liver substance, so that it runs for a considerable distance through the splanchnocoele as a naked vessel.
anastomosis between the, blood-vessels of the liver at the hinder end
of that organ and the inter-renal vein, so that a portion of the interrenal blood - stream becomes short - circuited direct to the heart
through the hepatic vein, which in correlation with this forms a wide
channel throughout the length of the liver (Fig. 193, E, h.(p.'r.c)).
This enlarge.d hepatic vein is of morphological importance as it is
clearly the equivalent of a posterior (or ‘‘inferior’’) vena cava. In
the. Crossopterygian this vessel takes a step in evolution beyond the
condition in Lung-fishes, inasmuch as its posterior portion becomes
denuded of liver substance, so that it runs for a considerable distance
through the splanchnocoele as a naked vessel.


Another important vein which makes its first appearance in the
Another important vein which makes its first appearance in the (lrossopterygian is the pulmonary vein. The hepatic vein, which towards its headward end lies on the dorsal side of the liver, comes into close contact with the pharyngeal floor in the region of the glottis, and venous spaces developing in the mesoderm sheath of the pharynx come to open into it. These are apparently the forerunners of the pulmonary vein. In the 30-min. larva, as in the adult, there is a main pulmonary vein which still opens into the hepatic vein on its dorsal side (Fig. 193, D, 1)). In addition to this main pulmonary vein, formed by tl1e. fusion of two branches coming from the ventral side of the two lungs, there is a small accessory vein coming from the dorsal side of the root of each lung and from the adjoining parts of the pharyngeal wall. These also open into the hepatic vein just in front, and on each side, of the opening of the main vein.
(lrossopterygian is the pulmonary vein. The hepatic vein, which
towards its headward end lies on the dorsal side of the liver, comes
into close contact with the pharyngeal floor in the region of the
glottis, and venous spaces developing in the mesoderm sheath of the
pharynx come to open into it. These are apparently the forerunners
of the pulmonary vein. In the 30-min. larva, as in the adult, there
is a main pulmonary vein which still opens into the hepatic vein on
its dorsal side (Fig. 193, D, 1)). In addition to this main pulmonary
vein, formed by tl1e. fusion of two branches coming from the ventral
side of the two lungs, there is a small accessory vein coming from
the dorsal side of the root of each lung and from the adjoining parts
of the pharyngeal wall. These also open into the hepatic vein just
in front, and on each side, of the opening of the main vein.


TEl.EOS'1‘El.——A1I10ngSt the Teleostean fishes We find the same
TEl.EOS'1‘El.——A1I10ngSt the Teleostean fishes We find the same 4'20 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
4'20 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


venous trunks laid down as in the Lung-fish or Elasmobranch.
venous trunks laid down as in the Lung-fish or Elasmobranch. There is within the group considerable variability but the variations are as a rule derivable from a primitive type like that of Lepidosiren. Thus in Salmo the subintestinal vein bifurcates in front into the two paired vitelline veins while in numerous other Teleosts (Esom, Bclone, S3/ngnathas, Iflppocampas, Gobius) it passes forwards into a median unpaired vitelline vein. Each of these conditions is obviously derivable from that illustrated by Jjepidosiren, by the disappearance, on the one hand, of the median, and, on the other, of the paired vitelline veins.
There is within the group considerable variability but the variations
are as a rule derivable from a primitive type like that of Lepidosiren.
Thus in Salmo the subintestinal vein bifurcates in front into the
two paired vitelline veins while in numerous other Teleosts (Esom,
Bclone, S3/ngnathas, Iflppocampas, Gobius) it passes forwards into
a median unpaired vitelline vein. Each of these conditions is
obviously derivable from that illustrated by Jjepidosiren, by the
disappearance, on the one hand, of the median, and, on the other, of
the paired vitelline veins.


AMPnmIA.—-In S'a.l(mtu.n¢l7'a, (Uhoronshitzky, 1900) two lateral
AMPnmIA.—-In S'a.l(mtu.n¢l7'a, (Uhoronshitzky, 1900) two lateral vitelline veins are described, the right comparatively small in size. Behind the liver rudiment they lie close together near the midventral line and passing forwards they diverge, passing one on each side of the liver rudiment to unite in front of it and form the hind end of the heart. The two veins undergo fusion behind the liver to form the subintestinal vein and in front of the point of fusion the right vein disappears so that, as in the Lung-fish, all the blood passes to the heart round the left side of the liver. The mesenteric vein develops as a branch of the right vitelline vein close to its front end and after the disappearance of the greater part of the right vitelline vein the mesenteric is seen replacing it as the right limb of a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of veins which embraces the «liver rudiment from in front. The portion of the vitelline veins in front of the mesenteric breaks up into the hepatic network. The vitelline vein shrinks to an inconspicuous vestige while the mesenteric becomes relatively large and forms the hepatic portal of the adult.
vitelline veins are described, the right comparatively small in size.
Behind the liver rudiment they lie close together near the midventral line and passing forwards they diverge, passing one on each
side of the liver rudiment to unite in front of it and form the hind
end of the heart. The two veins undergo fusion behind the liver to
form the subintestinal vein and in front of the point of fusion the
right vein disappears so that, as in the Lung-fish, all the blood
passes to the heart round the left side of the liver. The mesenteric
vein develops as a branch of the right vitelline vein close to its front
end and after the disappearance of the greater part of the right
vitelline vein the mesenteric is seen replacing it as the right limb of
a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of veins which embraces the «liver
rudiment from in front. The portion of the vitelline veins in front
of the mesenteric breaks up into the hepatic network. The vitelline
vein shrinks to an inconspicuous vestige while the mesenteric
becomes relatively large and forms the hepatic portal of the adult.


The posterior cardinal veins (Hochstetter, 1888) run alongside
The posterior cardinal veins (Hochstetter, 1888) run alongside the archinephric ducts, which they more or less surround, to the region of the pronephros where each dilates to form a large pronephric sinus. I11 the opisthonephric region the vein forms two main channels an inner and an outer (Fig. 194, B, op), the former eventually undergoing fusion with its fellow to form an inter-renal vein which becomes later the renal portion of the posterior vena cava. The outer channel, as in the Lung-fish, becomes continuous with the caudal vein to form the renal portal, while at the front end of the opisthonephros it loses its connexion with the part of the vein lying farther forwards. A venous connexion is established between the front end of the inter-renal vein and the tip of the liver, and the channel which so arises, commencing behind in the inter—renal vein, traversing the substance of the liver and ending in the hepatic vein, forms the posterior vena cava (Fig. 194, 0, 10.0.0). In later stages the liver tissue disappears over the greater part of the posterior vena cava so that it passes naked through the splanchnocoele.
the archinephric ducts, which they more or less surround, to the
region of the pronephros where each dilates to form a large
pronephric sinus. I11 the opisthonephric region the vein forms two
main channels an inner and an outer (Fig. 194, B, op), the former
eventually undergoing fusion with its fellow to form an inter-renal
vein which becomes later the renal portion of the posterior vena
cava. The outer channel, as in the Lung-fish, becomes continuous
with the caudal vein to form the renal portal, while at the front end
of the opisthonephros it loses its connexion with the part of the vein
lying farther forwards. A venous connexion is established between
the front end of the inter-renal vein and the tip of the liver, and the
channel which so arises, commencing behind in the inter—renal vein,
traversing the substance of the liver and ending in the hepatic vein,
forms the posterior vena cava (Fig. 194, 0, 10.0.0). In later stages
the liver tissue disappears over the greater part of the posterior
vena cava so that it passes naked through the splanchnocoele.


The anterior cardinal vein with its intercalated section of lateral
The anterior cardinal vein with its intercalated section of lateral cephalic persists as the internal jugular vein of the adult. The Duct of (juvier also persists in the adult and is now termed the
cephalic persists as the internal jugular vein of the adult. The
Duct of (juvier also persists in the adult and is now termed the


anterior vena. cava.
anterior vena. cava. VI VENOUS SYSTEM 421
VI VENOUS SYSTEM 421


The anterior abdominal vein arises as a pair of small veins in
The anterior abdominal vein arises as a pair of small veins in the ventral body-wall. These unite in front in the region of the liver and open into the left duct of Cuvier according to Hochstetter. Later the two veins fuse into a single unpaired vessel except at their hinder ends where they become connected with the renal portal vein on each side. Anteriorly the opening into the duct of Cuvier becomes replaced by an opening into the hepatic portal vein.
the ventral body-wall. These unite in front in the region of the
liver and open into the left duct of Cuvier according to Hochstetter.
Later the two veins fuse into a single unpaired vessel except at
their hinder ends where they become connected with the renal portal
vein on each side. Anteriorly the opening into the duct of Cuvier
becomes replaced by an opening into the hepatic portal vein.


d.C.
d.C. Jill. act». /2 a. pn. si 11.. par op ’ (‘U A B C 0
Jill.
act».
/2 a.
pn.
si 11..
par
op ’
(‘U
A B C 0


Flu. 19-1.—~Development of main venous trunks in Salanuuzdra according to
Flu. 19-1.—~Development of main venous trunks in Salanuuzdra according to Hoclistctter (1888).
Hoclistctter (1888).


u.r.u, anterior ('.'1r(linal vein; c.v, vandal win ; ¢I.(', duct of Cuvwr; hm, hepatic \cm ; op, opisthonephros; p.r‘.v, p0St~l‘I‘l()l cardinal vein; p.'v.c, posterior wna vava; pn, prenephric sinus; r.;p, renal
u.r.u, anterior ('.'1r(linal vein; c.v, vandal win ; ¢I.(', duct of Cuvwr; hm, hepatic \cm ; op, opisthonephros; p.r‘.v, p0St~l‘I‘l()l cardinal vein; p.'v.c, posterior wna vava; pn, prenephric sinus; r.;p, renal portal; s, subclavian ; s.’i.I', subinte-stmal wm ; 3.1‘, sinus venosus.
portal; s, subclavian ; s.’i.I', subinte-stmal wm ; 3.1‘, sinus venosus.


SAUROPSIDA.—-—Here we find the same main venous trunks as in
SAUROPSIDA.—-—Here we find the same main venous trunks as in the lower groups and, in correlation with the large quantity of yolk, the ventral or vitelline system of veins develops preccciously as compared with the dorsal or cardinal system. .
the lower groups and, in correlation with the large quantity of yolk,
the ventral or vitelline system of veins develops preccciously as
compared with the dorsal or cardinal system. .


Lacerta, which has been investigated in detail by Hochstetter
Lacerta, which has been investigated in detail by Hochstetter (1892), may be taken as an example of the Reptiles. The first veins to make their appearance are the lateral vitelline veins which pass forwards on the dorsal side of the yolk-sac, converging in front to form 422 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
(1892), may be taken as an example of the Reptiles. The first veins
to make their appearance are the lateral vitelline veins which pass
forwards on the dorsal side of the yolk-sac, converging in front to form
422 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


the hind end of the heart. The two vitelline veins become connected
the hind end of the heart. The two vitelline veins become connected by a transverse anastoniosis dorsal to the gut and just behind the dorsal pancreatic rudiment (Fig. 195, B). The parts of the veins in front of this anastornosis break up into a network in the substance of the li.ver, and the two networks become continuous with one another (Fig. 195, C). The two vitelline veins now form another anastomosis
by a transverse anastoniosis dorsal to the gut and just behind the
dorsal pancreatic rudiment (Fig. 195, B). The parts of the veins in
front of this anastornosis break up into a network in the substance of
the li.ver, and the two networks become continuous with one another
(Fig. 195, C). The two vitelline veins now form another anastomosis


Fm. 195.—-Diagrams to illustrate the development of the. ventral part of the venous
Fm. 195.—-Diagrams to illustrate the development of the. ventral part of the venous system in Lacertu u._(/zll-is as seen from the ventral side. (After Iiochstetter, 1892.)
system in Lacertu u._(/zll-is as seen from the ventral side. (After Iiochstetter, 1892.)


ab, abdominal vein; «LC, duct or (fuvler; :1.-v, ductus venosus; ant, alimentary canal: 1.0.11, left
ab, abdominal vein; «LC, duct or (fuvler; :1.-v, ductus venosus; ant, alimentary canal: 1.0.11, left all:1.lll}(')l('. win; If, liver; 1.1.‘.-v, left vitelline vein; 7;, portal vein; 1». l‘.(.', posterior vona, cm-a; mull, right alluntoic vein ; -r.'v.-r, right vitelline vein.
all:1.lll}(')l('. win; If, liver; 1.1.‘.-v, left vitelline vein; 7;, portal vein; 1». l‘.(.', posterior vona, cm-a; mull, right
alluntoic vein ; -r.'v.-r, right vitelline vein.


with one another farther back and ventral to the alimentary canal
with one another farther back and ventral to the alimentary canal (Fig. 195, C). The right vitelline vein becomes reduced and finally obliterated in the region in front of this ventral anastomosis so that the whole blood-stream passes forwards to the level of the dorsal anastomosis by the persistent left Vein (Fig. 195, D, l.v.v). In the region anterior to the dorsal anastomosis the left vein now diminishes in size and finally disappears, first in the region behind the hepatic VI VEIN S OF LACERTA 423
(Fig. 195, C). The right vitelline vein becomes reduced and finally
obliterated in the region in front of this ventral anastomosis so that
the whole blood-stream passes forwards to the level of the dorsal
anastomosis by the persistent left Vein (Fig. 195, D, l.v.v). In the
region anterior to the dorsal anastomosis the left vein now diminishes
in size and finally disappears, first in the region behind the hepatic
VI VEIN S OF LACERTA 423


network (Fig. 195, D) and then in the region in front of the network
network (Fig. 195, D) and then in the region in front of the network (Fig. 195, E). Results of these changes are (1) that the hepatic network receives its blood supply by a single afferent vessel——the hepatic portal vein—-which curves round the gut and is derived in great part from the left vitelline vein——and (2) that its blood drains away to the heart by a single efferent vessel~—the hepatic vein——derived from the front end of the original right vitelline vein.
(Fig. 195, E). Results of these changes are (1) that the hepatic
network receives its blood supply by a single afferent vessel——the
hepatic portal vein—-which curves round the gut and is derived in
great part from the left vitelline vein——and (2) that its blood drains
away to the heart by a single efferent vessel~—the hepatic vein——derived from the front end of the original right vitelline vein.


At a comparatively early stage in development a direct channel
At a comparatively early stage in development a direct channel becomes established, by the widening out of the venous spaces along the middle of the hepatic network, so that a considerable proportion of the blood is able to pass forwards from the portal vein through the liver without actually traversing the network itself. This cha.nnel——the ductus venosus (Fig. 195, G, 11.1)) persists till nearly the period of hatching but then becomes obliterated so that all the portal blood has to traverse the hepatic network.
becomes established, by the widening out of the venous spaces along
the middle of the hepatic network, so that a considerable proportion
of the blood is able to pass forwards from the portal vein through
the liver without actually traversing the network itself. This
cha.nnel——the ductus venosus (Fig. 195, G, 11.1)) persists till nearly
the period of hatching but then becomes obliterated so that all the
portal blood has to traverse the hepatic network.


The posterior vena cava makes its appearance as a gradually
The posterior vena cava makes its appearance as a gradually widening channel through the hepatic network towards its right side (Fig. 195, D, E, [).'I7.6). This portion of the liver becomes prolonged backwards as a slender lobe ensheathing a prolongation of the blood channel mentioned. This prolongation fuses at its tip with the tip of the right opisthonephros, continuity becomes established between the venous spaces of the two organs and finally, as in the Amphibian, the liver tissue disappears ove.r a large stretch of the slender lobe already mentioned so that the vena cava is now for a considerable length free from either liver or kidney.
widening channel through the hepatic network towards its right side
(Fig. 195, D, E, [).'I7.6). This portion of the liver becomes prolonged
backwards as a slender lobe ensheathing a prolongation of the blood
channel mentioned. This prolongation fuses at its tip with the tip
of the right opisthonephros, continuity becomes established between
the venous spaces of the two organs and finally, as in the Amphibian,
the liver tissue disappears ove.r a large stretch of the slender lobe
already mentioned so that the vena cava is now for a considerable
length free from either liver or kidney.


At an early stage a branch of the vitellinc vein develops close to
At an early stage a branch of the vitellinc vein develops close to its front end. This is the allantoic or umbilical vein (Fig. 195, roll and loll). These veins soon become asymmetrical, the left for a time being smaller than the right (Fig. 195, I), E). A little later however the left vein establishes a connexion with the hepatic network (Fig. 195, F); the portion of the vein posterior to this connexion becomes much widened, and the blood-stream from it courses by an enlarged direct channel of the network into the posterior vena cava (Fig. 195, F, G). The blood-stream being diverted through this channel, the portion of the left allantoic vein in front of it shrinks in size and disappears, as does the Whole of the right allantoic vein (Fig. 195, F, G). The result is that there persists a single (left) allantoic vein which drains the blood from the allantois into the posterior vena cava near its front end. The allantoic vein increases in size with the allantois but becomes obliterated at the time of hatching when the allantois is cast off. The mesenteric vein develops as a branch of the portal vein (left vitelline vein) a short distance behind its entry into the liver: it increases in size as the vitellinc diminishes with the consumption of the yolk and eventually it alone persists as the peripheral portion of the definitive portal vein of the adult.
its front end. This is the allantoic or umbilical vein (Fig. 195,
roll and loll). These veins soon become asymmetrical, the left
for a time being smaller than the right (Fig. 195, I), E). A little
later however the left vein establishes a connexion with the hepatic
network (Fig. 195, F); the portion of the vein posterior to this
connexion becomes much widened, and the blood-stream from it
courses by an enlarged direct channel of the network into the
posterior vena cava (Fig. 195, F, G). The blood-stream being diverted
through this channel, the portion of the left allantoic vein in front
of it shrinks in size and disappears, as does the Whole of the right
allantoic vein (Fig. 195, F, G). The result is that there persists a
single (left) allantoic vein which drains the blood from the allantois
into the posterior vena cava near its front end. The allantoic vein
increases in size with the allantois but becomes obliterated at the
time of hatching when the allantois is cast off. The mesenteric vein
develops as a branch of the portal vein (left vitelline vein) a short
distance behind its entry into the liver: it increases in size as the
vitellinc diminishes with the consumption of the yolk and eventually it alone persists as the peripheral portion of the definitive portal
vein of the adult.


The subintestinal vein is apparently present only in its post-anal
The subintestinal vein is apparently present only in its post-anal portion which persists as the caudal vein of the adult. In front 424 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
portion which persists as the caudal vein of the adult. In front
424 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


of the anus, where the ventral wall of the primitive alimentary
of the anus, where the ventral wall of the primitive alimentary canal has become intensely modified in connexion with the storage of yolk, the subintestinal vein has disappeared from the course of development.
canal has become intensely modified in connexion with the storage
of yolk, the subintestinal vein has disappeared from the course of
development.


As regards the dorsal venous system (Fig. 196), the two posterior
As regards the dorsal venous system (Fig. 196), the two posterior cardinal veins converge posteriorly and become continuous with the caudal vein. The portions in the region of the opisthonephros become resolved into their external and internal components connected by numerous sinus~like spaces and channels amongst the kidney tubules (Fig. 196, A). With the development of a capillary network
cardinal veins converge posteriorly and become continuous with the
caudal vein. The portions in the region of the opisthonephros
become resolved into their external and internal components connected
by numerous sinus~like spaces and channels amongst the kidney
tubules (Fig. 196, A). With the development of a capillary network


A B C
A B C


as  
as


C“-"
C“-"


Flo. 196.——Diagr:un illustrating the development of the dorsal venous system in l.m.-arm
Flo. 196.——Diagr:un illustrating the development of the dorsal venous system in l.m.-arm according to Hochstetter, as seen from the ventral side.
according to Hochstetter, as seen from the ventral side.


a..c.'v, anterior cardinal vein ; «-, (-.:audnl vein; d.(J, duct of Cuvier (-—-ant. vena cava); ii, iliac vein ;
a..c.'v, anterior cardinal vein ; «-, (-.:audnl vein; d.(J, duct of Cuvier (-—-ant. vena cava); ii, iliac vein ; 1r.c.v, posterior cardinal vein; 7-:.zr.r.', posterior vena cava; .-, subclavian vein.
1r.c.v, posterior cardinal vein; 7-:.zr.r.', posterior vena cava; .-, subclavian vein.


in the substance of the opisthonephros the larger blood spaces
in the substance of the opisthonephros the larger blood spaces become divided into an afferent set connected with the external component and an efferent set connected with the internal one. The external channel remains continuous with the caudal vein and forms the renal portal vein. The two internal components fuse together in their anterior portion (Fig. 196, B) and become continuous with the intrahepatic portion of the vena cava. Posteriorly they remain separate and lose their continuity with the caudal vein (Fig. 196, B, C). The blood from the kidneys being now able to pass to the heart by the direct route through the posterior vena cava, the portions of posterior cardinal lying in front of the kidneys are no longer required and soon disappear (Fig. 196, C). VI VEN OUS SYSTEM 425
become divided into an afferent set connected with the external component and an efferent set connected with the internal one. The
external channel remains continuous with the caudal vein and forms
the renal portal vein. The two internal components fuse together
in their anterior portion (Fig. 196, B) and become continuous with
the intrahepatic portion of the vena cava. Posteriorly they remain
separate and lose their continuity with the caudal vein (Fig. 196, B, C).
The blood from the kidneys being now able to pass to the heart by
the direct route through the posterior vena cava, the portions of
posterior cardinal lying in front of the kidneys are no longer required
and soon disappear (Fig. 196, C).
VI VEN OUS SYSTEM 425


In the head region the anterior cardinal becomes in great part
In the head region the anterior cardinal becomes in great part replaced by a lateral cephalic vein in a manner similar to that already described for Lc_p'id0.s"i7'07t.
replaced by a lateral cephalic vein in a manner similar to that
already described for Lc_p'id0.s"i7'07t.


B1nDs.——In Birds the development of the venous system pursues,
B1nDs.——In Birds the development of the venous system pursues, as we should expect, a similar course to that already described for Reptiles. Amongst the differences in detail the most striking is that the two vitelline veins become completely fused into a single vessel, the ductus venosus, through the hepatic region, before there are any signs of a hepatic network. This may be regarded as a backward extension of the fusion of the two vitelline veins which gives rise to the heart. The ductus venosus secondarily becomes surrounded by tile. liver rudiment and a network of channels spreads out from it in the liver substance. The allantoic veins behave as in Lmrerta except that a small vestige of the left is said to persist throughout life.
as we should expect, a similar course to that already described for
Reptiles. Amongst the differences in detail the most striking is
that the two vitelline veins become completely fused into a single
vessel, the ductus venosus, through the hepatic region, before there
are any signs of a hepatic network. This may be regarded as a
backward extension of the fusion of the two vitelline veins which
gives rise to the heart. The ductus venosus secondarily becomes
surrounded by tile. liver rudiment and a network of channels spreads
out from it in the liver substance. The allantoic veins behave as
in Lmrerta except that a small vestige of the left is said to persist
throughout life.


The reduction of the tail region in modern birds has brought
The reduction of the tail region in modern birds has brought with it a modification of the caudal vein which is here paired, taking the form of a simple backward prolongation of the posterior cardinal. The main channel of the posterior cardinal runs along the outer edge of the opisthoneppros but later on a slender channel appears along its inner edge—that on the right side being continuous with the posterior vena cava of which it forms simply a backward prolongation. The two inner channels undergo fusion so that the blood from the kidneys can drain away entirely into the posterior vena cava and this is followed as in other cases by the atrophy of the. portion of posterior cardinal lying in front of the opisthonephros. This atrophy extends as far forwards as the subclavian vein which in the Fowl opens into the posterior cardinal vein some distance from its front end. The portion of posterior cardinal lying in front of this point is consequently saved from disappearance and persists as a portion of the definitive subclavian vein of the adult. It will be. understood that the blood of the outer channel of the posterior cardinal, which reaches it from the caudal vein, from the posterior limb, and from the body-wall, passes entirely through the_ opisthonephric network towards the posterior vena cava, in other words that there is at this time a typical renal portal system.
with it a modification of the caudal vein which is here paired, taking
the form of a simple backward prolongation of the posterior cardinal.
The main channel of the posterior cardinal runs along the outer
edge of the opisthoneppros but later on a slender channel appears along
its inner edge—that on the right side being continuous with the
posterior vena cava of which it forms simply a backward prolongation. The two inner channels undergo fusion so that the blood
from the kidneys can drain away entirely into the posterior vena
cava and this is followed as in other cases by the atrophy of the.
portion of posterior cardinal lying in front of the opisthonephros.
This atrophy extends as far forwards as the subclavian vein which
in the Fowl opens into the posterior cardinal vein some distance
from its front end. The portion of posterior cardinal lying in front
of this point is consequently saved from disappearance and persists
as a portion of the definitive subclavian vein of the adult. It will be.
understood that the blood of the outer channel of the posterior
cardinal, which reaches it from the caudal vein, from the posterior
limb, and from the body-wall, passes entirely through the_ opisthonephric network towards the posterior vena cava, in other words that
there is at this time a typical renal portal system.


As the metanephros develops, its tubules are also mixed up with
As the metanephros develops, its tubules are also mixed up with the sinuses connecting external and internal channels of the posterior cardinals, so that it too has for a time a functional renal portal system. Later on however one of the channels through the metanephros becomes enlarged and the blood-stream passes directly through it to the posterior vcna cava without traversing the meshes of the network. A true renal portal system then no longer exists and the reason for its disappearance is no doubt to be found in the fact that the vascular network of the kidney has become connected with the arterial system. Obviously this will give a much more efficient circulation than the original one, owing to the. higher blood pressure in the dorsal aorta and renal arteries than in the renal portal veins which have the systemic network of capillaries interposed between them and the heart. Further the quality of the blood supplied in this way to the kidney is better——being arterial instead of venous—-and for both these reasons we can readily understand the tendency in the more highly developed vertebrates for the renal portal system to disappear.
the sinuses connecting external and internal channels of the posterior
cardinals, so that it too has for a time a functional renal portal system.
Later on however one of the channels through the metanephros
becomes enlarged and the blood-stream passes directly through it to
the posterior vcna cava without traversing the meshes of the network.
A true renal portal system then no longer exists and the reason for
its disappearance is no doubt to be found in the fact that the vascular
network of the kidney has become connected with the arterial system.
Obviously this will give a much more efficient circulation than the
original one, owing to the. higher blood pressure in the dorsal aorta
and renal arteries than in the renal portal veins which have the
426 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.


systemic network of capillaries interposed between them and the
It has already been remarked that the posterior cardinals do not pass back into an unpaired caudal vein as in the Lizard. A vestige however of the unpaired condition may perhaps be recognized in the development of an anastomosis between the two vessels just behind the metanephros. From the transverse bridge so formed a connexion (coccygeo-mesenteric vein) is established with the portal vein in the mesentery.
heart. Further the quality of the blood supplied in this way to the
kidney is better——being arterial instead of venous—-and for both these
reasons we can readily understand the tendency in the more highly
developed vertebrates for the renal portal system to disappear.


It has already been remarked that the posterior cardinals do not
The anterior cardinal vein together with an intercalated portion of lateral cephalic persists as the jugular vein of the adult bird.
pass back into an unpaired caudal vein as in the Lizard. A vestige
however of the unpaired condition may perhaps be recognized in the
development of an anastomosis between the two vessels just behind
the metanephros. From the transverse bridge so formed a connexion
(coccygeo-mesenteric vein) is established with the portal vein in the
mesentery.


The anterior cardinal vein together with an intercalated portion
The posterior cardinal vein undergoes in the Bird a curious change of position in relation to the root of the iliac artery which it crosses behind the mesoncphros. At first it lies on the ventral side of this artery: then it develops an accessory channel round the dorsal side of the vessel and finally the whole blood-stream passes by this dorsal channel while the ventral one disappears. This affords a good example of the way in which a vein may in the course of evolu tion pass an apparent barrier formed by an artery, nerve or other organ.
of lateral cephalic persists as the jugular vein of the adult bird.


The posterior cardinal vein undergoes in the Bird a curious
INTER-SEGMENTAL VE1Ns
change of position in relation to the root of the iliac artery which it
crosses behind the mesoncphros. At first it lies on the ventral side
of this artery: then it develops an accessory channel round the
dorsal side of the vessel and finally the whole blood-stream passes by
this dorsal channel while the ventral one disappears. This affords a


,good example of the way in which a vein may in the course of evolu
In the body wall there develops a series of veins corresponding with tl1c interscgmental arteries and opening into the cardinal veins.
tion pass an apparent barrier formed by an artery, nerve or other
organ.


INTER-SEGMENTAL VE1Ns.-—-In the body wall there develops a
VEINS OF LIMBS
series of veins corresponding with tl1c interscgmental arteries and
opening into the cardinal veins.


VEINS OF LIMBS.—The vascular network of the limb-bud drains
The vascular network of the limb-bud drains into the posterior cardinal vein. In the Bird (Evans, 1909) the, drainage during its earliest stages is into the allantoic vein. Later numerous cl1an11els arise connecting the network with the posterior cardinal and presumably one or two of these become enlarged and persist as the definitive veins draining the hind limb.
into the posterior cardinal vein. In the Bird (Evans, 1909) the,
drainage during its earliest stages is into the allantoic vein. Later
numerous cl1an11els arise connecting the network with the posterior
cardinal and presumably one or two of these become enlarged and
persist as the definitive veins draining the hind limb.


LYMPHATIC SYsTEM.——The venous system has its obvious roots
LYMPHATIC SYsTEM
peripherally in the capillary network of blood-vessels, but it is also
provided with a much less conspicuous set of tributary channels
which constitute the lymphatic system. This extension of the
vascular system retains a lower grade of evolution than the remainder.
Its channels are less sharply defined, the lining endothelium over
most of its extent having a much feebler development of the backing
of connective tissue and muscle which forms the thick wall of the
vein or artery. In its peripheral portions the lymphatic spaces may
have remained practically in the primitive condition of intercellular
chinks of the mesenchyme, while in its central portions, as it
approaches the points at which it opens into the ordinary veins, its
walls may be Well developed and muscular. The lymphatic system
serves to drain oil’ the plasma which has oozed out from the capillary
blood-vessels and forms the internal medium bathing the surface
of the living cells of the body, and to return it to the blood-stream.
VI VASCULAR SYSTEM 427


The fluid is peopledfby amoeboid eorpuscles but is without the red
The venous system has its obvious roots peripherally in the capillary network of blood-vessels, but it is also provided with a much less conspicuous set of tributary channels which constitute the lymphatic system. This extension of the vascular system retains a lower grade of evolution than the remainder. Its channels are less sharply defined, the lining endothelium over most of its extent having a much feebler development of the backing of connective tissue and muscle which forms the thick wall of the vein or artery. In its peripheral portions the lymphatic spaces may have remained practically in the primitive condition of intercellular chinks of the mesenchyme, while in its central portions, as it approaches the points at which it opens into the ordinary veins, its walls may be Well developed and muscular. The lymphatic system serves to drain oil’ the plasma which has oozed out from the capillary blood-vessels and forms the internal medium bathing the surface of the living cells of the body, and to return it to the blood-stream.  
corpuscles which have no power to escape through the walls of the
blood-vessels.


Our present knowledge of the ontogeny of the lymphatic system
The fluid is peopledfby amoeboid eorpuscles but is without the red corpuscles which have no power to escape through the walls of the blood-vessels.
is in great part due to the labours of Huntington and McClure
whose papers should be consulted as regards details. It seems clear
that as a general rule lymphatic channels develop, later than the
blood - vessels, as intercellular chinks in the mesenchyme which
become continuous and form definite channels, the bounding cells
becoming converted into thin endothelium.


SPLEEN.-——'l‘he spleen arises in Lepidoszveot and 1’r0topte7'us (Bryce,
Our present knowledge of the ontogeny of the lymphatic system is in great part due to the labours of Huntington and McClure whose papers should be consulted as regards details. It seems clear that as a general rule lymphatic channels develop, later than the blood - vessels, as intercellular chinks in the mesenchyme which become continuous and form definite channels, the bounding cells becoming converted into thin endothelium.
1905 ; Purser, 1917), which may be taken as typical examples, in the
form of a condensation of the mesenchyme of the gut-wall. Blood
spaces soon make their appearance in the rudiment which later
becomes intercalated in the course of the main venous channel leading
from intestine to liver. Later on the main blood-stream passes to
the liver by a direct channel, the spleen now lying on a lateral loop :
later still the afferent part of this loop becomes replaced functionally
by a new arterial connexion.


The spleen rudiment frequently arises in close proximity to that of
==Spleen==
the pancreas and this has led to statements that the spleen is actually
derived from the pancreas but the probability seems to be that
such statements are based upon erroneous observation.


LITERATITRE
The spleen arises in Lepidoszveot and 1’r0topte7'us (Bryce, 1905 ; Purser, 1917), which may be taken as typical examples, in the form of a condensation of the mesenchyme of the gut-wall. Blood spaces soon make their appearance in the rudiment which later becomes intercalated in the course of the main venous channel leading from intestine to liver. Later on the main blood-stream passes to the liver by a direct channel, the spleen now lying on a lateral loop : later still the afferent part of this loop becomes replaced functionally by a new arterial connexion.
 
The spleen rudiment frequently arises in close proximity to that of the pancreas and this has led to statements that the spleen is actually derived from the pancreas but the probability seems to be that such statements are based upon erroneous observation.
 
==Literature==


Allis. Zool. Jahrb. (Anat.), xiv, 1900.
Allis. Zool. Jahrb. (Anat.), xiv, 1900.
Line 3,219: Line 947:


Rlickert. Hortwigs Hamlbuch dvr Entuicklungslohro, i, 1906.
Rlickert. Hortwigs Hamlbuch dvr Entuicklungslohro, i, 1906.
CHAPTER Vll
THE EXTERNAL FEATURES OF THE BODY
TIIE preceding chapters have dealt with the ontogenetic evolution
of the various organ systems of the vertebrate body. The present
chapter will sketch in outline the development of the external
characteristics in so far as these have not already been referred to.
(1) DEvEI.oPMEN'r or GENERAL FORM.——'l‘he groups of Ve1‘Lcl)1‘nt('s
in which the egg is typically holoblastic will be considered first.
CROSSO1”l‘EltY(:II.———Of the two surviving genera 1’olg/ptcrus alone
has been studied (Graham Kerr, 1907) and the main features in the
development of its body-form may be gathered from an inspection of
Fig. 197.
It will be seen that the head—end of the embryo is the first to
project freely above the general surface of the body (Fig. 197,
The tail projection soon however makes its appearance (Fig. 197, B)
and during subsequent stages grows much more actively in length,
the embryo soon assuming a somewhat tadpole-like shape, with a
laterally compressed hinder region a11d a rounded swollen anterior
region formed by the main part of the yolk-laden egg. Two organs,
the cement-organ (0.0) and the external gill (e.g), inake their appearance as slight bulgings of the surface at a very early stage. During
subsequent stages the binder, laterally compressed region grows
rapidly at the expense of the mass of yolk which becomes consequently reduced in volume and at the same time loses its spherical
shape s» that it projects less prominently. It will be noticed that
during the later stages the post-anal region grows particularly
actively, the anus thus coming to lie at a relatively greater and
greater distance from the hinder end of the body and giving rise to
a rapidly growing true “ tail” region. During the later stages (Fig.
197, D, E, F) the head undergoes much increase in length, its active
forward growth beginning about stage 31. The mouth is at first
widely gaping (Fig. 197, E) but by stage 34 the mouth-hinge becomes
functional and it can be closed. By stage 36 the anterior swelling
due to the yolk has practically disappeared.
ACTINOPTERYGII.—A1nongst the Actinopterygian fishes the
Ganoids which still retain the holoblastic segmentation show very
429
430 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
FIG. 197.-——St:1;.:o.s in the «IL-.vclop1'm-.nt of l‘u/_;_/I;/o:'ru.._<»'. (All except A :lft(.!l‘ drawings
by lillclgett.)
A, stage 12; B, 23; C, 27; D, 31; E, 33; I", 36; (I, 1:u'\':L 30 mm. in len;.;'t11. (I.,ill|1l. ; mu, cument
organ ; E, eye; ¢.-..g, external gill; op, ope:-culum; p.f, pectoral Iin ; y, yulk. (A-E x 11; F x 8.)
VII THE EXTERNAL FEATURES OF THE BODY 431
much the same arrangement in early stages as will be seen in the
Lung-fishes (l<i0'. 200, A), the dorsal part of the embryonic body being
curved round the periphery of the egg. As theembryo increases in
length the growth of the posterior end is specially active and the
general proportions become very much as in Polypterus. The somewhat tadpole-like appearance of the larva, caused by the persistent
spherical shape of the main mass of yolk, is again apparent-especially in Amie and Lepidosteus (Fig. 198, A). As in Poly/pterus
Fm. 12.18. —-Stamges in the development of 1.:-,u'¢1u.s-(ms.
(I, anus; I...-_, widely gaping buccal cavity : «nu, (-elln-11l‘nrg':1n ; .»,». npereulum; p.f, pectoral flu;
pl.f, pelvic lin.
the intestinal portion of the alimentary canal rudiment is relatively
slender in form, arising by a process of actual backgrowth of the
posterior trunk region rather than by gradual modelling of the yolk
as is the thick intestinal rudiment in the Lung-fish. Conspicuous
characteristics of the actinopterygian Ganoid larvae are the presence
of well—deve1oped cement-organs and the absence of external gills.
In the Teleostean fishes there has come about with the high
development of telnlecitliality a great reduction in the angular extent
of the e1nlu‘_yuni«-_. rudiment during its early stages. Consequently
there is very slight ventral curvature round the. yolk. In the
FIG. 199.-—-(U//IIIII!/'11/HIS nljlu/I'4'-II.s'.  ilftttl‘ Asshetmx.)
A, seventh day; 13, t;o':nt..h «lay ; (J, l‘uurt;ccnt,h «l:1_y ; I), ago unknown; E, I'o1'Ly-tlnirtl day.
432
CH. V11 THE EXTERNAL FEATURES OF THE BODY 433
Granoids Azrmlco and Lepidosteus the main mass of yolk retains its
form for a considerable period, causing a great bulging of the ventral
body-wall anteriorly. In the Teleost this is still further accentuated, the bulging forming the yolk-sac which remains prominent
even in larvae sufficiently developed to be able to swim actively.
An extreme case of the prominence of the yolk-sac is afforded by
G’;/mncrclz/us (Fig. 199) where it shows a peculiarly elongated form
for a certain period. Cement organs are as a rule absent in Teleostei :
so also are external gills though in rare cases the latter have physiological representatives in filamentous prolongations of the gill
lamellae (Fig. 199, B).
Great variety of form exists amongst the larvae of Teleostean
fishes, more especially amongst those of pelagic habit. Familiar
examples are seen in the pelagic larvae of the Eels—-much compressed from side to side, transparent and colour-less—even the blood
being free from liaemoglobin———and much greater in bulk than the
innnediately succeeding phase in the life-history. The larvae of the
Flat-fishes (Pleuronectidae—Flounder, l’laice, Sole, etc.) are again of
special interest owing to the extraordinary asymmetry which they
develop. They are at first quite symmetrical and in no way abnormal.
The larva swims at this time with its laterally compressed body
vertical after the manner of a Bream but later develops the habit
of swimming on its side. The side of the head-region which is below
now grows more actively than the other so that the head becomes
strongly asymmetrical and the eye. of the lower side becomes gradually transferred to the upper, the right and left eyes being now both
on the same side of the head. Correlated with this asymmetry in
form there comes about a corresponding asymmetry in colour, the
chromatophores being collected together on the upper side and
giving it its characteristic obliterative colouring, In some genera it
is the right side of the body which is above, in others the left——while
in a few species it appears to be indifferently the one or the other.
DIPNOI.—-—Both of the dipneumonic L11ng-fisheS——Lq)idos’i7°(m and
1)’I'0t0])t67"’lt8——-ll:tVB been investigated (Graham Kerr, 1900 and 1909;
Budgett, 1901). They closely resemble one another and Lepi«lo.yia~en
Will be chosen here for description (Fig. 200).
During the early stages of the modelling of the embryonic body
(Fig. 200, A) the latter is curved round the egg, occupying about
290° in angular extent. The head-region becomes demarcated as a
slight, somewhat lance-shaped protuberance above the general surface
of the egg due to the neural rudiment. The branchial region becomes
marked at an early stage by a slight elevation of the surface which
soon becomes divided by shallow oblique grooves into. the series of
branchial arch rudiments. About stage 25 (Fig. 200, B) the tip of the
head and the tip of the tail project sharply above the general surface: the
external gills (c._q) are now in the form of four distinct little knobs on
each side, and the cement organ (6.0) has made its appearance as a
crescentic structure on the ventral side curving round the tip of the
VOL. II 2 F
RTEBRATES CII.
FIG. 200.-—Stages in the development of Lepidosiren
pa.mdo;ca.
A, stage 23; 13,25; 0, 26; D, 28; E, 31; F, 33; G, 35;
II, 36. (2.0, cement organ; E, eye; ¢a.g/, external gill; M,
mnuth; p.f, pectoral fin; pl. f, pelvic fin; sp.z..~, spiral valve of
intestine. (A-FXB; Gx2'5; IIX2.)
VII EXTERNAL FEATURES OF DIPN OI 435
head. The posterior part of the body now becomes laterally compressed, it grows rapidly in length and the larva assumes a somewhat
tadpole-like form——the apparent “ tail” being at first bent ventrally
(Fig. 200, O). '1‘he anus is situated close to the tip of this portion
of the body, therefore it is, strictly speaking, not tail but rather
posterior trunk-region. About this period hatching takes place.
The tail-like hinder region now straightens out (Fig. 200, D) and
grows rapidly in length, the growth being at first mainly pre-anal
and the true tail-region developing later. As in Crossopterygians
the tail is throughout protocercal. As in I’ol3/pterus again the headregion for a considerable period shows no active growth in length: it
is not until about stage 31 (Fig. 200, E) that its growth becomes active
and the head-region begins to develop the modelling of its definitive
features. The external gills grow actively in length after hatching:
each develops a double row of pinnae along its external margin and
eventually all four become fused togetlier at their bases. They reach
their maximum about stage 35 and thereafter undergo a process of
atrophy resulting in their complete disappearance. The limbs make
their appearance about stage 31, each as a little knob bearing a
striking resemblance to the first stage of an external gill. The
cement organ increases in size forming a large cushion-like and very
conspicuous organ in the larva of stages 32-34 (Fig. 200, F). Eventually it shrivels up and disappears without leaving a trace behind.
In 1’r0topte7°zLs as already mentioned the general features of
development agree very closely with those of Lep'iclos'£7'en.
Of Cerutoclus developmental material was obtained by Caldwell
in 1884 a11d by Semen in 1891. Semon’s material has formed
the basis of a long series of investigations by himself and others
which together constitute an important contribution to Vertebrate
morphology (Semen, 1893-1913; 1901*).
While the general modelling of the body shows a general
resemblance to that of Lepido.9-iren and P7'otopterus there are certain
well-marked differences in detail. Perhaps the most striking of
these is that the head-region shoots ahead in its development and
grows actively in length so as to project freely in front of the yolk
at a much earlier period than in the other genera (Fig. 201, A, B).
Again the main mass of yolk undergoes a more uniform process of
lengthening so that it assumes a somewhat spindle-like form and
allows the body as a whole to become slender and “fish ”-like,. the
“ tadpole” shape due to the persisting spherical mass of yolk in
Polypterus or Lepiclosiren being here absent. During the later
larval stages the divergence of Oemtodus from the other two Lungfishes towards the more typical fish condition becomes marked by
the paddle-like form of the limbs and the much greater development
of the median fin round the hinder end of the body. It will be
noticed also that two conspicuous features of the young Lep'id0s'i7'en
or P'rotopte'rus—the Cement organ and the external gills-are
completely absent in (Ieratodus.
436 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
In the Urodela the least specialized subdivision of the Amphihia
the evolution of external form closely resembles that of the Lung
Fm. 20].——Development of C'emt4)dus_/0'rste'ri. (From Sen1ou——1'n. the Australian Bush.)
A, stage 32; I3, 34; C, 38; D, 41; E, 45; F, 48. (Magnillcation about 6,} diameters.)
fishes. An early ‘stage of such a relatively primitive member as
Nectums might readily be mistaken for the corresponding stage of
I vn
EXTERNAL FEATURES OF AMPHIBIA
Oeratodus and an almost equally striking resemblance is shown by
an Axolotl or Newt about the time
of hatching, except that in this
case there are the well-developed
external gills which were as we
have seen absent in Ueratodus
though present in the other two
Lung-fi.shes.
In the case of the Anura it
is perhaps premature to make
general statements regarding the
diflerences in form which distinguish them from the more primitive Urodela, for different species
differ greatly in the size of the
egg and its richness in yolk and
the great majority of them have
not as yet had their development
worked out.
The head-region projects less
prominently, sometimes beingin
its early stages quite flattened
out on the yolk (Alytes, Phyllomedusa) while in other cases the
embryo elongates as a whole
there being for a time no marked
break in contour between head,
trunk and tail. In such cases
growth in length may for a time
be most active ventrally, so as to
cause a curvature of the embryo
with its concavity on the dorsal
side (Rama). In the later stages
the tail-region is highly developed,
the splanchnocoele being greatly
shortened and widened and the
head also very broad giving the
characteristic tadpole type of
larva.
Particular interest attaches to
the development of such types
of Amphibia as possess heavily
yolked eggs. A good example
is afforded by the Gymnophiona
such as Hypogeophxis (Fig. 202).
A conspicuous difference from
the condition seen in the Telec
SCOIIIBS      (1),
FIG. 202.—Embryos of 11;:/pogeopluis rostratus.
(After Brauer, 1899.)
A, 15, ()x4_; I) xll. (For 41¢‘-tails of B cf. Fig. 87,
In‘, eye; «.3/, (‘Kl-I‘-l'lHll gill ; ul_/ ‘l':u-tory orgzm.
438 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
in the fact that here as in the Dipnoi the embryonic body during
the early stages of its differentiation has a much greater angular
extent, curving round the mass of yolk cells instead of being
restricted to a small extent near the apical pole. Another important point to notice is the well-marked downward flexure of the
head during early stages—-—-a feature which has already been correlated (p. 93) with the presence of a large supply of yolk. The
active forward growth of the head-region leads to the rounded
main mass of yolk being situated well back, just in front of the
anal region (Fig. 202, 0), instead of anteriorly as in the tadpole,shaped larvae of Lepidosiren. or Protopterus or the Ganoid fishes.
ELASMOBRANCHII.—-Of the isolated groups of Vertebrates characterized by having meroblastic eggs the most nearly primitive is
that of the Elasmobranch fishes. Unfortunately for purposes of
comparison we are not, up to the present, acquainted with any
member of the group possessing small eggs poor in yolk.
Here as in other groups with typically meroblastic eggs the
early rudiment of the body of the embryo——or more correctly of
the dorsal portion of the body——extends through a relatively small
angular extent, in striking contrast with the 200” or more of a
Lung-fish or of one of the Gymnophiona. As the embryo proceeds
with its development it grows actively in length, headwards and
tailwards, so as to project freely in a tangential direction, remaining
in connexion with the main mass of the egg (yolk-sac) by a narrow
yolk-stalk. During the forward growth of the head growth-activity
is less pronounced on the ventral side so that the gill-clefts are
forced into an oblique position and the head undergoes pronounced
cerebral flexure.
AMNIOTA.——In the non-mainmalian Amniotal the first point to
notice is that although the size of the egg and the absolute amount
of food-yolk contained within it are relatively enormous yet the
degree of telolecithality is less extreme than it is in the case of the
meroblastic eggs of fishes. Consequently the segmentation process
resulting in blastoderm formation spreads in an abapical direction
past the level at which the posterior end of the embryonic rudiment
will be developed: as a result of this the entire embryonic rudiment
lies at its first appearance well within the boundary of the blastoderm,
instead of its hinder end being coincident with that boundary as
is the case in Elasmobranchs.
Here again the embryonic body grows forwards and backwards
free from the surface of the egg, the backward growth being much
less pronounced than in the case of the fishes in anticipation of the
ultimate lesser degree of development of the tail-region correlated
with its diminished locomotor importance in the adult.
The most striking feature however is one which may perhaps
be correctly expressed by saying that the clogging influence of the
1 The external features in their development are well illustrated by the developing
Bird (see the figures in Chap. X.).
VII THE EXTERNAL FEATURES OF THE BODY 439
yolk upon the growth in length of the ventral side of the body is
much more marked than in other Vertebrates. The result is a
strong ventral curvature of the body. The ventral flexure of the
head. in the mid-brain region already seen in the Elasmobranchs
and Grymnophiona is here still more marked, but in addition the
whole body is strongly curved ventrally to such an extent as to form
more than one complete t11rn of a spiral. This curvature is in its
incipient stages of great morphological interest as providing a possible
explanation of the downward indentation of the blastoderm by the
head and tail regions, and their consequent ensheathment in blastedermal pockets, which led eventually to the evolution of the amnion.
The formation of the amnion and the separation of true amnion
from false amnion involve as will be gathered from Chapter VIII.
a solution of continuity of the somatopleure or original body-wall
and probably this has initiated what is perhaps the most striking
feature of amniote development—the loss, at the time of batching,
of a relatively large proportion of somatopleure together with the
allantois.
As a matter of minor detail it should be mentioned that in the
case of Birds as compared with the lower Amniota the embryo is distinguished during a long period by the relatively enormous size of the
head. It seems reasonable to regard this as in the main an anticipation of the great development of the eyes and optic lobes in the adult.
In the foregoing short sketch the author has confined himself to
the main branches of the Vertebrate stem. He has omitted all
reference to three different types near the base of that stem,
namely Amphz'oams, the Lamprey, and the Myxinoid, which are
of great interest in themselves but which are of less importance
for enforcing general principles of Vertebrate development. Of the
three types the first will be found fully described by MacBride in
Vol. I. and it will easily be seen how in the general form of body, as
in various other characteristics, the young Amphioxus has diverged
widely from the more typical Vertebrates. The Myxinoids, so far as
they are known from Bashford Dean’s researches on Bdellostoma
(1899), appear also to be highly specialized. The Lampreys on the
other hand have diverged to a much less extent from the normal.
The most striking features during the early development of the body
are (1) that the head-region, as Was the ease in C'e7"at0du.~: and Hypogeoplz/is and as is the case also with Bdellostoma, shows a marked
activity in its growth in length, the mass of yolk persisting longest
posteriorly and (2) that the outgrowth of the tail is delayed until a
comparatively late period. A marked negative feature in all three
of the types mentioned is the absence of all trace of paired limbs.
(2) THE MEDIAN FINs.—- The primitive Vertebrate, with its
segmented musculature arranged along the two sides of the body
and its skeletal axis and central nervous system lying at the mesial
plane, is clearly a creature constructed for swimming by lateral
440 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
flexure after the manner of an Eel. To secure greater efliciency the
body, more particularly its purely motor post-anal portion, becomes
compressed from side to side, the compression being most marked
near the margin of the body where the thin almost membranous
median fin is produced.
In development the median fin arises as a projecting fold of slightly
thickened ectoderm into which later on mesenchyme penetrates. 111
what the evidence points to as being the primitive condition this fin
rudiment is continuous and extends round the hind end of the body.
In such relatively primitive Vertebrates as Orossopterygians, Lungfishes, and some Elasmobranchs, it extends forwards on the dorsal
side practically to the head-region, while on the ventral side it
reaches the anus and may even be continued onwards as a pre-anal
median fin, though possibly this has originated in phylogeny independently of the main fin-fold.
In the Lung-fishes the median fin-fold during the course of
development never loses its continuous and practically symmetrical
arrangement round the tip of the tail. lt retains throughout life the
ptimitive symmetrical (protocercal) form. In the Crossopterygians
(apart from the anterior portion ofthe dorsal fin which becomes divided
up into a series of finlets) the same holds until a very late stage in
development, the tail of the adult becoming very slightly asymmetrical though the term protocercal is usually and justifiably still
applied to it. A similar protocercal tail occurs in the Amphibian
larva while the tail of the adult Newt or Crocodile is simply a protocercal tail in which there is no longer a membranous fin-fold present.
It is however characteristic of the fishes in general that, in
accordance with their high specialization as expert swimmers, the
median fin during ontogeny loses its homogeneous character——eertain portions of it, probably those portions which are in mechanically the most favourable positions, becoming enlarged while the
intervening portions become reduced to the point of complete disappearance. The result is that the place of the originally continuous
fin-fold is taken by a series of separate fins—--one or two dorsal, a
caudal or tail fin, and on the ventral side, an anal fin. 01' these the
caudal fin--most favourably situated of all the series to serve as a
propelling organ——becomes specially enlarged. It is also characteristic
of the more efficient swimmers that the part of the caudal fin lying
on the ventral side of the axis becomes particularly developed. We
may probably associate this with the function of rotating the body
about its long axis as may be seen in a shark when it seizes its prey.
The unsymmetrical condition of the tail so produced is termed heterocercal. When carried to its extreme the tip of the vertebral axis
becomes tilted upwards and, so far as external appearance goes, a
(secondarily) symmetrical condition is arrived at, as is seen in the
homocercal tail of the Teleostean fishes. It will be understood that
the protocercal, heterocercal and homocercal conditions merge into
one another and cannot be distinguished by any rigid definition.
VII FIN S AND LIMBS 441
They clearly represent successive grades in the evolution of the tail as
a more and more perfect organ of propulsion, a process of evolution
which has come about independently in the various groups of fishes.
Thus even the Lung-fishes—the surviving members of which group
possess the primitive protocercal type of tail——during the geological
periods when they most flourished showed numerous forms in which
there was a highly developed heterocercal tail.
Again the assumption of a sluggish mode of life, or the simplification of the swimming movements, is frequently correlated with
reversion of the tail towards the. protocercal condition. This is
clearly seen in many teleostean fishes, such as the Eels and many
deep—sea bottom-frequenting fishes. In such cases all trace of the
unsymmetrical condition may have disappeared from ontogeny but
there is no room for doubt regarding an ancestral heteroeercal or
homocercal condition——-for in their general structure these fishes are
highly evolved Teleosts and the group as a whole is characterized by
the tail being homocercal.
In the case of’ the surviving Lung-fishes the general archaicism
in structure, and more especially the extremely archaic character bf
the paired fins, are in favour of the protocercal character of the tail
being persistent rather than revertive-—apart from the evidence of
embryology which fails to disclose any trace of a pre—existing heteroeercal phase.
(3) THE LI.\ms.—~()nc of the characteristic structural features 01
the Vertebrata is the presence of the two pairs of limbs, pectoral and
pelvic. Two main types of such limbs can be recognized—the fin
type for swimming and the. pentadactyle or leg type for moving on a
solid substratum. As the former is on the whole characteristic of
fishes, and as fishes are on the whole more nearly primitive than are
terrestrial \'e1‘tcbrates, the idea has naturally arisen and has now
attained perilously near to the position of a dogma that the leg type
of limb has been evolved out of the fin; and elaborate attempts have
been made to define the manner i11 which this has come about. It
is necessary at the outset to emphasize the importance of keeping an
open mind upon this question: there exists the possibi1ity———which as
will be seen later is not lightly to be. brushed aside—that pentadactyle limb and fin are not in the relation of lineal descent at all
but that they have been derived from a common ancestral type of
limb differiiig from either.
No limbs exist in Amp/uJo.vus or in the Cyelostomata. There is
however a general tendency in Vertebrates which have assumed an
eel-like form of body for the limbs to degenerate and disappear, and
it is well to bear in mind the possibility that this has happened in
the case of both of the types mentioned.
The limb at its first appearance in embryonic development forms
a little projection from the body surface—a core of mesenchyme
enclosed in an ectodermal sheath. In Lapidosirevt or Protopterus or
a Urodele it is in the form of a rounded knob identical in appearance
442 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.
with the rudiment of an external gill, but in a large proportion of
the Vertebrates it is narrower in a dorsi-ventral than in an anteroposterior direction so as to have the form of a short longitudinallyrunning ridge.
As is usual where active increase of surface is about to take place
the projecting limb rudiment is foreshadowed by a thickening of the
ectoderm and by a condensation of the underlying mesenchyme.
In Torpedo, one of the Rays--fishes characterized by the great
antero-posterior extension of the large pectoral fin——the two limb,
rudiments which are at first distinct (Rabl, 1893) become for a time
joined together by a transitory ectodermal thickening. This phase,
in which the two fin rudiments are as it were parts of a continuous
ridge, was the earliest stage observed by Balfour (1878) and it
afforded him an embryological basis for the lateral-fold view of the
phylogenetic origin of the Vertebrate limbs (see p. 445).
As the limb rudiment develops it shows in many cases characteristic changes in its position. First it shows a movement of rotation.
This is well illustrated by the ease of C'e7'at0dus as described by
Semen (1898). Here the pectoral limb rudiment becomes rotated in
such a way that its originally pre-axial or headward edge becomes
dorsal and its originally lower or ventral surface comes to face in
a headward direction. In other words, if one could observe the
developing left pectoral limb from a point away to the animal's left
side the limb would be seen to undergo a clockwise rotation. It
results from this that when the fully developed limb is folded back
alongside the body its outer surface is that which was originally
ventral. A rotation similar in direction though varying in angular
extent in different forms occurs also during the development of the
pectoral tin in Crossopterygians and Actinopterygians. In Tetrapoda,
on the other hand, a rotation of the limb rudiment in the opposite
direction takes place—the pre-axial edge becoming ventral. N ot
improbably this may be regarded as a secondary modification foreshadowing the pronate position of the fore-limb characteristic of
terrestrial progression.
The pelvic fin in Ceratodus undergoes a similar rotation but in
the opposite direction to that of the pectoral: the left pelvic fin
regarded from a point away on the animal's left would be seen to
undergo a counter-clockwise rotation. The result is that the originally dorsal surface comes to face headwards or, when the fin is
folded back alongside the body, outwards.
The corresponding rotation of the pelvic limb in other fishes
and in the lower Tetrapods appears to stand in need of further
investigation,
It is clear from the facts of Comparative Anatomy that the paired
limbs have undergone extensive shiftings along the surface of the
vertebrate body in adaptation to its general form and its method of
movement (see below, p. 448). It is of interest-——though not necessary
for establishing the fact of such phylogenetic shifting-—to enquire
VII DEVELOPMENT OF LIMBS -143
whether any record of it occurs in ontogeny. Obvious evidence
which at once suggests itself‘ in this connexion is the presence of
abortive muscle-buds in front of or behind those which become
incorporated in the definitive limb. These seem clearly to indicate that the part of the body surface superficial to these buds
was at one time part of the actual limb. But unfortunately such
abortive buds occur both anterior and posterior to the definitive.
limb and there is no means of fixing definitely the time in phylogenetic evolution from which the two sets of abortive buds date.
They may date from the same period, in which case they might
merely afibrd evidence of the process of narrowing of the limb base
which has undoubtedly taken place during the later evolution of
fins; or they may date from dill'ere11t periods, in which case the
anterior set might be taken as evidence of a backward movement of
the limb, and the hinder set as evidence of a forward movement
occurring at a dilli-rent period—— movements which again have undoubtedly taken place. In View of the impossibility of determining
to what extent the evidence in any particular case is to be interpreted in these two different directions it seems on the whole advisable to leave this muscle-bud evidence on one side.
Other evidence has been adduced from cases where the actual
limb rudiment as a whole (’i.6. the projection from the surface of the
body) seems to be displaced during development. For example in
the figures illustrating the development of the pelvic limb in Spvlnaa;
(p. 207) it will be seen that the anterior limit of the fin is in successive
stages of development opposite myotomes 21, 26, 28 and 3]; the
hinder limit at the same stages opposite myotomes 30, 38, 38 and
39, and the middle of the fin base opposite myotomes 25, 32/33,
33/34 and 35/36. It seems quite allowable in such a case to speak
of the limb as having undergone a backward displacement. In other
cases, as that of Sq?//ldzmz. according to Goodrich (1906), ontogenetic
development discloses no evidence of such backward migration.
The limb rudiment gradually increases in size and assumes
its definitive form and as it does so it becomes equipped with its
characteristic skeletal and neuromuscular arrangements in the manner
already described.
l’lIYLOGENETI(-3 ORIGIN or THE LIMBS.-—Tl1e limbs are organs
highly characteristic of the V ertebrata. While they exist typically
as two pairs, pectoral and pelvic, one or both pairs readily disappear
in groups where they are no longer needed. They are particularly
prone to disappear in those Vertebrates which assume an elongated
form of body and revert to the archaic method of moving by lateral
fiexure. Thus in Eels the pelvic limb has disappeared, in S3/mbrancltus
both pairs. In Lepidosiren, the most elongated Lung-fish, we see
both pairs in process of reduction. We see the same in elongated
Urodeles such as A1n.ph'im22a., while in the Gymnophiona both pairs
have vanished. In Reptiles we see beautifully how the limbs undergo
reduction (O/mlcvldes) and complete disappearance (Amphisbaenidae,
444 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
Alngwis) in those various groups of Lizards which have developed
an elongated snake-like form. So also in Snakes.
In cases where the limbs are completely gone in the adult it may
be possible to observe them during early stages of development.
The young Symbranchus (Fig. 203) has for a time huge pectoral fins
which it uses as organs of respiration (Taylor, 1914). In Gymnaphiona and Blind Worms (Angu'£s)‘ minute limb rudiments have also
been observed in the embryo. In other cases no trace of the missing
limbs has been found during early development. In view of this
general tendency of the limbs to disappear in Vertebrates which
have assumed an eel-like or snake-like form of body it is well, as
FIG. 203-""SU7n.bm-m:/rus -fi‘e..m'm.m'u/am. Larvae showing I-lectoml fi"S'
(After Taylor, 1914.)
o.u, opercular opening; s.i.'v, subintestinal vein ; y, yolk.
already indicated, not to assume a dogmatic attitude in regard to
such Vertebrates as Lampreys or Hag-fishes. The possibility is not
excluded that even these Cyclostomes are descended from ancestors
in which limbs were present.
The interesting question now emerges—-1-Iow did the limbs of the
Vertebrate originate in evolution 2 Few morphological speculations
have excited more interest and more controversy than this. Two
main hypotheses have been propounded and each has found supporters
amongst the most eminent morphologists. Although in the opinion
of the present writer it is no longer necessary to fall back upon
either of these views, a simpler possibility having presented itself, a
U The elementary student may be warned not to mistake the rudiments of the
paired penes in Snake embryos for limbs ! "
VII EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF LIMBS 445
short sketch of each and of the arguments for and against it may
now be given. The two hypotheses indicated are the “ Lateral Fold ”
hypothesis of Balfour, Mivart, Thacher and others and the “ Gillseptum ” hypothesis of Gegenbaur and his school. Each hypothesis
concerns itself with the origin of the paired limbs of fishes -—the
fin being regarded as the primitive type of limb from which the
pentadactyle limb has been evolved later on.
THE LATERAL-FOLD HYPO'l‘HESIS.——It will be remembered that
the mode of development of the median unpaired fins indicates
clearly that these fins are simply persisting and exaggerated portions
of a once continuous median fin-fold. According to the lateral-fold
hypothesis of the origin of the limbs the paired fins of fishes are
similarly to be looked on as persisting and enlarged portions of a
continuous fin-fold which once extended along each side of the body.
The hypothesis rests upon a tripod basis of Embryological, Anatomical and Palaeontological fact.
Balfour in his Development of Elasmobranch fishes (1878) wrote:
“Along each side of the body there appears during this stage (G-I)
a thickened line of epiblast, which from the first exhibits two
special developments: one of these just in front of the anus, and a
second and better marked one opposite the front end of the
segmental 1 duct. These two special thickenings are the rudiments
of the paired fins, which thus arise as special developments of a
continuous ridge on each side, precisely like the ridges of epiblast
which form the rudiments of the unpaired fins.” “If the account
just given of the development of the limbs is an accurate record of
what really takes place, it is not possible to deny that some light is
thrown by it on the first origin of the vertebrate limbs. The facts
can only bear one interpretation, viz. that the limbs are the remnants
of continuous lateral fins.”
Further embryological support to this hypothesis has been provided (1) by the fact that the muscles of the limb are of segmental
origin, derived from a number, often a considerable number, of
myotomes (see p. 207) and that apparently vestigial muscle-buds
have been found both headward and tailward of the series which
take part in the muscularization of the definitive fin, a11d (2) by the
fact that the fin type of limb commonly shows a marked narrowing
of its base. of attachment during the process of development, the
rudiment having during early stages the form of a longitudinal ridge
attached throughout its length to the body.
Regarding the evidence upon which the fin-fold hypothesis rests
the following criticisms may be expressed. (1) The ectodermal ridge
described as connecting the two limb rudiments in Elasmobranchs
turns out to be a characteristic not of Elasmobranchs in general but
only of Rays (Torpedo) 7I.e. of forms in which there is an enormous,
admittedly secondary, extension of the pectoral fin along the side of
the body. The Elasmobranchs less specialized in this respect—the
1 = Archinephric.
446 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
Sharks and Dog-lisl1es——-do not, so far as is known, develop this
ridge.
(2) The fact that the myotomes-—-from which the limb rudiment,
like other portions of the body, has to derive its equipment of
voluntary muscles———arc themselves metameric and that the skeletal
elements necessarily correspond in position with the muscles seems
to render it unnecessary to seek any further evolutionary explanation of the tendency on the part of the musculature and skeleton of
the limb to exhibit a markedly metameric appearance during early
stages in its development.
The occurrence of abortive muscle-buds 111 front of the definitive
limb is taken-——-quite reasonably-——as evidence pointing to a tailward
shifting of the anteiior margin of the limb having taken place, and
similarly the presence of abortive buds behind the definitive limb is
taken as evidence of a headward shifting of the hinder margin of the
limb. but this shifting of the anterior and posterior margins of the
limb may have in evolution taken place either synchronously (13.6.
together with a narrowing of the base of attachment of the fin) or at
dhferent periods as the limb shifted backwards and forwards as a
whole in accordance with variations in adaptational requirements.
The present writer sees no convincing reason for rejecting either of
these possibilities and if either be possible then the evidence loses
its value as support of one view rather than the other.
(3) The narrowing of the limb proximally and its expansion
distally is a process which would naturally take place as the fin
became more eflieient as a propelling organ --—just as in the evolution
of a racing oar or paddle with its broad blade and slender shaft-and, accordingly, too great weight should not be attached to the
occurrence of such a process during ontogeny in arguing as to the
evolutionary 07"£g'i'a of the limbs.
As regards anatomical evidence stress is laid on the exceedingly
close structural resemblance in skeleton and musculature between
the paired and the unpaired fins. On the other hand it is suggested
that, seeing that lateral and paired fins are organs similar in function
and built up out of similar muscular elements, a close similarity in
their anatomical arrangements may quite probably be merely a case
of that secondary convergence of which so many striking examples
are known in the animal kingdom.
An ancient fossil fish, Cladoselache, is brought in to corroborate
the view, its paired fins having each a broad longitudinally-running
base of attachment and being apparently supported by separate rays
without any continuous basal skeleton. But it is pointed out (1)
that what signs there are of basal skeleton maybe readily interpreted
as representing the axis of a fin of the Ceratodns type laid back
against the side of the body (see Fig. 169, E, p. 353), and (2) that
the structure of the tail is of a very highly developed and powerful
type and that it is most unlikely that a powerful swimmer, such as
the highly evolved tail demonstrates Oladoselache to have been, should
VII EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF LIMBS 447
have retained its paired fins in a relatively primitive a11d inefiicient
condition.
Finally there are great physiological dillieulties in the way of
accepting the lateral-fold hypothesis. There are no more fundamental
characteristics of the Vertebrate body than the arrangement of its
longitudinal muscles in segmental masses along each side of the body,
a'nd the position of its skeletal axis, its central nervous system and
its main arterial trunk in the region of the mesial plane. It is quite
clear that such a creature is built for swimming by waves of lateral
flexure after the manner of an Amphioxus, a Lamprey or a Lung-fish.
Any new swimming organ that became evolved 111 primitive Vertebrates must have had some advantage over, or at least not interfered
with, this primitive method of swimming. it is difficult to see how
the supposedly ancestral lateral fold could possibly have complied with
these conditions. 'l‘l1e suggestion that the lateral fold may have
functioned at first as a balancing organ or as a “bilge keel” will
not bear examination from the point of view of elementary physics.
Rabl suggests that the two lateral folds may have acted primitively
as a kind of parachute and that they became muscularized at their
anterior and posterior ends, the intermediate portion undergoing
atrophy (thus originating the two pairs of limbs). The‘skeletal
elements on this view would also develop at the ends of the ridge
first, and spread backwards (pectoral fin) or forwards (pelvic fin).
Thus would be explained the reversal of the position of the anterior
and posterior edges of the two fins in 0.9. C'e'mtodu.s-. Such an
explanation however fails entirely to meet the diiliculty that there
exists not merely an antero-posterior reversal in the structure of the
two fins but also a dorsi-ventral one.
THE GILL-sEr'rUM llYI’O’l‘HESIS.-—Tl1iS hypothesis was based by
Gegenbaur (1872) on facts of adult anatomy. In some of the
Elasmobranclis (1’r1Istt'.s) the central gill ray attached to the branchial
arch is enlarged and the rays next to it have come to have their
bases of attachment shifted secondarily from the arch 011 to this
enlarged ray, so as to produce an arrangement recalling the biserial
archipterygium of Oemtodus with its central axis and lateral rays;
Gegenbaur suggests that the archipterygium with its limb girdle
has in fact been evolved o11t of such an arrangement of rays
attached to a branchial arch and.that the limb itself is serially
homologous with the gill septum.
In support of this view it is pointed out that branchial arch and
limb girdle are each in early stages of development in the form of a
continuous curved rod of cartilage; that this becomes usually
segmented in the case of the branchial arch but that even ill the
girdle it also shows traces of segmentation in some ancient fossil
forms (Pleuracanthids, Acanthodians); that in some cases the perichondrium of the pectoral girdle is known to be innervated by that
typical branchial nerve the Vagus; that in the lower forms the
t7'apez'ius,o11e of the muscles associated with the fore-limb, is innervated
448 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
by the same nerve; and that connected with the ordinary branchial
arches there are myotomic muscles as well as splanchnic, so that the
basis already exists for a muscularization purely myotomic.
On.the other hand the objection is urged against the (legenbaur hypothesis that it involves a very great shifting of the
pelvic fin backwards from its assumedly original position at the
hinder end of the branchial region. This objection need not be
taken seriously in view of the extensive shiftings of the limbs which
are definitely known to have taken place. Thus in Rays we
commonly find that the pectoral girdle has moved back to a position
in relation to the segmentation of the body far posterior to the
position which it occupies in Sharks: in Urodele Amphibians the
hind-limb has taken up positions, as indicated by the position of the
sacrum, varying between the 14th (flriton palmatus) and 63rd
vertebra (Amphvluma means) while in the Anura—where in accordance with the leaping habits it is advantageous to have the attachment of the hind-limb far forward——the sacrum has come to be as
far forward as the 9th or even (II;/menoclmlrus) the 6th vertebra 1 : in
l’l'esiosaurs and Birds a still more striking backward migration of
the pectoral girdle with its attached limb has taken place (any. in
the Swan as compared with A7'cltaeopte'rg/at through 14 or 15
segments): and finally in many Teleostean fishes the pelvic fins
have become so shifted forwards along the sides of the body as
to attain to an actually jugular position.
The fact that the limb girdles are embedded in the somatopleure
while the branchial arches lie in the splanchnopleure has again been
raised as a difliculty in the way of accepting the Gegenbaur theory.
The difiiculty is not so serious as it seems at first sight. The chief
obstacle in the way of a splanchnopleural organ becoming shifted
outwards into the somatopleure is clearly the coelomic cavity—but
in the branchial region this tends to be in great part obliterated.
As regards blood-vessels, nerves, etc.——-these form by no means
insuperable barriers to the change in position of skeletal elements.
Such skeletal tissue may; as has already been indicated in Chapter
V., spread past a blood-vessel or nerve and if it then becomes
absorbed behind the obstacle there is brought about a complete
transposition of the two structures.
The criticism that the musculature of the limbs is myotomic in
origin while that of the branchial arches is splanchnic is provided
against by the mixed character of the muscularization of the branchial
arches, taken in conjunction with the demonstration that in such a case
replacement ofsplanchnic muscle by myotomic may take place (p. 217).
Rabl considers the metameric origin of the muscles etc. of the
limb to be enough by itself to undermine the Gegenbaur hypothesis,
but it is difiicult to see how the musculature could be otherwise
than metameric in origin seeing that it has to be derived from the
segmentally arranged myotomes.
1 Gadow, in Cambridge Natural Ilistory.
VII EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF LIMBS 449
The muscularization of the jugular pelvic fin of Teleostean fishes
is admittedly secondary: the limb rudiment becomes muscularizerl
by the myotomes to which it happens to be opposite- at the time
muscularization begins: but if this fact be admitted it is not open
to us to deny the possibility of a similar process having taken place
in the successive positions taken up by the pelvic limb in the course
of the movements which it has undergone during phylogenetic
evolution.
A further objection urged against the Gegenbaur hypothesis is
that there have not been discovered, up to the present, any examples
of the intermediate stages between gill-septum and limb which must
have existed if this hypothesis be a true theory. This objection
appears to be a valid one.
Again it is urged that in those Vertebrates which would appear,
in this respect, to have retained most nearly the primitive condition
(Cyelostomata, Elasmobranchii) the gill-septa are fixed firmly in
position and are therefore not likely to become converted into motor
organs, which must necessarily project beyond the surface and be
freely movable. This objection like the last appears to be a valid
one.
It will be apparent from the short sketch which has been given
of the two rival views of the evolutionary origin of the limbs of
Vertebrates that neither can be regarded as wholly satisfactory.
However these hypotheses are old, as the science of Embryology goes.
They were designed to fit the data available at the time they were
formulated and the great bulk of subsequent work upon this
particular problem has consisted in the adducing of new facts which
appear conveniently to fit on to those already accumulated by the
supporters of one view or the other. In a rapidly advancing science
like Embryology however it is advisable to have from time to time a
stocktaking of the facts of contemporary knowledge with the object
of seeing whether the more extensive body of available facts suggests
the same. working hypotheses as were suggested by the facts known
at earlier periods or, as is always possible, something quite different.
The putting this principle into practice is more conducive to progress
and more stimulating to research than the mere accumulation of
further facts to support or to confute the working hypotheses of
earlier times.
THE EXTERNAL GILL HY1>o'rIn3s1s.——App1ying this principle to
the problem of the evolutionary origin of the limbs one finds an
important set of data which were not available to Gegenbaur or
Balfour. In their day there was no proper appreciation of the
importance of the fact that there existed in three of the less specialized
groups of Vertebrates——Urodele Amphibians, Lung-fishes and Crossopterygians——-those organs which have been described in Chapter III.
under the name External Gills. The mode of development of these
organs is now known in all three of the groups mentioned and the
VOL. 11 2 G
450 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
evidence appears to be conclusive that they are truly homologous
throughout.
It has been shown that there is a tendency for the External
Gills to become eliminated-—as e.g. in various Anurous Amphibians:
it has been shown further that in some of the main groups of Vertebrates in which they do not occur. their disappearance may be
accounted for by the evolution of a new physiological substitute-—
the vascular surface of the yolk-sac.
Having regard to these facts and to the relatively archaic
character of the groups in which they actually occur the conclusion
is considered justifiable that such external
gills are organs of high antiquity in the
Vertebrate stem. Further, from their distribution upon the various arches it is inferred that in all probability an external
gill was once present upon each visceral
arch. But it has also been shown to be
probable that the series of visceral cleft_s
—-and therefore of visceral arches—was
formerly more extensive, extending farther
back along the body than it does in existing Vertebrates. It is therefore concluded
that in an earlier phase of its evolution
A the phylum whose modern representatives
we call Vertebrates was characterized by
me. 204. -—'Left side of head the possession of a series of external gills
fig?“ ‘:lp](:f":‘vh‘i’:h‘Rm? extending tailwards ‘beyond the limit
days pl'eviou.x-ly, .1 piece of reached by the branchial region of existskin from the branchial region  'Verteb1~a,t,gs_
;3fa;}t1;_f;fh¢;!'A ;?t*(:*I}?;j,33m11l‘=j:119"1*;;f'; But such external gills are potential
organs of support—as shown by the
_''_-"-P "' ‘”= ‘,“‘il""_"“' 3*”-" (“_""_°' “balancers” of Urodeles (see Fig. 88, p. 157)
sltlc), e.g/.t, external gills (pa1a- . .
.ee.,) me.  «levvloped  ——and also potentlal organs of moVement———
the implanted piece of skin; on, as shown by the well-developed muscula"1’°""“"‘“" ture by which they can be flicked backwards. In other words these organs——
and these alone among the organs of the Vertebrata—posseSs the
qualifications which have to be postulated for the evolutionary
forerunner of the Vertebrate limb.
In view of such considerations as those just set forth the present
writer believes the most plausible working hypothesis of the evolutionary origin of the limbs—having regard to our present-day knowledge-—to be that which interprets them as modified external gills, belonging to visceral arches farther back in the series than those forming
the branchial arches of existing Vertebrates. The limb girdle would
on this hypothesis, as on that of Gegenbaur, be interpreted as representing a branchial arch skeleton, the dllfeI‘('.‘.I1("(' from the Gegenbaur
view having to do rather with the nature of the projecting limb itself.
VII EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF LIMBS 451
Fig. 200 illustrates how close may be the general resemblance
between the earliest stages of development of limb and external
gill. The same is brought out also by Fig. 204, representing part of
a frog larva on which had been grafted a piece of skin from the
gill-producing region of another larva. The external gills of the
graft have gone on developing and are remarkably limb-like in
appearance.‘
The External Gill Hypothesis as to the evolutionary origin of the
limbs fits in well with other facts which are n.ow known. In the breeding male Lepidosiren the hind limb regularly and the pectoral limb
occasionally (Agar, 1908) take on temporarily the characters of an
external gill both in structure and in function (Fig. 205). This
remarkable fact——-otherwise a morphological 1nystery—becomes at
once understandable on the hypothesis outlined above, as a simple
“reversion” towards an ancestral condition. Fig. 205 brings out
clearly a further peculiarity of these gill-like limbs-of the male
Lepidosiren, namely that the respiratory outgrowths of the limb are
Flo. 205.--Lq2i4lo.w79-en., breeding male showing apparent rever.si«:m of hoth pectoral and
pelvic liinhs to the branchial condition. (From a specimen in the Zoological Museum
of the University of Glasgow.)
in the case of the pectoral limb attached to its ventral side, in the
case of the pelvic to its dorsal side. But it has already been shown
that the definitively ventral side of the pectoral limb is homologous
with the definitively dorsal side of the pelvic limb——the difference
in position lming due to the rotation ,in different directions undergone by the llllll.) rudiments in the course of their development.
This reversed position of the respiratory filaments in the two sets of
limbs clearly then fits in exactly with the View that they are ancient
morphological characteristics of the li.mb which have reappeared in
the male Lepidosiren.
The striking resemblance between the pectoral girdle and the
branchial arches in some of the more ancient Fishes again finds its
explanation in the morphological identity of the two structures. It
is now established that the swim-bladder of Fishes is morphologically
a lung, and that the lung is to be regarded as at the least an extremely
ancient organ in the Vertebrate phylum. This points to the probability that the early Vertebrates were creatures which clambered
-‘ Ii('.ll:l'(-‘.1l(_i4.‘. slmllltl also be made to Fig. 88 (p. 157) which brings out clearly the
rcn1:.n'kahly limb-like eh:n'acter of the Urodele “ balancers.”
 
Budgctt (]9()‘l) mentions the case of an abnormal Protopterus larva which had
failed to develop the pinnae upon one of its external gills. “This bare shaft so much
resembled the pm-_-.toi-al limb that the larva appeared to have two pectoral limbs on one
side.”
452 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
about amongst the vegetation of shallow water and we may suppose that in this early stage the limb is as of a crude styliform
shape such as we see exemplified in the metamorphosed external
gill of the Urodele balancers, or in the actual limb of the larva of
Lepidosiren.
On this hypothesis the ancestral styliform limb has pursued two
divergent lines of evolution. The one of these is found in those
Vertebrates which have developed along the lines of becoming
specialized for eflicient swimming. Here it has become a fin,
an early stage of this evolution being represented by the crude
paddle of Ueratodus. That this biserial archipterygial type does
actually represent an extremely early type in the evolution of fins
seems to be demonstrated by two facts taken in conjunction with one
another——
1. That this thick and clumsy organ represents functionally
a relatively ineflicient type of swimming organ as compared with
the thin flat fin of most existing Fishes, and
2. That palaeontology shows it to have been a widely distributed
type of fin in the early days of the evolution of the main groups of
Fishes. It was in fact the predominant type of limb amongst ancient
Elasmobranchs, Ganoids and Lung-fishes.
Evidence is not entirely wanting to show how the Crossopterygian
type of fin on the one hand (as seen in the existing Polypterus) and
the Actinopterygian type on the other (as seen in Amie and other
Ganoids and Teleosts) may have been evolved out of the biserial
archipterygial type. This evidence cannot be gone into here but so
far as Crossopterygians are concerned the student should note
the close resemblance of the pectoral fin of the young Polypterus
(Fig. 197, E) and of its supporting skeleton (Fig. 169, F) to the
modified archipterygial fin of the ancient Shark Plcumcanthus (Fig.
169, B).
Along the other line of evolution the styliform limb has given
rise to the pentadactylc leg with its expanded foot and its
characteristic jointing. It is of great interest in this connexion to
watch the clumsy movements of a Lepidosiren larva and to note that
the hind limb by which the creature pusllvs itself along becomes bent
twice upon itself precisely in the way which would give rise to the
ankle and knee-joints of one of the lower Tetrapoda. Occasionally
the appearance is rendered still more suggestive by the tip flattening
out slightly into a foot-like expansion. The observer watching
a Lepidosircn larva. performing such movements finds it difficult
to avoid the suspicion that he is witnessing something very like
What took place in the early stages of the evolution of the pentadactyle limb. Should this be the true history of the origin of that
type of limb it would explain the unsatisfactory and wholly unconvincing results of the efforts of comparative anatomists to derive the
skeletal elements of the pentadactylc limb from those of one or
other type of fin.
P
VII ORIGIN OF LIMBS AND TAIL 453
Embryology offers no explanation of the number of digits being
so generally five. The physiological advantage of the expanded foot
being divided up into separate radiating digits is obvious, as is that
of the double nature of the adjoining portion of the limb skeleton to
facilitate rotation round the axis of the limb. There are also
mechanical advantages in there being a central digit with one on
each side of it. Possibly the presence of an additional digit outside
of these is to be looked on as of the nature of simple reinforcement.
The modification of the pectoral limb in the case of Birds for
purposes of flight is of great interest, but nothing is known as to the
phylogenetic transition from Reptile to Bird in this connexion. To
the present writer it seems most probable that the Birds were evolved
out of aquatic Reptiles in which the fore-limb was specialized for use
in swimming under water, after the manner of existing Penguins, and
that the function of aerial flight was evolved directly from such
movement under water. On this hypothesis the more or less terrestrial habits of modern Birds would be regarded as a secondary
acquirement. _
(4) EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN or THE TAIL REe1oN.—It is characteristic of Vertebrates that the anus loses its practically terminal
position and comes to be situated some distance forwards on the
ventral side, the overhanging hinder end of the body forming the
tail. This opens up a question of much morphological interestthough one to which we are not yet in a position to give any certain
answer—as to the phylogenetic origin of the tail.
It seems clear that the tail arose in ancient aquatic Vertebrates as
an adaptation to swimming and on the whole it seems most probable
that it came into existence through the gradual migration forwards
of the anus upon the ventral side. Such a shifting forwards of the
anal opening from the binder end of the body is a familiar feature in
many groups of invertebrates where it is associated as a rule with a
tubicolous habit and has doubtless for its object the getting rid of
excretory products which would otherwise be discharged into the
depths of the tube, or burrow, or shell. In the Vertebrate the
forward shifting of the anal opening has probably its physiological
significance in the increasing eflicieney of the tail as the main motive
organ—the disappearance from it of the alimentary canal, and its
surrounding splanchnocoele, being correlated with the conversion of
the tissues on each side of the skeletal axis into a solid mass of
muscle. Probability is added to this conjecture by the fact that we
see what appears to be a continuation of the same process in the
most efficient group of modern swimming Vertebrates (Teleostei)
where in the most highly developed forms the alimentary canal and
splanchnocovle come to be restricted to a relatively small region
immediately behind the head, the remaining and main part of the
body being entirely “ tail.”
In actual ontogeny the tail region is developed not by the withdrawal from it of gut and splanchnocoele but as an actual outgrowth,
454 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH. VII
the hind end of the body continuing to sprout out past and dorsal to
the anal opening. It is of course conceivable that in phylogeny the
tail arose similarly as an outgrowth of the body dorsal to the anus
but this seems in every way less probable than the method of
evolution sketched above.
LITERATURE
Agar. Anat. Anzciger, xxxiii, 1908.
Balfour. Monograph on the Development of Elasmobranc-h Fishes. London, 1878.
Budgett. Trans. Z001. Soc. Lond., xvi, 1901.
Caldwell. Jouru. Proc. Roy. Soc. New South Wales, xviii, 1884.
Dean, Bashford. Kupfl'crs Festscl1rif't. Jena, 1899.
Ekman. Morph. .lahrb., xlvii, 1913.
Gegenbaur. Untersuchungen zur vergl. Anat. dcr Wirlielfllierc, iii. Leipzig. 1872.
Goodrich. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., l, 1906.
Kerr, Graham. Phil. 'l‘ran.s. Roy, Soc. London, B, oxcii, 1900.
Kerr, Graham. The Work of J. S. Blulgett. Ua.1nl)ridgv, 1907.
Kerr, Graham. Kcihcls Normentafcln, iii. Jena, 1909.
Rabl. Morph. Jaln‘l)., xix, 1893.
Semon. Zoologische Fo1'soln111gsreison, i. Jcna, 1893-1913.
Semon. Koibcls Normentafcln, iii. Jena, 1901*.
Taylor. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sr-i., lix, 1914.
CHAPTER Vlll
Al)A‘PTA'l‘ION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
DURING EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
I. PROTECTIVE ENVELOPES on THE ZY("}O'I‘E.——Tl1e Zygote or fertilized egg is in the Vertebrata as in other groups provided with
protective envelopes. Of such we may recognize three fundamentally distinct types which are conveniently designated as primary,
secondary and tertiary envelopes respectively. A primary envelope
is a cuticular covering of the surface of the zygote: it is therefore
produced by the living activity of the protoplasm of the macrogamete
or zygote itself. A typical example of a primary envelope is the
vitelline membrane which is formed on the surface of the Echinoderm
egg in response to the act of fertilization. The “ vitelline membrane ”
which covers the surface of the egg of a Bird is commonly looked on
as a primary envelope.
A secondary envelope is one which is formed by the activity of
the surrounding cells while the egg is still contained in its ovarian
follicle. It may be cuticle-like in its nature or it may be composed
of cells.
Finally tertiary envelopes are formed by the excretory activity
of the oviducal lining, being deposited upon the surface of the egg as
it travels down the oviduct. Of such a nature are the complicated
protective envelopes which surround the egg of a Bird or Reptile,
or the simpler jelly - like investment found in the case of most
Amphibians.
Apart from tertiary envelopes the. most conspicuous envelope of
the Vertebrate egg is usually what is known as the zona radiata or
zona pellucida—-—the former name being given to it from the fact that
it is pierced by numerous very fine canals which give it a characteristic radiate appearance when seen in section. These fine canals
apparently contain protoplasmic bridges connecting the protoplasm
of the egg with that of the follicle-cells which surround it while still
in the ovary, and doubtless having for their function the passing in
of food-material from the follicle-cells into the egg-cell.
The zona radiata is, as a rule, most conspicuous during early
intra-ovarian stages while the egg is undergoing active growth during
the storing up of yolk. Later it thins out and becomes less con
455
456 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.
spicuous. The zone radiata is usually looked upon as primary in
its nature but this is by no means settled and some competent
authorities regard it as secondary. ‘ 4
Outside the zona radiata there may often be found a second
envelope which does not show the perforations characteristic of the
zona radiate: this also in the case of the large heavily yolked
eggs becomes thinned out during the process of growth. Envelopes
of this type are specially conspicuous in those Vertebrates 111
which there is no great development of tertiary envelopes secreted
by the oviducal wall, ag. Teleostcan fishes. In such cases the
Flu. 206.-—A, cluster of eggs of Btlc/lo.stom.a, attached together by the interlocking of their
anchoring ‘filaments ; B, apical portion of the egg-shell. showing the anchoring filaments
projecting from the middle of the separable “lid.” (Figure by Bashford Dean, from
The (;’r.rni..lmTcig¢: .Vrttu-ru..l lI'[stm;z/.)
outer layer of the envelope, lying immediately external to the
typical radiate layer, frequently shows characteristic modifications, consisting of closely packed villi or columns composed of cells
which swell up and become strongly adhesive, serving to attach the
eggs to one another or to a solid object (Roach-———I,euc7Jscus 9'-utvllus,
Bleak-——Albu7~mzs, Herring—,—-C'lupea harengus). In the Actinopterygian Ganoids a similar condition is found. In Uemtodus this
special outer layer is not found, there being here a tertiary envelope
of jelly. ~ In I.cpz'nlosz”re7a._ and Protoptev-us the tertiary envelope is as
a rule no longer formed, the eggs lying loose in the bottom of the
burrow, though it is of interest to notice that in Lepidosiren the
secretion of a jelly-like tertiary envelope round the eggs is still
occasionally found as an individual variation. In Petromyzon, as in
the \Teleosts alluded to above, a radiate envelope is found inside a
villous one which becomes swollen up and sticky on the absorption
VI ll EGG-EN V ELOPES 457
of Water. In the Myxinoids the egg is contained in a cl1aracteristic elongated shell provided at each pole with a group of stiff
anchoring filaments ending each in a lobed umbrella-shaped expansion (Fig. 206). The piece of shell covering the germinal pole is
marked off by a deep incision from the rest so as to form a lid which
is forced ell’ at the time of hatching.
Whatever the true nature of the enve.lopes under discussion,
whether primary or secondary, they already exist round the egg
before fertilization takes place, and as the substance of the envelope
is, as a rule, impenetrable by spermatozoa there necessarily exist one
or more openings or micropyles through which the fertilizing sperniatozoon makes its way into the egg. In the Myxinoids one such
micropyle is found in the middle of the lid, surrounded by the concentric circles of anchoring filaments. The presence of a micropyle
in Lampreys and in Lung-fishes is not delinitely established. In
Lepiclomlren it has been observed that the envelope enclosing the
coelomic, and therefore unfertilized. egg is thick and gelatinous while
after fertilization it becomes dense and horny. Possibly therefore
during the. first-mentioned condition it is penetrable by the spermatozoa. In Te.leostean fishes a mieropyle occurs at the apical pole,
and so also with Actinoptcrygian Ganoids except that in the
Sturgeons there exist a group of openings (5-13 in the Sterlet,
according to Salensky) instead of a single. one.
Of the more complicated arrangements of tertiary envelopes
found in Vertebrates no better example could be taken than those
found in the case of the Fowl’s egg. These will be found described
in Chap. X. In Birds in general the envelopes resemble those of the
Fowl, differences occurring in details of relative size, shape, and colour
of the shell. The “ egg ” (73.0. the zygote with its envelopes) appears
to be largest relatively in Apiary/a; where it reaches about a quarter ot'
the weight of the parent.
The shape of the shell is impressed upon it by the pressure of the
oviducal wall and differences in shape are no doubt due to differences
in the peristaltic contraction. Thus the strong contraction of the
oviducal muscles which, acting on the headward side of the egg,
propels it onward, if combined with comparatively slight contraction
on the tailward side of the egg will naturally cause the egg to assume
a more or less markedly conical shape-—the end of the egg directed
towards the eloaca being broader than the other end. In some
cases, as that of eggs laid on bare ledges of rock, this conical
shape has probably had a definite natural selection value, in causing any rolling niovement of the egg to follow a strongly curved
path. In other cases where there ' is less marked inequality of
pressure on the two poles of the egg the shape is more regularly
ellipsoidal.
The eggs of Birds being commonly exposed to light and to view
they very often show a characteristic colouring, either throughout
the thickness or merely in the outer layer of the shell. In very
458 EMBRYOLO(:‘rY OF THE LOWER VER'.l‘EBRA'l‘ES CH.
.numerous cases the natural selection value of the colouring as a
means of making the egg less conspicuous is obvious. .
In Reptiles the tertiary envelopes resemble those of Birds though
in many cases, as in various Lizards and Turtles, there is no definite
rigid shell. On the other hand there may be a certain amount of lime
deposited in the outer layers of the shell-membrane. The albumen
varies in amount : in Sp}z,e7z0(lo72, it forms only a very thin layer (Dendy,
1899)
In Elasmobranch fishes the egg is again enclosed in a layer of
albumen and this in turn surrounded by a shell. The shell is of a
horny consistency and is frequently rectangular and pillow-shaped.
Characteristic dilfereiiees are found in different genera and species.
Thus in the Skates (Ram) each angle is prolonged so that the egg
Flo. ‘207.——Egg of .\f'cyl/(um, held in position by its four l‘l.‘l.'~‘llI'. lilunu-uts being wound
round a plant. (Fi_<_r1|re l»_\' Kopscli, from The (Jam.i;r£¢[_r/+3:.;\'u/um! //-1'.<:lo-ry.)
has an outline like that of a hand-barrow. In Sag/llz'mn (Fig. 207)
the prolongations become long spirally coiled anchoring filaments:
in Pmlstiurus two short’ prolongations occur at one end while the
other end is simply rounded.
1}‘. MOI)IFICATIONS or THE ENVELOPES AND OTHER ADAPTIVE
MODIFICATIONS OCCURRING DURING THE “EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE
AMPH1BIA.———The Amphibians form a group of Vertebrates which
have taken less or more completely to a. terrestrial existence in their
adult condition. They have not been able to emancipate themselves
entirely from the ancestral aquatic habitat, possibly on account of
the feeble development of the horny outer layer of the epidermis.
They are still as a rule entirely aquatic during the early stages of
their development,the eggs being laid in water and the young animal
passing its larval existence in the water.
In a number of cases, particularly in Anura inhabiting tropical
regions with a well-marked dry season, very interesting adaptations
are found whereby the young animal is enabled to pass a more or
less prolonged period out of the water. In the first type of these
V [II DEVELOPMENTAL ADAPTATION S 459
adaptations we find special modifications of the tertiary envelope
which is normally a simple mass of jelly deposited round the egg.
The first type of such adaptation is exemplified by various species
of If;/locles and by Rana opistltorlon in which the eggs are simply
deposited in free air in damp spots, each surrounded by a transparent
spherical protective shell. In R. opisthoclon (Boulenger, 1890) the
young Frog before hatching develops on the tip of its snout a
small conical protuberance apparently used like the egg-tooth of
Reptiles and the similar organ in Birds to tear open the egg-envelope.
A further interesting adaptive feature. is that the young unhatched
Frog possesses on each side of its body a series of vascular flaps of
skin somewhat resembling the gill-flaps of an Elasmobranch fish and
apparently functioning as respiratory organs.
In a considerable number of tropical Anura the ovidueal secretion
which surrounds the eggs is, at the time of laying, beaten up by
rapid movements of the hind feet of the parents into a fine foam or
froth with numerous entangled air-bubbles. This may be deposited
on the surface of a pool where it floats about like a fleck of ordinary
foam with the developing eggs scattered through it (Paludiwla
fuscomacula/u.). At a particular stage in development a digestive
ferment apparently is secreted, probably by ectodermal gland cells,
which liquefies the jelly and allows the larvae to drop through into
the underlying water.‘ In other cases the mass of foam is deposited
in an excavation in the ground, so situated that rain-water readily
trickles into it (Engystrmza orale), or merely in a damp spot. In the
case of the Japanese 1t’lz.ucoplo.orus (.Polg/pedates) so/Llegelé (Ikeda, 1897)
the b11rrow is made in a bank by the margin of standing water and
after the mass of egg-foam has been deposited the pair of Frogs make
their way out by excavating a tunnel which slopes downwards and
opens near the water’s surface. Here again at the appropriate stage.
of development the jelly liquefies and the. young larvae are carried
down by it into the water.
In the case of Phy/lloznedwsct 11.3/pot-/aonu’rial'£s the process of oviposition was observed by Budgett (1899) in the Gran Chaco. The
eggs are deposited during the night, the female clambering up
amongst the leaves of a suitable plant by the margin of a pool, with
the male on her back (Fig. 208). With their hind legs the. two Frogs
bend the margins of a leaf together so as to form a funnel into which
the eggs are poured together with the fertilizing sperm. The eggs
are enclosed in a mass of firm adhesive jelly which causes the leaf to
1 It is probable that. such ferments play an important part in softening the eggcnvclopes preparatory to hatching in various animals. Thus in Lcpidosircn the
process of hatching is rendered possible by the softening of the egg-shell brought
about apparently by digestive ferment secreted by the ectoderm covering the body
(Graham Kerr, 1900). The same appears to he the case in Telcosts (Wintrebert,
1912). In Xrmbpus amongst Amphibians :1. similar process apparently takes place
and in this case Bles (1905) attributes the formation of the ferment not simply
to the diffuse activity of the cctodcrm cells but to the action of a special “frontal
gland.” It seems not improbable that the formation of such hatching ferments will
be found to occur very generally in aquatic Vertebrates.
460 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
retain its funnel shape. The eggs develop within the jelly up till
Flu. ‘Z08.  _I’/1,:/llunuv/ustt
l1._c/pm:/u_;m.lr£u.l-is, l'e1u.ale
carrying male on her back
during oviposition. (After
Builgttt, 1899.)
contain no egg in their interior? The
eggs are thus protected both above and
below by a thick mass of eggless spheres.
During the later stages of development
the layer of envelope next the surface
of each egg becomes greatly distended
by the accumulation of fluid within it,
the jelly between the eggs meanwhile
diminishing in volume.
with their huge external gills have thus
considerable room in which
freely. Eventually the envelope ruptures
and the larva hatches.
comes to be occupied by a seething mass
of tadpoles, floored and roofed in by a
thick mass of jelly formed by the empty
Eventually——in from 12-24
spheres.
the stage of a tadpole of 9-10 mm. in length.
During this process the jelly apparently
liquefies, until only a thin membranous bag
containin g watery fluid surrounds each embryo.
Eventually the remains of the jelly with its
contained tadpoles trickles downwards into the
water.
of the water has retreated from immediately
below the leaf the tadpoles may still make
their way for a distance of several inches to
the pool by active jumping movements, helped
it may be by a shower of rain.
In the allied I’hg/llomedusa sauvagii, from
the same neighbourhood, a similar mode of
oviposition occurs, though here the nest is
composed of several leaves (Fig. 209). Agar
(1.909) finds in this case that both at the
commencement and end of oviposition there
are laid a large number of spheres of jelly which
'l‘he larvae
to move
The nest thus
hours after the bulk of the larvae have
hatched——the jelly begins to deliquesee
and the larvae drop down with it into
the water.
FM. 209. - -— I‘/lg/ll4ruu;du.w so I’ ('14;/ii,
mass of spawn. (After Agar,
l909J
Similar nesting habits occur in other tropical Hylids, e.g. Phyll0
1 In the eommon I‘-‘rocr j.’u-nu. /nu.-~m'-rm-in. a narent] em it ca wsnles ma be formed
an I l.l y l. y l y
in quantity in the oviduct before eggs begin 10 enter it (Wezel, 1908).
with the normal eggs Agar found 2-3 per cent nl'.s1u:l] eggless capsules.
Interspersed
'l‘hese appear
to be deposited round small solid particles such as fragments of shed epithelium
(Lebrun, 1891).
In C'671.t7'opho7'us, where the left ovary is no longer functional, empty tertiary
envelopes are frequently still formed in the left oviduct (Braus, 1906).
If, as sometimes happens, the margin
vm DEVELOPMENTAL ADAPTA'J.‘IONS 461
I medusa vllterringvli (von Ihering, 1886), H3/la nebulosa (Goeldi, 1895),
Rltacopltorus 're7Jnwardt'£'13(Siedleeki, 1909). In the last mentioned
the eggs are deposited in a mass of foam enclosed in one or several
leaves (Fig. 210). At the appropriate time the central portion of
the mass liquefies and the colourless tadpoles make their way into
this central fluid —«—~ the superficial layer of the mass being hard
and dry. Eventually the lower part of the mass softens and the
_1iq_uid containing the tadpoles trickles out on to the ground where
the larvae are able to continue their development in the smallest
puddles. s
In the second type of such adaptations the eggs or young are
carried about, away from the water, by
one of the parents. In the simplest of
such cases no structural modification of
the parent's body is involved. Thus i_n
A/,3/tes ribstetrwicans the male draws the
strings of eggs out of the cloacal aperture
of the female and loops them round his
thighs-——the portion of oviducal secretion
lying between successive eggs- becoming
highly elastic and gripping the thighs
tightly. Oviposition takes place on land
and the male pays only occasional visits
to the water. When one of these happens
at the appropriate period the. young hatch
in the form of tadpoles while the male
parent resumes his terrestrial habits.
In a number of - cases the transport
of the young by the parent takes place
at a later period, when the tadpole stage
has been reached, the larvae adhmhing to
the back of the male parent and so being
transported from one pool to another
(Fig. 211, A). This habit occurs in
various species of Iflzndrobates and P/b3/U0- p A _
bates (Brandes u. Schoenichen, 1901). 1“‘5,‘,;(,)_:§}g.' "fl£1’"(f)';?’t’f‘;f;El
In the most interesting cases however },,,M,,.,,’ ,p‘.“1‘I;‘f)1t,_\__ ‘(11,;,-W. 5,9,1.
the transport of the eggs or young by the lvvki, 1909-)
parent is associated with the making use
of some particular structural feature of the latter——-either permanent
or specially developed for this purpose- In Rhacophorus reticulatus
(Uriiiitlxer, 1876) the eggs are carried about by the female, adherent
to its ventral surface. In Iig/la goeldivl (Boulenger, 1895) the eggs
adhere to the dorsal surface of the female, only in this case the skin
of the parent responds to the stimulus afforded by the presence of
the eggs and grows up into a slight ledge surrounding them (Fig.
211, B). In Pipe amcricana (Bartlett, 1896) the cloaca of the
female is protruded at the time of oviposition as a large spout-lilce
462 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
structure which projects forwards between the dorsal surface of the
female and the ventral surface of the male. The eggs pass out one
by one through this and are distributed at fairly equal intervals over
the dorsal surface of the trunk of the female. The skin now proliferates actively, growing up so as to form highly vascular partitions
between the eggs, each of the latter coming to be enclosed in a
deep pit. The mouth of this becomes closed in by a dark-coloured
operculum, possibly formed of hardened epidermal secretion. Each
egg is thus enclosed in a little chamber in which it passes through
the early stages of its development, including a modified tadpole
stage, and issues forth eventually (after about 82ldays) as a young
Toad.
In another set of Anurous Amphibians the eggs undergo their
development in a spacious single cavity
  within the parental body. In Rhivzoderma
darwvlml (Jimenez de la Espada, 1872;
Plate, 1897) this cavity is the enlarged
unpaired croaking sac of the male, into
which the eggs, to .the number of from
5 to 15, are swallowed and from which the
  young issue after completing the tadpole
, stage. In the genus Nototrema the brood
cavity is a special large pouch lying
  beneath the skin of the back, lined by
involuted epidermis and opening to the
exterior just in front of the cloacal aperture.
In different species of the genus there is
much difference in the length of time
  during which the developing embryo is
retained within the pouch, the length of
this period being apparently correlated
with the size of the egg and the amount
1.~IG_ 21]__A, M1,, ,,,- [:/,.‘,/g[,_,_ of food-yolk stored within it. Thus in
hates to-'initatz's carrying tad- N. vizarsupiatum there may be as many as
P°‘;";',.?. "B! .f""“‘1f_°f ff’Jt"‘ 200 eggs in the pouch, each measuring
?;':',"',,'1',l.',",,_,.(,'.',i.1_‘ rjV§1;,%_i;"gb' ( er about 5 mm. in diameter (Brandes u.
Schoenichen, 1901), and the young make
their way out as typical tadpoles which doubtless lead for a time
a free aquatic existence before metamorphosis takes place.
In N. omgfemm (Weinland, 1854) the eggs are much larger
(10 mm.) and fewer in number (about 15) and in this case as in the
. allied N. testudinemn and N. fls.s"ipes, which also possess large eggs,
the young go on developing within the pouch until after the period
of metamorphosis.
In Noto/mama. an interesting adaptive feature characterizes the
external gills. These organs are present upon branchial arches I and
II, each consisting of a long slender stalk, which passes at its outer
end into a thin highly vascular membrane formed by the fused and
VIII DEVELOPMENTAL ADAPTATIONS 463
expanded outer ends of the two external gills. The two membranes
so formed, one on each side of the body, are closely applied to the
inner surface of the thin egg-envelope. The outer surface of the
envelope is in turn in intimate contact with the highly vascular
lining of the pouch which sends projecting folds in between the eggs.
We have here clearly an adaptive arrangement to minister to the
respiratory needs of the developing young, analogous with that provided by the allantois of a Reptile or Bird.
It appears somewhat puzzling that the eggs of Nototrema should
come to be contained in a pouch the opening of which is much
smaller than the cross-section of the egg. The probability appears
to be (Boulenger, 1895) that the pouch is formed in response to the
presence of the eggs upon the animal’s back, a ridge growing up
round the eggs as in the case of fig/la. goelrlvli but in this case continuing its growth towards the mesial plane until the corresponding
upgrowths from the two sides meet and completely roof in the pouchlike cavity. Support is given to this explanation by the condition
in N. pg/gznacmn where the opening of the pouch is in the form of a
median longitudinal slit, prolonged forwards as a kind of seamvor
raphe along which the roof of the pouch readily tears and which
presents all the appearance of having been formed by the coming
together of two originally separate lips.
It must never be forgotten that such peculiarities of development
as have been alluded to in the above--mentioned Anura involve
adaptive modifications on the part of the young individual itself.
The most frequent of such modifications is physiological adaptation,
as shown for example by the fact that the transference of the young
individual to water before the normal time is commonly fatal. In
other cases structural adaptations of a more conspicuous kind are
apparent. Thus in 1-’1Ipu. the late tadpole stage, although enclosed
within its cell, develops a broad and highly vascular ta.il which
doubtless serves for 1'espirato1'y and possibly nutritive interchange
with the maternal tissues: again in ]Vutotrema, the external gills
show the peculiar modification already alluded to. The true external
gills are in several cases absent, their function being taken over
by the vascular surface of the yolk, while in such a case as Rana
opz'.s-thodcm. special new respiratory organs have been developed.
In the various modifications of development dealt with in the
‘preceding section we have to do with attempts, so to speak, on the
part of isolated members of a particular group of Vertebrates (Anura)
to lessen the degree of their dependence upon the ancestral aquatic
habitat. Such attempts amongst the existing Amphibia are not
altogether successful: the group as a whole remains chained to a
watery, or at least humid, environment.
The lower Vertebrates which made a real success of terrestrial
existence, emancipating themselves entirely from the aquatic environment, are represented to-day by the Amniota, and it remains now to
study their special modifications of development.
464 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
III. ADAPTIVE MODIFICATIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT or THE
AMNIOTA.-—It is characteristic of many Vertebrates that, associated
with the provision of special arrangements for nourishing the young
individual, the tiI11e of commencing an independent life on its own
account is greatly delayed. In such cases where a considerable
proportion of the whole development takes place within the shelter
of the egg-shell (or of the parental body) we have to do with what is
known as embryonic in eontradistinetion to larval development.
During embryonic development the young individual is free from the
necessity of fighting and lending for itself; it is to a great extent
sheltered from the struggle for existence, and in correlation with
this we find remarkable hypertrophies and modifications of various
parts of the body taking place which in a free state would render
life impossible.
The first of these modifications makes its appearance in the lower,
aquatic, Vertebrates in the form of a pronounced bulging of the
ventral side of the body. In the more primitive holoblastic Vertebrates this is caused by the great thickening of the ventral endoderm
(Fig. 80, E, p. 146), its cells being much enlarged and packed with
granules of yolk. Where this distension of the endoderm cells is most
marked anteriorly there is brought about the tadpole shape of body as
seen in the Ganoids and Lept'do.s7I7vm: or, on the other hand, the
distended region may be situated towards the hinder end as in _l-’et7'0r/nyzon, Uemtodas or the Grymnophiona. In such cases as development proceeds the large yolk-cells go on segmenting, the yolk within
them is gradually used up, and the Inass of endoderm, becoming Inore
and more attenuated, ceases to project beyond the general outline of
the body.
In the meroblastic egg, as has already been shown, the proportion
of living protoplasm amongst the yolk has been reduced to vanishing
point so that except superficially the yolk never segments. Typically
it becomes gradually enclosed in the endoderm which spreads over
its surface. There is thus formed what is known as the yolk-sac, a
structure ‘usually of enormous size as compared with the rest of the
embryo. lt will readily be understood how impossible a free active
existence would be while there is a large yolk-sac present. The
assimilation of yolk and its transport to the actively growing parts of
the embryo are brought about mainly by the rich development of
superficial blood-vessels forming the vitelline network. In typical
Teleosts, ag. Salmonids, the yolk-sac becomes at an early period completely separated from the dorsal part of the endoderm which becomes
the functional gut, the yolk absorption taking place entirely by the
vitelline vessels.
An important point to be remembered is that the vitelline network though primarily nutritive in function is necessarily also
respiratory, gaseous interchange taking place between the blood
circulating in its vessels and the medium which bathes its surface.
The vitelline network is the primary breathing organ in the great
VIII DEVELOPMENTAL AD APTATION S 465
majority of Vertebrates during early stages of development. In cases
where the embryo lies in contact with maternal tissues the respiratory
exchange takes place ultimately, through the thin intervening layers
of fluid or envelope, between the blood circulating in the vitelline
network and that circulating in the oviducal lining of the mother.
In this way all the necessary preliminary conditions are provided
for the evolution of a placenta, and as will be shown later these
conditions are actually taken advantage of in some cases and a
simple yolk-sac placenta is formed.
In the more highly developed types of yolk-sac the splanchnic
mesoderm which surrounds the vitelline vessels sprouts inwards,
forming irregular vascular septa which project into the yolk-sac.
This modification, which brings about a great increase in the
assimilatory surface, reaches such a development in Birds that
towards the end of incubation these ingrowths form an irregular
meshwork of vascular trabeculae traversing the whole of the yolk
right to its centre.
Eventually the yolk, whether in the form of a yolk-sac or a mass
of heavily yolked cells, is enclosed within the ventral wall of the
body. In the holoblastie Vertebrates this comes about as already
indicated by the simple spreading of the blastoderm over the surface
of the yolk so as completely to enclose it. In the Fowl the spreading
of the blastode)rm, and its derivatives the endoderm and mesoderm,
round the yolk is never quite completed, there remaining a small
circular patch at which the yolk is separated from the albumen
only by the remains of the vitelline membrane (of. Fig. 215, am).
Further in the Amniota the region of somatopleure bounding
the coelomic space in which the yolk-sac lies becomes converted
into amnion and serous membrane (of. Fig. 215, A), and is eventually
cast off‘, playing no part iii the formation of the definitive body-wall.
The yolk thus lies outside the limits of the definitive body-wall,
projecting through the umbilical funnel which is bounded all round
by the stalk of the amnion. Eventually, shortly before hatching,
the edges of the umbilical opening are drawn over the yolk-sac in
a manner which will be described later (see p. 475). In llacerta
mlmlpztm in which the yolk-sac is reduced the remains of it are
simply cast off according to Strahl.
The most remarkable of the excrescences adaptive to an
embryonic existence are the organs known as Amnion and Allantois
——portions of the embryonic body which become greatly hypertrophied and perform important functions during embryonic life
but which are eventually, for the most part, shed about the time
of birth or hatching and play no part in the formation of the body
of the adult.
AMNION.—-The most nearly primitive subdivision of the Amniota
is the group Reptilia and we accordingly turn to it and more
especially to the Ohelonia, which have been worked out by Mitsukuri
(1891), to provide a foundation for our description.
VOL. II 2 II
B
Fro. ‘.212.—-Chelonian blastodenns illustrating the development of the amnion.
(A and C after Mitsukuri, 1891.)
A, ('Iemm.ys; 13, tfhelzudm; C, Ulemmys. a, amnion with neural rudiment seen indistinct.1_v through
it; a.u., edge of amniotic flap; a.r, amniotic tunnel; c.g, cephalic groove; f, inconstant fold which is
sometimes present; 31.1‘, gm-‘:trul8I' rim ; m._f, medullary fold ; gm, proamnion with head of embryo showing through it. *
466
CH. VIII DEVELOPMENT OF AMN ION 467
In Chelonia the iirst indication of amnion formation appears at
a stage like that represented in Fig. 212, A. The future body of
the embryo, indicated by the medullary folds, lies flat on the surface
of the egg, extending out all round into the blastoderm. The first
sign of the amnion is produced by thefront end of the medullary
plate coming to dip downwards so as to form a deep slit or groove
(Figs. 212 and 213, c._q) curving tailwards on each side as seen from
above. '1‘he posterior wall of this slit forms the anterior limit of
the head of the embryo while its anterior wall forms the rudiment
of the amnion (Fig. 213, me). The portion of blastoderm in front
of and to the side of the head of the embryo is as yet two-layered,
the Inesoderm not yet having spread into it, and it follows that the
amniotic ru(:1in1ont is also two-layered. This region of the blastoderm,
FIG. 213.——-Sagittal section through the head end of a Chelonian embryo.
(After lVIit'sul<m'i, 1891.)
t.l..(:, anmiot;-iv ml;_-,-u : mgr, cephalic groove; earl, 4'-I.-t.m1r-1'-n1 of medullary plate ; end, oudoderm.
which is still without mesoderm and which in this case forms the
amniotic rudiment, is termed the proamnion. As development
proceeds the head end of the embryo increases in size and as it does
so it dips more and more downwards so as to deepen the cephalic
groove or slit in front of it. While this is going on there takes
place active growth of the ectoderm along the sharp edge of the
amniotic rudiment (Fig. 213, a.e) i.n such a way that this edge
becomes prolonged backwards as a solid flap, covering over the
body of the embryo from before backwards. This amniotic flap
continues to grow tailwards, its growing edge concave and prolonged
backwards on each side (Fig. 212, B, a.e), until it reaches the tail
end of the embryo, so that the whole of the latter is covered in by
an amniotic roof. Nor does the process stop now: it goes on with
the result that there is formed a long tunnel (Fig. 212, C, a.t)
continuous in front with the amniotic cavity, ~23.e. the cavity between
468 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
the body of tlie embryo and the amnion, a11d terminating behind in
an opening bounded above by a concave free edge (a.e)._
An important point to realize is the relation of the amnion to
the cell layers. The first rudiment, as has been indicated, is composed of the two primary layers ectoderm and endoderm, and this
applies also to the lateral prolongations baclnvards of the free edge.
The whole of the amniotic roof however except these marginal parts
is formed at first of solid ectoderm and of ectoderm alone (Fig.
FIG. 214. —-—Diagrammatic transverse sections through Clielonian en1ln‘_\'ns (f-.'!v-m-nz.a/.s-. A, stage
with 2-3 mesoderin segments; B, 6-7 segments) i1ln.s-1.r::t_i'n«,-; tlw rela1..ion.~e of tinamnion. (Based on figures by Mitsnkuri, 1891.)
a.f, amniotic flap; am, amnion: H", I'(:l.u¢lterm; rm/, vndoderrn; _/Zn, fnI.~u-_ amnion: 'nu-.<-, 1m-sods-.rm
segment; N, notoehord; srI., so-ru-amniotzie junction; mm, somatoplenre: spl, sphmuhnupleme; splc,
splanchnocoele.
214, A, a.f). As development goes on the mesoderm extends
between ectoderm and endoderm and then splits into somatic and
splanchnic layers. The result of this is that the endoderm, with its
covering of splanchnie mesoderm, sinks down and no longer projects
upwards on each side into the base of the amnion (Fig. 214, B). The
somatic mesoderm on the other hand does continue to project into
the base of the amnion just as did the endoderm previously (Fig.
214, B). The originally simple ectodermal roof of the amniotic cavity
undergoes a process of splitting from its lateral margin inwards and
as this split extends towards the mesial plane. the amniotic fold of
VIII DEVELOPMENT OF AMNION 469
somatic mesoderm spreads with it. Except along the middle line
the amniotic roof thus becomes double——-the inner roof being formed
of ectoderm internally and somatic mesoderm externally, the outer
roof of somatic mesoderm internally and ectoderm externally. Of
these. two roofs the inner is the amnion (Fig. 214, B, am), the outer
is the false amnion or serous membrane (f.a). The portion which
retains its original condition of being formed of unsplit ectoderm
(sa) may be. called the amniotic isthmus or the sero-amniotic connexion (Mitsukuri). During later stages of development this becomes
reduced to a thin vertical partition in which form it persists throughout, except in the region of the head where it disappears entirely so
that there is here a continuous coelomie space stretching from side
to side between amnion and serous membrane.
’J‘he posterior tubular prolongation of the amniotic cavity becomes
obliterated through part of its extent and in this way the amniotic
cavity becomes completely closed.
The first-formed part of the amnion, lying in front of the head
of the embryo, remains for a time proamniotie in character, '£.e.
composed of ectoderm and endoderm, but eventually the mes'oderm and eoelomie. space spread in between the two primary
layers and the portion ot' the amnion in question comes to resemble
the rest.
As the body of the embryo becomes constricted oil’ from the yolksac the basal edge of the amnion continuous with that of the embryonic somatopleure becomes tucked inwards so that the amnion,
which formed in earlier stages a mere roof, comes to form a
complete envelope. The amniotic cavity is filled with secreted fluid
in which the body of the embryo floats.
BIRDS.-——-The process of amnion formation i11 the Birds shows conspicuous dil‘f'erenees from that which has been described for the more
primitive Reptiles. Two of the chief of these dili'ere.nces seem to be
associated with the fact that the amnion develops relatively later in
the Bird, at a period when the head and anterior body region of the
embryo project prominently above the general level of the blastederm and when the mesoderm has already split into splanchnic and
somatic layers. Correlated with this fact we find (1) that in the
Bird the amniotic rudiment has to grow upwards so as to surround
the projecting head and trunk, and (2) that the upgrowth is composed of somatopleure only.
The amnion may be said to originate as a kind of wall, formed of
a11 upwardly projecting fold of somatopleure, which comes to surround
the actual body of the developing embryo. This wall is not absolutely vertical: it is tilted, or inclined inwards, towards the middle of
the embryonic body. With increasing growth it projects more and
more over the body of the embryo, its free edge bounding a gradually
diminishing opening, through which the body of the embryo is visible
when looked down upon from above. Eventually this opening is
reduced to vanishing point and the body of the embryo is completely
4'70 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
covered in by a double roof formed by the amnion and the serous
membrane.
The amniotic fold does not develop with equal activity throughout its extent. Its growth is much more active anteriorly than elsewhere, with the result that the headward portion of the fold becomes
extended rapidly backwards as an amniotic hood over the head and
anterior end of the body of the embryo (cf. Figs. 233, 235, 236). '.l‘he
last remnant of the amniotic opening is consequently situated quite
near the hind end of the body.
Correlated with the later appearance of the amniotic hood——at
a time when the coelomic cavities are extensively developed—-it is
at no period composed throughout, from side to side, of a simple
layer of unsplit ectoderm as was the case with the Chelonian. It
is of interest to notice however that the sero-amniotic isthmus has
not altogether disappeared, although it never has the breadth that
it has in early stages in the Ohelonian.
The details of amnion formation are readily observable in the
Fowl and have been fully described by Hirota (1894). The process
takes place as follows: The iirst step consists in the appearance of a
crescentic upgrowth of blastodcrm just in front of the head of the
embryo at about the stage of 14 segments. At this period the mesoderm has spread forwards on each side but has not yet extended i11to
the space immediately in front of the embryonic head (proamnion).
Where the mesoderm is present it has split to form the coelome and
owing to this being filled with secreted fluid the somatopleure
bulges up somewhat so as to be conspicuously marked oil’ from the
flat proamniotic area. The amniotic fold makes its appearance just
about the anterior boundary of the. proanmion. As it increases in
height it overlaps the head of the embryo and grows backwards
over it as the amniotic hood (Fig. 233). Into the fold the mesoderm
and coelomic cavities have already penetrated. Where the mesoderm
from the two sides meet in the mesial plane of the hood the two
portions of coelome do not open freely into one another but remain
separated by a septum of mesoderm—-the mcsedermal sero-amniotic
isthmus. At an early period of the backgrowth of the amniotic
hood the ectoderm in the middle of its free posterior edge is
seen to project headwards as a small wedge, the base of which is
formed by the growing edge. As this wedge is carried backwards
by the continued progress of the amniotic edge it leaves behind it
a kind of trail in the form of a continuous line, or rather partition,
of ectoderm connecting the ectoderm on the outer surface of the
amniotic fold with that on its inner surface. This is clearly the
ectodermal sero-amniotic isthmus of the Reptile persisting in a much
attenuated form; the attenuation being due to the fact that the
coelomic spaces have extended much nearer to the mesial plane
than in the corresponding stage of amnion-formation in the Reptile.
Up till about the time when the amniotic hood has completed
its backgrowth its cavity--—-the amniotic coelome—-—remains divided
VIII DEVELOPMENT OF AMN ION 471
into two separate halves by a septum, which in front is purely
mesodermal but throughout the rest of its extent is traversed by
the ectodermal sero-amniotic isthmus. The anterior, purely mesodermal, part of the septum disappears early in the fourth day so
as to make the amniotic coelome continuous from side to side,
but the rest of the septum persists throughout the whole period
of development although its central ectodermal portion becomes
gradually reduced and by the tenth day has completely disappeared.
Towards the end of the second or early in the third day the tail
of the embryo begins to project, bending ventrally and dipping
downwards as it does so. As it does this the tail comes to be hidden
under a projecting amniotic fold precisely as happened at the
head end except that here the coelomic cavity is already completely
continuous across the mesial_ plane there being no trace of a septum
or sero-amniotic isthmus. The free edge of this “tail fold” of the
amnion is, as was that of the “head fold,” concave only here the
concavity is directed headwards. Early in the fourth day the
concave edges of the head and tail folds become continued into one
another at about the level of the hind limb rudiment, so that the
body of the embryo is now surrounded by a continuous amniotic
fold———most highly developed anteriorly where it forms the amniotic
hood, less so in the caudal portion and least of all laterally. The
more or less elliptical opening bounded by this fold, through which
the dorsal surface of the embryo is exposed, gradually shrinks as
the fold grows and eventually, during the first half of the fourth
day as a rule, it becomes obliterated and the amniotic cavity closed.
The true amnion at first closely enshcaths the head and trunk
of the embryo but from about the fifth day onwards watery
amniotic fluid is secreted into its interior so as to form an extensive
water jacket in which the embryo is suspended (Fig. 215). For a
considerable period the embryo is gently rocked to and fro in the
fluid by the slow rhythmic contractions of muscle fibres which
develop in the somatic mesoderm covering the amnion on its
outer surface.
The development of the amnion in the Sauropsida in general is
adequately illustrated by the two types which have been described.
There occur variations in detail. Thus the inequality in the activity
of growth between the anterior and posterior portion_s of the
amniotic fold so marked as a rule may be practically absent
(Chameleons), or it may reach an extreme limit, the posterior
portion of the fold being obsolete and the anterior portion continuing
its backgrowth past the tail end of the embryonic body to form an
amniotic tunnel, as in the Chelonians above described (Sphenodon,
Gannet———S'ula, Puflin—Frate'rcula).‘
ALLAN'1‘oIs.———The allantois may also be conveniently studied in
the Bird. In the Fowl it makes its first appearance as a little clear
‘ Schauinsland , 1906.
472 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
vesicle, projecting from the ventral side of the trunk near its hind
Fm. 215.-—~—Diug1-ams illustrating the arrangement of amnion, allantois, etc., in the Fowl.
(After Lillie, 1908.)
A, fourth da '; B, ninth day. (1.0, amniotic cavity; alb, albumen; all, allantoic cavity; u.ll.st,
allantoic stalk; am, amnion; coal, eoelome ; f.a, false amnion, or serous membrane; sa, seroamniotic
isthmus; spl,splanchnop1eure; v.m, vit.elline membrane; 3/, yolk; 1, outer wall of allantois fused
with serous membrane; 2, inner_wa1lofa1lantois.
VIII ALLANTOIS 473
end (Figs. -239, 240), and serving for the reception of the renal secretion. 'l‘he study of sections shows that the allantois is simply a
pocket of the ventral wall of the gut towards its hind end--correr
sponding exactly with the bladder of an Amphibian. It is thus lined
with endoderm and covered externally with splanchnic mesoderm.
The allantois like the bladder of the Amphibian bulges into the
splanchnocoele. As development goes on the allantois, distended
with fluid, increases in size, projecting on the right or upper side of
the embryo till it comes in contact with the inner surface of the
soniatopleure (Fig. 215, A, all), and with still further growth flattens
out against the somatopleure taking a somewhat 1r_1_ushljopin-likeU
shape. In the case of an independently living airiiiiial such as an
- illlilc. 2l5A.~—-Diagram illustrating the arrangement of amnion, allantois, etc., in the Fowl.
(After Lillie, 1908.)
C, twelfth day. ulb, albumen ; all, allantoie cavity; 3;, yolk.
Amphibian the allantoie outgrowth of the gut can only increase in
size within the restricted space of the splanchnocoele which is already
occupied by the viscera. In the Bird embryo on the other hand
there are available for the growth of the allantois the wide—spreading
extensions of the coelome, on the one hand between amnion and
serous membrane and on the other over the surface of the yolk. The
allantois accordingly spreads out all round towards the limits of this
space (Fig. 215, B). As it does so it loses its rounded vesicular form,
its proximal (Fig. 215, B, 2) and distal walls (Fig. 215, B, 1) approaching one another. The mesoderm covering its outer surface tends to
undergo secondary fusion with that of neighbouring structures. Thus
about the end of- the sixth day it fuses with the adjacent surface of the
amnion. Again towards the time of hatching a similar fusion takes
place with part of the yolk-sac. The most important of these fusions
474 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES 011.
however is that, which commences early in the fifth day, with the
inner surface of the serous membrane. '
At a comparatively early period (during the fifth day) the mesoderm covering the allantois becomes vascular and as the organ
Recoines flattened its proximal or inner and its distal or miter walls
ecome strikingly different as regards their vascular-ity, the outer
wall developing an extremely rich network of capillary blood_-ves§_<_:_s
with very small meshes, while the inner wall possesses merely a
gparse network together--.witl1 the large vessels of supply. This
difference between the two walls of the allantois becomes conspicuous
about the end of the sixth day of incubation in the common Fowl.
The difference is associated with the fact that the distal wall of the
allantois is destined to become the great respiratory organ, taking
over this function from the vascular area of the yolk-sac by which it
is performed during the early stages of development. In correlation
with the more efficient performance of this function the albumen, or
white, as it gradually shrinks in volume and acquires greater density
gizavitates down to the lower side of the egg thus bringing the mushroom-shaped allantois close up to the shell membrane on the upper
side. The process is still further facilitated by the ectoderm of the
serous membrane becoming reduced to a very thin—-hardly distinguishable-—-layer in the region where it is underlain by, and fused
with, the allantois. The capillary network thus comes into very
close relation with the shell membrane and the overlying porous
' shell, and gaseous exchange can readily take place between the blood
circulating in the network and the external atmosphere.
As development goes on the respiratory needs of the embryo
become greater and greater and these are met by the allantois
spreading outwards all round its periphery, so as to provide a greater
and greater respiratory area. During this spreading outwards of
the allantois the three main alla11t(_;ic__ves_sel§ are somewhat retarded
in their growth with the result that each one causes an indentation of
the growing edge of the allantois beyond which the allantois bulges
on each side.
When the growing edge of allantois comes, after about nine days’
incubation, into the neighbourhood of the remaining mass of albumen,
a new phenomenon appears inasmuch as the allantoic margin with
its covering of serous membrane proceeds to grow onwards close
under the shell membrane as a circular fold recalling the amniotic
[old and enclosing the mass of albumen (Figs. 215, B, 215A, 0). l The"
ectodermal lining of the cavity so formed sprouts out into the albumen in the form of irregular projections which become vascularized
from the allantoic mesoderm and no doubt play a part in absorbing
the last remains of the albumen.
By about the end of the second week of incubation the shell
membrane is lined throughout the whole of its extent by the highly
vascular outer wall of the allantois. This remains the breathing
organ until-—a day or two before hatching—the y_gu_ng_chick_’s__l)eak
vm DEVELOPMENTAL ADAi>rxrioy_s 475
/‘=r":“T  _ , _ _
penetrates the air_-space and'\ ulmonary breathmg\ begins. The
-«up-w
all_ant9_i_c circiilation then gradua ffiecoines sluggish and stops, and
eventually by a process of autotomy the allantois is separated from
the body of the embryo and is left behind as the vascular membrane
seen lining the fragments of ‘shell from which a young bird has
hatched. '
ENCLOSURE OF YOLK—SAC WITHIN THE EMBRYONIO BODY.--—As
already indicated thF3fi)1K—:sac~heco'mes eventually (about a couple of
days before hatching in the case of the common Fowl) ,e_nclosed
within the body-wall. The process by which this is brought about
appears to be as follows (H. Virchow). With the growth of the
embryo a great increase takes place in the area over which the
amnion is fused with the proximal wall of the allantois (cf. Fig.
215A, C), the compound and highly muscular membrane so formed
extending eventually almost completely round the yolk-sac. At its
edge it is continued onwards by the somatopleure, this latter terminating round the circular area where the yolk remains exposed. The
yolk-sac is thus contained in a space the wall of which is formed of
the following components in sequence starting from the body of the
embryo : (1) amnion, (2) amnion fused with proximal wall of allantois,
(3) proximal wall of allantois and (4) somatopleure in the region of
the distal pole of the yolk-sac. The proximal portion of this wall,
being formed of amnion, is necessarily continuous with the body-wall
of the embryo at the umbilical opening and further those parts of it
formed from amnion and allantois are highly muscular and contractile. l)uring the later stages of development this wall slowly
contracts and as it does so the yo1k—sac is pushed into the umbilical
opening which closes after it.
_._EV QRIGIN.- QE.S|l11E.A.Ml>IION .——-As regards this question,
which has excited much controversy, the following appears to the
present writer to be the working hypothesis which fits most easily
the facts so far as they are known.
(1) The amnion originated as a fold of l)l€t.'s't0d6’7'?Il« round the
body of the embryo (Fig. 216, A, B).
As has already been shown the amnion arises in this way in
ontogeny in the Reptilia which are generally recognized as being the
most primitive Amniotes. The same holds for the Birds and for
some of the Mammals.
The Mammalia as a group are admittedly descended from ancestors
in which the egg was large and meroblastic as it is in the Reptilia.
This is indicated, apart from other convincing evidence, by the fact
that they still exhibit in ontogeny a well-d_eve_loped though yolkless
_Jt follows then that it iswiiiadniissilile to regard facts
derived from the study of certain mammals in which the mode of
amnion formation during ontogeny is of a‘ different, even though
apparently simpler, type as constituting important evidence in regard
to the phylogenetic origin of the amnion, as has been done in particular by Hubrecht (1895).
vm DEVELOPMENTAL ADAPTATIONS 475
’‘v’?.‘’‘__'_‘ .5 .-.-.4-..»—.~-..~. u-...—oc-no-‘Q
_  _»_M ,_ A _~_ V__ .
penetrates the air-s ace and(g11lgngn,ary ,b(r_e,a_t_hi(ng) her ms. The
allantoic c1rculatioii”t en gradua y ec6i:11ss"lsmggisii*a;’iiH”st'bps, and
eventually._by“a process of autotomy the allantois is separated from
the body of the embryo and is left behind as the vascular‘ membrane
seen lining the fragments of ‘shell from which a young bird has
hatched. ‘
ENCLOSURE or YOLK-SAC WITHIN THE EMBRYONIC BoDY.—~—As
already indi.cated t1i?yo1k?sae"b“eeo‘nies eventually (about a couple of
days before hatching in the case of the common Fowl) _e,ncl_gserl
within__thye_”_(_bo‘dy;wal.l. The process by which this is brought about
appears to be as follows (H. Virchow). With the growth of the
embryo a great increase takes place in the area over which the
amnion is fused with the proximal wall of the allantois (cf. Fig.
215A, 0), the compound and highly muscular membrane so formed
extending eventually almost completely round the yolk-sac. At its
edge it is continued onwards by the somatopleure, this latter terminating round the circular area where the yolk remains exposed. The
yolk-sac is thus contained in a space the wall of which is formed of
the following components in sequence starting from the body of the
embryo : (1) amnion, (2) amnion fused with proximal wall of allantois,
(3) proximal wall of allantois and (4) somatopleure in the region of
the distal pole of the yolk-sac. The proximal portion of this wall,
being formed of amnion, is necessarily continuous with the body-wall
of the embryo at the umbilical opening and further those parts of it
formed from amnion and allantois are highly muscular and contractile. During the later stages of development this wall slowly
contracts and as it does so the yolk-sac is pushed into the umbilical
opening which closes after it.
.,_E mQm:mJmAMmQ§mAs regards this question,
which has excited much controversy, the following appears to the
present writer to be the working hypothesis which fits most easily
the facts so far as they are known. .
('1) The amnion originated as a fold (pf blastoderm round the
body of the embryo (Fig. 216, A, B).
As has already been shown the amnion arises in this way in
gnatggeynypiri the Beptilia which are generally recognized as being the
most primitive Amniotes. The same holds for the Birds and for
some of the Mammals.
The Mammalia as a group are admittedly descended from ancestors
in which the egg was large and meroblastic as it is ‘in the Reptilia.
This is indicated, apart from other convincing evidence, by the fact
that they still exhibit in ontogeny a well-dey_e_lgpe,,d‘_,thgugh yolkless
t follows then that it is inadmissible to regard facts
derived from the study of certain mammals in which the mode of
amnion formation during ontogeny is of a‘ different, even though
apparently simpler, type as constituting important evidence in regard
to the phylogenetic origin of the amnion, as has been done in particular by (Hubrecht (1895).
on. V11‘ ‘EV/OLUTION” OF AMNLION 477
(2) The amniotic fold consisted at first of yolk-sac wall, the body
of the embryo being forced down into the yolk-sac as it increased in
size, possibly by the resistance of the rigid protective shell associated
with the assumption of a terrestrial habit.
The tendency towards predominant development of the anterior
portion of the amniotic fold may probably be correlated with the
predominant growth and ventral llexure of the head end of the body
which would cause it to dip down into the yolk-sac particularly
markedly.
The delay in the appearance of mesoderm in the region of the
proamnion may similarly have been originally due to the pressure of
the downwardly flexed head,
(3) The yolk-sac with its richly developed superficial network of
blood-vessels was the respiratory organ of the embryo at this early
phase in the evolution of the Amniota. It follows that the portion of
it nearest the shell, and therefore in the most favourable position for
carrying on the breathing function, would tend to increasein area
and would therefore bulge more and more over the body of the
embryo (amniotic fold, Fig. 216, A, B, gt. f) so as eventually to utilize
the whole of the inner surface of the shell.
(4) The egg being new terrestrial the excretory poisons produced
by the activity of the already functional renal organs could no longer
pass away by diffusion into the surrounding water. It would obviously be disastrous were they to accumulate in the space round the
embryo and they therefore had to be retained within the body. This
led to the great and precocious enlargement of the receptacle for
these excretory poisons, already present in the pre-anmiote ancestor,
the allantoic bladder.
(5) This precocious enlargement of the allantois in turn necessitated the early increase in size of the coelomic cavity to accommodate it.
(6) The allantoic wall-—-a part of the gut-wa1l——was naturally
vascular, like the rest of the gut-wall, and with its great increase in
size it would come in contact with the inner surface of the somatopleure. But as soon as it did this respiratory exchange would take
place between its b1ood—-—through the substance of the somatopleure
——and the medium outside. The allantois would thus constitute a
new, though at first small, breathing organ.
(7) As the embryo grew its respiratory needs would grow also.
Meanwhile of its two respiratory organs the one—~-the yolk-sac-—
would be shrinking in size and therefore diminishing in efficiency
while the other—the allantois———would be increasing in size as it became
more and more distended. This would lead to the supplanting of the
yolk-sac by the allantois as the main respiratory organ. As the
allantois increased in size it would tend to extend in the position of
greatest respiratory efliciency, 13.6. close under the somatopleure.
(8) With the development of the allantois and coelome the
splanchnopleure would be freed from the somatopleure and the
4'78 llll\lliI'i-1r().I40(iiY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
upgrowth round the body of the embryo-—the amniotic fold- —would
now become purely somatopleural (Fig. 216, C).
(9) As soon as the amniotic fold extended so far over the body
of the embryo as to roof it in completely it would at once assume a
new importance in protecting the delicate body of the embryo,
enclosed wi.thin it as in a Water jacket, from the dangerous jars and
shocks incidental to a terrestrial existence. In correlation with the
importance of this function of the closed amnion we might expect to
find a tendency for its closure to be accelerated. As a matter of fact
i.t will be found that in various mammals, including man, the amniotic cavity is closed from the
beginning. ,
——-In many different groups of animals the embryonic phase of development is passed within
the oviduct (uterus) of the mother. The advantages of this are obvious, for not only is the
young individual sheltered to a great extent from
the struggle for existence, as it is even Within
an egg-shell, but it forms for the time being as it
were part of the body of a complete adult
individual with its full equipment for holding its
own in the struggle. It is in the group Mammalia amongst Vertebrates that viviparity reaches
its highest development, as the final touch in
their adaptation to a terrestrial existence, but
it is of interest to notice that the phenomenon
occurs, in a less highly elaborated form, here and
,.~,(,_ 21;_.---,.,-.H..._,__,.m.,“ Ur there amongst the lower Vertebrates-——Fishes,
A(?(I../If/H'II..s‘Hi5llClOSl1lg‘ Amphibians, and Reptiles.
t‘V"°«‘=’%"- (The ‘mi’ Thus amoncr the Elasmobranch fishcsl there
sious of the scale rc- _ ° . .
I_n.emt millimetres.) are numerous genera in which the early stages
1Il development are passed through in the uterus.
In such cases we find in the first place a well-marked tendency
towards the reduction of the protective egg-envelopes which are
no longer necessary. Thus there is found, as a rule, during early
stages a typical set of egg-envelopes, but the horny shell is very thin
and weak as compared with that of oviparous Elasmobranchs and as
development goes on (embryo of 7-8 cm. in Acantluias) it becomes still
thinner, breaks up, and disappears.
A curious feature in such cases is the tendency for a group of
eggs to be enclosed in a common set of envelopes instead of each egg
having its own set. Thus in Acanthvlas (Fig. 217) there are commonly
from two to six eggs enclosed in a common shell; in Trygonomvine
two or three, in It/uinoliatus seven or eight.
The embryo within the uterus is still nourished primarily by the
yolk in its yo1k_-sac. This primitive mode of nourishment has not
1 See Gudger, 1912.
IV. Vrvrmnrrr IN THE LOWER VERTEBRATES.Vin VIVIPARITY IN FISHES 479
yet been replaced by a process of Etbsorpiiloll from the uterine wall as
is the ease in the Mammalia. But the uterine wall already plays a
part though a minor one in providing food material for the young
individual by its glandular activity. The beginnings of this are seen
in the albuminous fluid enclosed within the egg-shell, and it is
possible that the elongated gill-filaments of the embryo play a part
in absorbing nourishment from this. A further development consists
in the secretion of an abundant “uterine milk ” which is drawn into
the pharynx through the spiracles by precocionsly occurring movements like those of respiration and
passed on into the digestive tract.
In accordance With its glandular activity the lining of the uterus
frequently undergoes an increase
of area by growing out into villi
or trophonemata (Wood -Mason
and Alcock, 1891). In the StingRays specially enlarged trophonemata may be drawn into the
pharyngeal cavity of the embryo
through its greatly dilated spiracles
so that their secretion reaches the
alimentary canal of the young fish
directly (Fig. 218).
During the later stages of intrauterine development there usually
comes about an intimate relationship between the surface of the
yolk-sac and that of the uterine
lining and in associ.ation with this
there is found 3' Varying degree of Fro. 218. -—-Portion of uterus of Pterospecialization Of the uterine llI1- plataca. 7aiz:ru:ra slit open to show an
ing (Ercolani, 1879; Widakowich, f"":?"3'r°.‘l":t')“.
1907). This latter may be smooth ,:,,l,p1(Ai1';,.,;|’{, 1g._;9i:)
(Squatina angelus, Notitlomus cine
mas), or project into longitudinal folds so as to give increase of
surface (Acantlvias oulgamls, .«S'c3/mnus lz'c}m'a), or grow out into
papillae or trophonemata (Torjoeolo, Pteroplataea).  finally it may
develop folds which interlock with grooves on the surface of the
yolk-sac, the uterine and yolk-sac surfaces being iii the most
intimate contact so as to constitute physiologically a definite yolksac placenta (0'cm'chcm3as glcmcus, Mustelus laemls, etc.). _ p
Amongst the Teleostean fishes viviparity occurs occasionally,
in at least half-a-dozen different families; the Cyprinodontidae,
Seorpaenidae and Embiotocidae furnishing the greatest number of
cases. They are particularly numerous amongst the Embiotocidae
and Scorpaenidae of the western coast of North America (Eigenmann, 1894). i
480 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
The eggs are retained in the ovary, either in the follicle, or in
the cavity of the ovary; more rarely in the dilated oviduct or uterus.
The developing embryo may depend for its nourishment upon the
yolk (Scorpaenidae); it may absorb nourislnnent by the surface of
the yolk—sae which grows out into villi (Anableps); or the nutritive
secretion of the ovarian wall may be taken into the alimentary
canal and there digested (Embiotocidae).
Among the Amphibia true viviparity is rare. A well-marked
case occurs in Salmnanrlm atm (Wiedersheim, 1890). Here a large
number (40-430) of eggs pass into the oviduct when breeding is about
to take place but of these all except the one (in rare cases as many
as four) next the eloaeal opening Simply break down forming a kind
of broth which fills the oviducal cavity. The embryo nourishes
itself, after it has used up its own yolk supply, by gulping down and
digesting this fluid, which contains not merely the yolky debris of
disintegrated eggs, but also large, quantities of red blood corpuseles
derived from extensive haemorrhages of the uterine wall.
Perhaps the most striking feature of the Mammalia is the
ex't1‘e1ne degree of adaptation which they typically show to an
intra-uterine mode of development in which the embryo leads a
parasitic existence attached to the uterine lining of the mother. In
accordance with this the external ectoderm of the blastocyst becomes
modified to form organs of attachment which eventually, in the
region of the yolk-sac and more especially in the region of the
allantois, become vascularized and elaborated i11to the complex
nutritive and respiratory organs named placentae. This being so,
it becomes of much interest to enquire whether amongst those
Amniota which are lowest in the scale of evolution——the Reptiles——
there are any foreshadowings of the type of adaptation to intra-ute.rine
development found in the Mammalia. Probably numerous such
cases exist but at the present time, with our extremely imperfect
knowledge of Reptilian development, we are acquainted with only
a-few. The most interesting of these is that of the Italian Lizard
Ohalcides ttrlidactylus (Seps clmlcides). Giacominfs description of
this (1891) may be said to form the foundation of what will one day
probably form an important chapter in Vertebrate embryology.
The eggs, which measure about 3 mm. in diameter, are first found
in the oviducts early in May, while the first young are born towards
the end of July, the period of gestation thus being between one and
two months.1 The eggs become spaced out along the oviduct or
uterus, so as to give it a moniliform appearance, each egg being
arranged with its apical pole towards the mesometrium. At about
the Iniddle'of gestation the “egg” presents the appearance shown
in Fig. 219, A, the whole forming a kind of blastocyst about 7 mm.
in diameter. The outer surface is formed by the ectoderm of the
serous membrane. Within the serous membrane there can be seen
the allantois with transparent, richly vascular, wall and the yolk
1 About sixty-five days according to Mingazzini.
vm EMBRYONIC ADAPTATIONS IN REPTILES 481
szw, more opaque than the allantois and already much smaller than
the latter as seen in surface view. The edges of the allantois and the
mushroom-shaped yolk-sac fit closely together and between them is the
body of the embryo contained in the amnion. As in other Sauropsidans or Prototherian Mammals the yolk-sac lies on the embryo’s left,
the allantois upon its right—-upon the side, in this case, next the
mesometrium. As development proceeds the exposed area of yolk-sac
becomes gradually reduced by the encroachment of the allantois.
The latter however remains
merely in contact with the
edge of the yolk-sac and never
comes to "surround it. Over
the yolk-sac area there remain
visible, for a long time the
remains of the vitelline membrane (cf. Bird). Both allantoic
and yolk-sac regions of the
surface develop placental arrangements, the former being
physiologically the more important of the two:
The allantoic placenta is
already becoming apparent at
the stage shown in Fig. 219, A,
in the form of an elliptical area
at the mesometrial pole which
adheres to the uterine lining by
means of numerous little projections which interlock with
similar projections on a corresponding uterine area. As de-      L up
velopment goes on the egg             
assumes an elongated shape           
(Fig 219,  The whole of FIG. 219.--“ Egg": of ()'[urlcides trzdactylus.
the uterine lining in contact (After (‘”“’°"i“"" 1891')
with the outer surface of the A, 7 mm. in diaineter, showing yolk-sac (3/.3), allan
“ n - - - . _ - tois (all), and foetal portion of allantoic placenta (pl);
ego ls Provlded “nth 3' nch B, 15-16 mm. in longest.-diameter, seen from apical
O
capillary network  C1033 pole,slm\\'in;.:I'«n-1:11portionufnllauitoic pla.centa(pI).
beneath the uterine epithe
lium and here and there insinuating itself between the epithelial
cells. Over the allantoic placental area the maternal projections
now form undulating ribbons attached along one edge and free
along the other. On the surface of these ribbons the uterine epithelium instead of being flattened as it is elsewhere is columnar
and has a glandular appearance. With the r.il)ho11-like projections
just mentioned there interlock the somewhat similar projections of
the foetus. These are also covered with columnar epithelium close
under which lies a rich capillary network. The latter is not confined
482 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
to the actual placental projections for even the smooth parts of the
surface over the allantoic area are provided with an extraordinarily
rich network of capillaries which show an even more marked
tendency than those of the uterus to penetrate into the epithelium.
Over the smooth area the foetal and maternal surfaces are in
intimate contact, so that the two capillary networks lie parallel and
close to one another, separated only by two very thin epithelial
membranes. In the region where foetal and maternal projections
interlock chinks are apparent between the two in which there
appear to be traces of a fluid 1naterial—-—probably nutritive and
secreted by the maternal epithelium which as already mentioned has
in this region a glandular appearance.
The. yolk-sac placenta is less highly developed. In the region of
the centre of the yolk-sac flattened ridge-like projections also appear
which interlock with corresponding uterine projections and become
vascularized as the mesoderm spreads beneath them. Between the two
surfaces is the remnant of vitelline membrane but this gradually disappears so that foetal and maternal surfaces come into intimate contact.
* (7/utlcides ((}(m.gg/lus) ocellatus, another Italian lizard, is also
viviparous and in it occur similar though less marked adaptations to
viviparity (Griacomini, 1906). Here in the later stages of gestation
the general arrangement of the foetal envelopes resembles that in
0’. t9~'o'dwctg/lus. The allantoic region of the foetal surface is smooth
and possesses a rich capillary network. It lies in immediate contact
with the uterine lining, which in this region is covered with very
thin flattened epithelium overlying an extremely rich network of
maternal capillaries.
.The portion of uterine lining in relation with the vitelline region
of the foetal surface is less richly vascular, is covered with thicker
epithelium of vacuolated cells with large nuclei, and is thrown into
low folds which interlock with corresponding folds of the foetal
surface so as to form an incipient yolk-sac placenta. The foetal
epithelium of this region is thickened and in places columnar and
appears to have an absorbent function. As in 0. tmldactg/lus remains
of membrane are to be seen for a time between the foetal and
maternal surfaces in this region.
To sum up, we find in Chalcicles ocellatus a less advanced stage
of adaptation to intra-uterine development than in C’. tmidactylus.
Probably similar conditions will be found in various other viviparous
Lizards as e._q. in the Australian Tmcltysaurus and T'il'iz1ua scincoides
(0'ycloclus botidccerti) (Haacke, 1885).
In the Blind-worm (Angwis fm_q'il'is) and in the Viper (Vipem)
and Smooth snake (C'oronella austrriaqa) viviparity also occurs but
here in a still more definitely incipient form—a thin shell persisting
throughout development and the foetal envelopes and uterine lining
remaining practically unmodified.
Thus in the three sets of Reptiles above mentioned we see three
steps in the evolution of viviparity:
VIII EMBRYONIC ADAPTATIONS IN REPTILES 483
(1) the mere retention of the egg within the uterus, the shell
still remaining and no intimate relations being developed between
foetal and maternal tissues (Angwis, Vipera, Uoronella),
(2) the rupture at an early stage and eventual disappearance of
the shell, and the coming into intimate relations of foetal and
maternal tissues, both becoming highly vascular and there being an
attempt at the formation of a yolk-sac placenta (C'halc7Ides ocellatus),
and (3) the development of an allantoic placenta (0. tridactylus).
LITERATURE
Agar. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1909.
Bartlett. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1896.
Bles. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., xli, 1905. ‘
Boulenger. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lond., xii, 1890.
Boulenger. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1895.
Brandes und Schoenichen. Abhandlungen Naturforscli. Gesell. Hallo, xxii, 1901.
Brauer. Zool. Jahrb. (Anat.), xii, 1899.
Braus. SB. kgl. preuss. Akad. Wiss., 1906.
Budgett. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., xlii, 1899.
Dandy. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., xlii, 1899.
Eigenmann. Bull. U.S. Fish Commission, xii (1892), 1894.
Ercolani. Mem. Ac-cad. Bologna (Sez. Sci. Nat.), x 1879.
Espada, Jimenez de la.. An. Soc. Espafiola do Historia Natural, i, 1872.
Giacomini. Monitore zoologico italiano, ii ; and Arch. ital. Biologic, xvi, 1891.
Giacomini. Mem. Accad. Bologna (Scz. Sci. Nat.), Ser. 6, iii, 1906.
Goeldi. Prov. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1895.
Gudger. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, xxv, 1912.
Giinther. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), xvii, 1876.
Haacke. Zoo1.Anz. viii,1885.
Hirota. Journ. Coll: Sci. Tokyo, vi, 1894.
Hubrecht. Verh. Akad. Amsterdam, 2de Sect., 1895.
von Ihering. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (5), xvii 1886.
Ikeda. Annot. Zool. Japonenses, i, 1897. ,
Kerr, Graham. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., B, cxcii, 1900.
Lebrun. La Cellule, vii, 1891.
Lillie. The Development of the Chick. New York, 1908.
Mitsukuri. Journ. Coll. Sci. Tokyo, iv 1891.
Plate. Vcrh. Deutsch. Zool. Ges., Kiel: 1897.
Schauinsland. Hertwig1sbHa.n(lbuch der Entwicklungslehre, I. Jena, 1906.
Siedlecki. Biol, Centra latt, xxix, 1909.
Virchow, H. Inteiinat. Beitragti zur wiss. Medizin, I, 1891.
Weinland. Arch. . Anat. u. ’ iys. 185-1.
Wetzel. Arch. Entw. Mcch., xxvi,,1908.
Widakowich. Zeitschr. wiss. Zool., lxxxviii, 1907.
Wiedersheim. Arch. mikr. Anat., xxxvi, 1890.
Wintrebert. C. R. Soc. Biol. Paris, lxxii, lxxiii, 1912.
Wood-Mason and Alcock. Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond., xlix, 1891.
CHAPTER IX
SOME OF THE GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATING
TO THE EMBRYOLOGY OF THE VERTEBRATA
IN the course of the preceding chapters many of the general principles
of vertebrate embryology will have made themselves apparent: the
present chapter will deal shortly with some others of these principles
which seem to require special notice.
(1) THE ONTOGENETIC EVOLUTION or THE ZYGOTE INTO THE
COMPLETELY FORMED INDIVIDUAL.—Tl1e Vertebrate commences its
individual existence as a zygote— a single ce1l——in which the
specific characteristics, derived from the paternal and maternal
ancestors, are already present though not recognizable. That
this latter statement is accurate is demonstrated by such a fact
as the following. The pelagic fertilized eggs of different species
of Teleostean fishes show no trace of the specific features which
characterize the adults. Such distinguishing features as are present
and enable a specialist to identify them are mere differences in
size, amount of yolk, colour of oil globule and so on, and have
nothing to do with adult characteristics. Yet if a selection of such
eggs are allowed to develop together under a homogeneous set of
environmental conditions each is found gradually to unfold the
complete array of characteristics which distinguish its own kind.
As the various zygotes have developed under the same identical set
of environmental conditions it follows that the differences which
gradually become apparent cannot be due to the moulding influence
of external conditions: they must have been already present though
in invisible form in the zygote.
It follows further that the evolution of the zygote into the adult
is in the main not a process of acquiring greater and greater complexity, in the sense of acquiring new properties, but rather of the
loca1iza_tion—the segregation—of special peculiarities in particular
portions of the individual, so that these portions assume a, specific
character and become recognizable as definite tissues or organs.
The peculiarities were there to begin with, but they were diffuse and
therefore unrecognizable—somewhat in the same way as the various
484
CH. Ix ONTOGENETIC EVOLUTION 485
colours of the spectrum are present in ordinary “ white” light but are
invisible until they are sifted out from one another by the action of
a prism.
The lesson learned from the developing pelagic zygote——that in
its case the full equipment of the complete individual is provided
from internal sources——-is one which should ever be borne in mind.
It makes it- easier to realize that in other cases, where the developing
organism exists in a less homogeneous environment and where it has
to fend for itself, characters impressed upon it directly by the
environment, however conspicuous, are still superficial as compared
with the really fundamental characters already present in the
zygote.
The course of ontogenetic development from the zygote stage
involves two main processes, (1) increase in bulk accompanied by
the assumption of a multicellular condition, and (2) differentiation
of parts 73.6. the segregation, into localized portions of the living
substance, of peculiarities which were in the zygote distributed without definite arrangement. The topographical differentiation of the
developing embryo does not necessarily keep exact pace with the
subdivision into cells. Thus in Amplviomus the egg appears to be
still homogeneous throughout up to the time when it has segmented
into 8 or even 16 blastomeres for even at this stage a blastomere isolated
from its neighbours experimentally may go on for a time pursuing
the same course of development as it would have done were it a
complete zygote. In other cases, as appears to be the rule in the
Frog, the first step in segregation—-the segregation of characters
belonging to the right and left halves of the body into corresponding
hemispheres of the egg—-would appear to take place in the zygote
stage 7I.e. before the appearance of the first cleavage furrow.
The progressive segregation of specific characters in the various
parts of the developing individual is beautifully brought out in the
case of various invertebrates by the elaborate studies on “ Cell
lineage,” some of which have been fully described in Vol. I.
The animal individual lives its life under a particular set of
environmental conditions, constituted by the external medium——
water or air—with its other living inhabitants: the latter play
an important part, it may be by such comparatively simple and direct
methods as by affecting the composition of the external medium, it
may be by far more complex and obscure influences due to biological
inter-relationships. The individual is able to go on living because
of its organization and its living activities being fitted, in the most
intimate manner, into the particular set of conditions which constitute its environment.
So also with the various parts of the body—organs, tissues,
individual cells —of the young developing individual. Each lives
amidst an environment of extreme complexity and of perfectly
definite type of complexity, conditioned by the nature of the body
of which it forms a. portion and by the character of the parts of the
486 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
body which are in proximity to it. Its living substance is everywhere bathed by——and no doubt intimately adapted to life in--an
internal medium, watery fluid laden with the products of metabolism
of the living substance as a whole. The differences in function of
the various organs and tissues necessarily involve difi“erences in their
metabolic activity and therefore differences in the chemical nature
of the contributions which they make to the complexity of the
internal medium as Well as differences in the substances which they
. withdraw from the internal medium for their own needs.
Physiologists recognize that changes in the constitution of the
internal medium play an important part in exciting and controlling
vital activity.‘ In the ordinary life of the animal important examples
of such influence are aiibrded by changes in the activity of the
normal function of an organ, as for instance when the pancreas
secretes actively in response to the presence in the internal medium
of a special substance secreted by the intestinal wall when stimulated
by food material. Other examples are afibrded by changes in growthaetivity-—as of the skin in response to a change in the amount of
substance secreted by the thyroid, or of the mammary gland in
response to the presence of substances produced by the metabolic
activity of the foetus.
There is no reason to doubt that the living cells and tissues and
organs of the embryo are similarly adapted to and influenced by the
constitution of the internal medium, and if this be so the influence
in question must play an important part i11 development. A possible
example is aflbrded by the experimental result that ‘the grafting of
the developing optic cup of an Amphibian embryo into near proximity
to ectodermal tissue (such as the pigment-layer of the retina, the wall
of the brain, the olfactory epithelium, the external ectoderm of the
head or trunk) is apt to induce that ectoderm to develop into a lens
(Bell, 1907). Such influence upon one portion of embryonic substance by another portion in its neighbourhood may well be exercised
through chemical or other changes produced by the specific metabolism of the latter in the internal Inedium in its neighbourhood.
A corollary to the consideration outlined above, which has an
important bearing upon much work in experimental embryology,
is that it is unwise to place reliance upon the mode of development of an organ-rudiment being normal, unless its environment
is normal.
(2) CELLULARIZATION or THE ZYGOTE: CELLULAR CONTINUITY
AND DIsCoNTINU1'1‘Y.—-Protoplasm being a soft semi-fluid substance a
particle of it, as it increases in volume during the process of growth
which is associated with normal metabolism, would soon reach a
mechanically unstable condition, in which retention of its characteristic form, or even cohesion, would be impossible. In nature a
corrective to this is provided by the protoplasm undergoing fission.
In the Protozoa the products of this fission normally break apart and
‘ For their bearing upon evolutionary change see Parker (1909).
IX ONTOGENETIC EVOLUTION: CELL-DIVISION 487
lead an independent existence, while in the Metazoa the subdivision
is less complete and the growing mass of living substance continues
to exist as a coherent individual. The physiological advantages of
subdivision of the individual body into cellular units is apparent.
It renders possible the intercellular deposit of rigid skeletal materials
which act as a support to the organism as a whole: it facilitates
localization of function and enables blocks of units specialized for
particular functions to be transferred d11ring ontogeny to the positions
in which they will be most useful: it enables other units to move
hither and thither, either by their own activity or by being swept
along in a circulating stream of fluid, to wherever they are specially
needed in the course of the ordinary vital processes: and it is of
enormous importance in relation to attacks upon the organism from
without, whether by limiting the area of injury to comparatively
small tracts of living substance or by enabling portions of the living
substance specialized for defence to be mobilized and ready to concentrate at the point of attack.
Modern science impresses upon us the. importance of regarding
the individual not merely as an aggregation of cells and organs, but
rather as a mass of living substance imperfectly subdivided up into
cells and organs: imperfectly because each cell and each organ is
inextricably linked up in the living activity of the whole individual.
It brings to our notice numerous tissues in which the actual living
substance of the constituent cells is linked up by intercellular bridges
of protoplasm: it tells us of particular cases of developing embryos
where similar intercellular continuity is apparent. The question is
thus raised: are we correct in our belief that actual complete separation of cells takes place as a general rule when they undergo fission
during ontogeny? More especially is it really the case that the
individual blastomeres of the segmenting egg become completely
separated from one another: is it not rather the case that the
apparently complete separation is only apparent, that the individual
blastomeres remain continuous through fine protoplasmic bridges:
and that cases of intercellular continuity observed in the adult are
merely expressions of the fact that such bridges persist throughout
the whole period of development ?
That the latter is really the case has been held by various
workers and supported particularly strongly by Sedgwick (1895,
1896). It will however have been gathered by the reader from
Chapter I. that such a view is in the opinion of the present writer
not tenable. The fact that the blastomeres of a segmenting
egg tend to take a spherical form, or at least to be bounded
by convex surfaces, seems by the ordinary laws of surface tension
to indicate that these blastomeres are not continuous with
one another. Continuity of substance between the cells of the
embryo or adult is therefore when it occurs a secondary and not a
primary phenomenon. At the same time the present writer’s
observations lead him to agree with Sedgwick that such intercellular
488 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES 011.
continuity ‘of protoplasm is much more widely spread than is
generally recognized.
(3) YOLK. —- Theoretically the most primitive type of zygote
should from the beginning be able to absorb food for itself. As an
actual fact however the zygote is provisioned for a shorter or longer
period by the highly nutritious fat and proteid, in the form of yolk
which is stored up in its cytoplasm.‘ With increasing specialization
the amount of this store becomes greater and greater so as to
lengthen the period during which the young individual is provisioned
and freed from the necessity of working for its own living. A good
example of a high degree of such specialization amongst Vertebrates
is afforded by the relatively huge egg of the Ostrich.
It has of course to be borne in mind that the degree of specialization in this direction is to be estimated not merely by the absolute
amount of yolk present but still more by the relative amount of yolk
in proportion to protoplasm. Thus two eggs may be described as
equally richly yolked although very different in size provided that the
proportion of yolk to protoplasm is similar in the two cases. In
correlation with this we find that a group characterized by heavily
yolked eggs may evolve in the direction of producing more and more
numerous, and therefore necessarily smaller, eggs. Good examples
of this are seen in the Teleostean fishes where the eggs may be
produced in enormous numbers and of very minute size although
still retaining a proportionately large supply of yolk.
In C. Rabl’s discussions of his “ Theory of the Mesoderm ” (1889)
an important place is taken by repeated losses and re-acquisitions of
yolk during the phylogeny of the Vertebrata. Rabl arranges
Cyclostomes, Elasmobranchs, Ganoids, Amphibians, meroblastic
“ Prota1nniota” and Mammals, in a linear series, and concludes
that Ganoids and Amphibians have undergone a diminution of yolk
and have therefore reverted to the holoblastic condition; that meroblastic Protamniota have re-acquired a large amount of yolk and
have therefore reverted to the meroblastic condition; and that
finally Mammals have lost their yolk and again become holoblastic.
In the opinion of the writer there is no sufiicient justification for
any one of these assumptions except the last. There is, as is well
known, definite evidence to show that Mammals are descended from
ancestors with large and heavily yolked eggs and that the small size
and practically yolkless character of their holoblastic eggs are
secondary acquirements. In this case the loss of yolk has brought
in its train profound changes in the early processes of development
but of such there are no signs in those other cases in which llabl
supposes loss of yolk to have taken place. It must also be remembered
that in the Mammal there is an obvious physiological reason for
the loss of yolk——namely that the food material needed during the
development of the embryo is provided from the tissues of the mother.
1 For a detailed account of the development of the yolk in the egg of one of the
lower Vertebrates (Proteus) see J orgensen (1910).
Ix YOLK 489
On the recapitulation hypothesis the segmentation and other
early stages of ontogeny represent ancestral evolutionary stages
common to all Vertebrates. The differences to be observed between
such stages in different members of the group are consequently not
to be looked on as ancestral but rather as due to the influence of
disturbing secondary factors. Of these by far the most important is
the presence of the particles of yolk, this dead substance clogging
and retarding the living activity of the egg protoplasm. 'l‘he extent
to which it does this in any particular region of the egg is roughly
proportional to its relative amount as compared with the living
protoplasm in that portion of the egg. The yolk is as a rule of
higher specific gravity than the protoplasm. Correlated with this it
tends to be in proportionally greater amount in the lower parts of’
the egg than in the apical part, with the result that the processes of
cell division and of development generally are relatively more slowed
down in these lower portions———in extreme cases brought to a full
stop——-by its retarding influence. Typical examples of this are seen
in the holoblastic but unequally segmenting eggs of the ordinary
Amphibia. In this case it is possible by replacing experimenta‘lly
the action of gravity by a more potent force (by centrifugalizing the
eggs) to concentrate the yolk still more than is natural iii the lower
hemi_sphere with the result that the egg is now converted into a
meroblastic one (0. Hertwig) the lower hemisphere being unable to
segment. On the other hand by inverting the egg and so allowing
the yolk granules to settle down towards the apical pole under the
influence of gravity it is possible to cause the segmentation furrows
to start from the abapical pole and spread towards the apical.
The influence of yolk upon the gastrulation process will have
been realized from the perusal of Chapter II.: it is well illustrated by the series Amplmlowus (Fig. 18), Petromg/zon (Fig. 23),
Rama (Fig. 25), Lepirlosiren (Fig. 21), II;/pogeoplzxis (Fig. 27) and
Torpedo (Fig. 28). Put in a single sentence it may be said to
consist above all in the gradual subordination of the process of
invagination to those of overgrowth and delamination. In the
succeeding stage it makes itself apparent more particularly in the
modification of the mode of origin of the mesoderm, the outgrowth
of hollow enterocoelie pouches being replaced by the delamination of
a solid mass or sheet.
The storage of yolk carries with it not merely the modifications
just indicated in the processes of segmentation and_ gastrulation. Its
influence becomes retrospective and affects even preceding stages
during the growth of the intra-ovarian egg. This is shown more
especially by the precocious concentration of yolk in that portion of
the egg which will later become endodermal. Thus is the telolecithal
condition brought about and telolecithality itself is seen to be really
a foreshadowing of a particular adaptive feature of later stages of
development (p. 183).
In examining sections of later stages of Vertebrate embryos in
490 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
which the eggs are rich in yolk it is readily seen that there are
conspicuous differences between different parts of the e1nbryo’s
tissues in regard to the yolk contained in their cells, for example
endodermal structures are frequently marked out by larger yolk
granules which cause them to stain more deeply with yolk-staining
dyes. The condition of the yolk in a tissue may indeed give a
useful hint as to the cell layer to which it belongs and as a matter of
fact evidence of this kind has played a conspicuous part in many
embryological discussions. '
It is important to bear in mind however the physiological
significance of the character in question. It appears to be closely
related to the metabolic processes in the tissue concerned. As a
given tissue in a yolky embryo goes on with its growth and
development its yolk is gradually used up, a necessary preliminary
being its breaking down into fine particles easily assimilable.
Tissues or cells undergoing active growth and multiplication have
their yolk in this fine-grained condition: those which are for the
time being comparatively inert retain their yolk in a coarse-grained
for“m. Thus a disturbing factor is introduced which has to be carefully borne in mind when using the character of the yolk as a
criterion of the morphological nature of a given cell or tissue. '
A still further disturbing factor lies in the fact that while yolk
is being used up and disappearing from view in one part of the body
it may be deposited in cells elsewhere-—as for example takes place in
eggs during their period of growth within the ovary. Such increase
in the amount of yolk however, accompanied commonly by increase
in the size of the individual granules, is naturally relatively rare
in comparison with the breaking down of yolk which is occurring
through the general tissues of the embryo. It follows that on the
whole coarsely granular yolk in a cell or tissue affords more reliable
evidence as to its nature than does fine-grained yolk———which may be
and usually is merely a symptom of active metabolism.
(4) RECAPITULATION.——'l‘he fascination as well as the philosophical
interest of the study of Vertebrate embryology rests in great part upon
the recapitulation of phylogenetic evolution during the development of
the individual. In the early days of evolutionary embryology this
idea was accepted in an unquestioning and uncritical spirit and it
was supposed that all that had to be done to obtain a11 accurate‘ and
fairly complete picture of the phylogenetic history of any particular
animal was simply to work out its ontogenetic development. The
more extensive knowledge which we have regarding embryological
phenomena to-day serves on the one hand to confirm fully the truth
of the general principle and on the other hand to indicate how its
working is interfered with by various disturbing factors.
The main controlling factor in ontogeny is the character of the
adult. This is the motive power throughout the developmental period.
Just as according to N ewton’s First Law a moving body tends to
continue in Ia state of uniform motion in a straight line, so in
Ix YOLK : RECAPITULATION 491
ontogeny the developing individual tends to progress constantly
towards the goal of adult structure. Not in this case however
necessarily by the straightest and shortest path. The structure
of the adult is the expression of the action of Heredity. The
earlier stages are not exempt from the same influence. Each step
in the development of the ancestor tends to be repeated in the
development of the descendant. The descendant then during its
ontogeny tends to pursue the same, it may be devious, path as the
ancestor. If in the course of generations the adult structure becomes
shifted onwards in a process of evolution, this merely means the
adding on of a new portion at the latter end of the ontogenetic path.
The earlier portions of this path, built up of similar increments
representing previous steps in evolutionary progress, are repeated
as before, and so the complete process of individual development
forms a record or recapitulation of phylogenetic history.
It cannot be too constantly borne in mind that the factor just
indicated is the supreme factor in ontogenetic development. Other
factors may be superficially conspicuous, may have far-reaching
influence upon details, but this factor—-the tendency to repeat
ancestral steps in development up to and including the final characters "of the adult—is and must always be paramount.
Modern advances in knowledge of the facts of embryology,
together with the assumption of a properly critical frame of mind,
have shown, however, that the picture of past evolution afforded by
the phenomena of individual development is at the best but a blurred
and imperfect one, and that this must necessarily be so is readily
realized when we remember that a large proportion of the characters
of any organism are adaptive to its special mode of life. The
circumstances under which a developing organism exists are, as a
rule, widely different from those under which its ancestors proceeded
along the evolutionary path, and in correlation with this its adaptive
features are equally distinct. As we study the development of any
species of animal we do not then see before us a complete and perfect
picture of its evolutionary history, but merely gain fleeting, and it
may be misleading, glimpses through the obscuring_ clouds of
adaptive features.
A further disturbing factor is indicated by the consideration
that in past evolutionary history each stage in evolution was represented by a complete functional organism, all the parts of which
were necessarily at correlated stages of development so as to form a
functional whole. Many modern animals however develop under
conditions in which the different systems of organs are no longer
forced to keep accurate step with one another, and the result is that
some lag behind while others, particularly organs of great histological
complexity in the adu1t——-such as the brain or the eye——are accelerated
in their early development, so as to give time for the complicated
histogenetic processes that have to be completed before the organ
can become functional. It will be realized that this latter type of
492 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
disturbance affects the development of the individual as a whole
much more than it does its component organs, the result being that
embryology frequently affords a much more perfect picture of the
evolution of single organs than it does of the organism as a whole.
In reference to the ontogenetic record of phylogeny an interesting
question presents itself regarding the reliability or otherwise of the
information derived from the study of larval forms. To what extent
may a particular type of larva be taken as probably representing a
corresponding phase in the evolutionary history of the group: to
what extent are its features to be regarded as ancestral, to what
extent as mere modern adaptations to the environmental conditions
among which the particular creature now pursues its individual
development? In connexion with various groups among the
Invertebrata larval forms have played a conspicuous part in
phylogenetic speculation-—in some cases without due discrimination
in interpreting their features as ancestral—the climax perhaps
being reached by the view which regards such pelagic larvae as
trochospheres or naup1ii——precocious1y developed and free-swimming
heads without any trunk-—as representing ancestral forms (of.
Graham Kerr, 1911).
In considering whether a particular stage of development is to
be taken as probably repeating an ancestral stage of the adult
special attention should be directed towards its mode of life, with
the object of estimating the degree to which it diverges from the
probable mode of life of the ancestral stage. If its mode of life is
strikingly aberrant, ag. parasitic where the normal habit of the
group is free-living, or pelagic where the normal habit is not pelagic,
then we must always keep in mind the possibility or probability
that its most conspicuous features are mere modern adaptations and
are therefore worthless as evidence of ancestral conditions.
Again it should be considered whether in the main features of
its organization it agrees with animals which are admittedly
allied to it.
Larvae occur in the following Vertel;rates———Amp7z/ioasus, Petromg/zon, Crossopterygians, Ganoids, many Tcleosts, Lung-fishes and
the majority of Amphibians. Applying such criteria as are indicated
above we should rule out as probably devoid of phylogenetic
significance the larva of A7nph'i0;L'u.s’ on account of its quite aberrant
“pleuronectid” asymmetry (see Vol. I. Chap. XVII.). We should
again rule out the Teleostean larvae on account of their extreme
diversity. In Urodele Amphibians and Dipneumonic Lung-fishes
on the other hand we see larvae which appear to be distinctly of a
common type. And in Crossopterygian and Actinopterygian Ganoids
we again find larvae which differ from these in detail rather than in
fundamental characteristics. Consequently we should incline towards
the view that the type of larva in question does not depart very
widely from the common ancestral type out of which existing
Vertebrates have evolved. '
IX RECAPIT ULATION 493
Again in considering whether a particular feature of structure
is to be regarded as ancestral or as a modern adaptation the following
questions should be asked: (1) Is the feature peculiar to one group
of Vertebrates or does it occur in several groups, and (2) if it occurs
in several groups do the various animals possessing the peculiarity
in question undergo their larval stages in similar sets of environmental conditions?
If the particular feature occurs in several groups derived from
a common ancestral form this obviously increases the probability
of the feature itself being ancestral. If however the several groups
show similar sets of environmental conditions during their larval
stages this introduces the element of doubt whether the similar
features may not after all be merely adaptations to these similar
sets of conditions.
Again it is important to make out whether the particular
similarity has to do merely with parts of structure in direct functional relationship to external conditions. If there be deep-seated
correspondences in structure with no such direct functional
relationship to external factors then this gives greatly increased
probability to these correspondences being truly ancestral in their
nature.
The morphologist in trying to decipher the record of evolutionary
history from the data of comparative anatomy or embryology is
constantly impressed by the potency of nature’s economy of living
substance. An organ no longer required may be eliminated within
a very short period of evolutionary time. Thus in some species of
Mackerel (Scombe7') so important an organ as the air-bladder has been
eliminated: in various Frogs and Toads the external gills have been
eliminated from development. Thus negative embryological evidence
is of peculiarly little weight in relation to phylogenetic problems.
(5) THE PROTOSTOMA HYPOTHESIS.——Tl1iS is a working hypothesis
which links together and in a sense explains a number of features in
the early development of Vertebrates which are otherwise extremely
puzzling. The more important of these features may be summarized
as follows:
In Amplmloruus as has already been shown the dorsal side is at
first occupied by the widely open gastrular mouth. Later this
becomes roofed in by a backgrowth of the gastrular rim anteriorly.
A similar process of backgrowth appears to take place in the gastrulation of lower Vertebrates in general. The roof of the gastrular
cavity formed by this process gives rise later not merely to the
dorsal wall of the alimentary canal but also to notochord and central
nervous system.
I. N ow occasionally there are appearances which suggest that this
archenteric roof consists really of two lateral halves which have
become fused together along the sagittal plane. Thus in Protopterus
the down-growing dorsal lip of the blastopore is frequently indented
by a median incision. Again in Urodeles the medullary plate is
494 , EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
frequently traversed by a fine superficial groove wh.ich passes
forwards along the median line.
II. Then there occur curious cases of abnormality in which the
dorsal region of the body is actually divided into two halves by a
longitudinal split in the mesial plane. Thus Oscar Hertwig found
FIG. 220. -—Ahnorxnal embryos illustrating the Protostoma theory.
A, abnormal Frog embryo seen from the dorsal side; B, transverse section through hinder third of
ditto (after 0. Hertwig, 1892); C, abnorma.1'I‘ront embryo (S. famio) in dorsal view (after Kopsch, 1899);
D, ahnorxnal embryo of Pike (Esox lucius) (after Lereboullet, 1863). m. f, medullary fold ; m.s, mesoderm
segment; mes, mesoderm; N, notochord; 0, opening leading down into enteron; ot, otocyst; 3/,'_1nass
of yolk-cells.
(1892) that by fertilizing frog’s eggs which had become over-ripe,
either by retention within the oviduct or by being kept for from one
to four days in a moist chamber, he obtained a certain number of
abnormal embryos of the type shown in Fig. 220, A, where a large
expanse of yo1k—cells is visible in dorsal View instead of being completely covered in as would be the case normally. In transverse
section (Fig. 220, B) such an embryo was found to have two half
IX PROTOSTOMA THEORY 495
neural rudiments and two notochords of half the usual size, widely
separated by the mass of yolk or endoderm.
Similar abnormalities have been observed in Teleostean fishes.
E.g. Fig. 220, D shows a Pike-embryo which is normal towards its
anterior and posterior ends but interrupted for some distance in the
mid-dorsal line by a Wide cleft in which the yolk is visible. Again
in Fig. 220, C a similar cleft" is seen to traverse the whole length of
a Trout-embryo from the hind-brain region tailwards.
An important feature of such abnormal embryos of fish and amphibians is that they frequently proceed with their development, the
lips of the fissure closing up and the two sets of half-organs being
brought together in the mesial plane, undergoing complete fusion
and the individual becoming in fact entirely normal. The importance of this return to the normal on the part of such split embryos is
that it indicates that the departure from the normal during the split
condition is far less fundamental than would appear at first sight.
Here then we have to do with two very remarkable phenomena.
Firstly there is the abnormality itself—-—the fact that the dorsal region
of the body is for a time in the form of two distinct halves. Abnormalities of such a definite type as this usually have a definite evolutionary or other meaning and it is necessary to search for such a
meaning in this particular case. Secondly, there is the fact that an
embryo almost completely bisected in this way is frequently able to
right itself and become perfectly normal. This again suggests the
question whether this power of righting itself has not some special
- evolutionary meaning.
III. In the higher meroblastic Vertebrates we have seen that
there exists along the middle line of what corresponds with the
archcnteric roof of Avnplzxioccus (’i.8. the region which becomes converted into the dorsal part of the body, including notochord and
medullary plate) the structure known as the primitive streak. We
have also seen that in the lowest Vertebrates possessing it, this
primitive streak represents the line of fusion of the gastrular lips,
and that we are therefore justified in attaching the same significance
to the primitive streak in those higher forms in which the actual
process of fusion can no longer be observed. That this interpretation
is correct is indicated by the occasional occurrence of openings in the
line of the primitive streak communicating ventrally with the enteron
and dorsally with the outer surface of the medullary plate, or its
derivative the floor of the neural tube (pp. 51, 53). Such neurenteric
communications are readily explicable by the view that they represent simply parts of the line of fusion of the gastrular lips where
the actual fusion has not been completed. Here again we have a
phenomenon which demands explanation-——the occurrence of what
seems to be the vestige of a slit-like gastrular mouth along the middorsal line.
IV. We have another remarkable body of facts associated
with the fate of the blastopore or remnant of the gastrular mouth in
496 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
various groups of the animal kingdom; Thus within the limits of
the groups Annelida or Mollusca the blastopore in some forms
becomes the mouth, in others the anus. N 0 one would doubt for a
moment that the mouth opening is homologous throughout these
groups yet in one member of the group it can be traced back to the
blastopore while in another member it is the anus which can be so
traced. In other forms the gastrular mouth simply vanishes away
during development and in some of these cases it assumes a
curious elongated slit-like form along the mid-neural line before it
disappears.
It is the merit of the Protostoma theory that it—and it alone——
affords an explanation of these four very different but equally puzzling
bodies of facts. It falls therefore to be accepted by the
Vertebrate embryologist as
one of his working hypotheses.
The Protostoma theory is
simply a special development
of the theory of the evolution
of the coelomate Metazoa
which is generally accepted
by morphologists, namely that
the animals in question have
passed, during the remoter
parts of their evolutionary
history, through a Protozoan
and later a Coelenterate stage.
The peculiarity of the Protostoma theoryis that it includes
"FIG. 221.-—~View of neural rudiment in embryo of within the coelenterate period
{;6’i'lZ}1(ltllu$’  Sedgwiclp,  ; '8.Il(l.  a Stage correspondillg in
Cpl, 081/F871;. I1 1e Case 0 epz. osrren le - - embryo is shown as it appears when straight- maln Structural matures Wlth
ened out. the Actinians of the present
time, characterized by the
presence of an elongated slit-like mouth, dilated somewhat at each
end and surrounded by a specially concentrated portion of the ecto
dermal nerve plexus. The portion of the surface on which the
slit-like mouth was situated was thus the neural surface.
Sedgwick (1884) was led to the idea by his studies on the
development of Peripatus. He found in the species investigated by
him a stage (see Fig. 221, A) in which the gastrula-mouth formed a long
slit traversing the neural surface and surrounded by the ectodermal
neural rudiment. As development went on the gastrular mouth or
protostoma became obliterated, except in its dilated terminal portions,
by fusion of its lips. The terminal parts remained open as mouth
and anus respectively. The portions of nerve rudiment between the
two openings became the ventral nerve cords while the portions in
front of the mouth and behind the anus gave rise respectively to the
IX _ PROTOSTOMA THEORY 497
supra-oesophageal ganglia and the suprareetal commissure. According
to Sedgwick this stage in the development of Pervlpatus repeats the
features of an Actinozoon-like Coelenterate ancestor, not merely of
Pemlpatus, and therefore of Arthropods in general, but of such other
groups as Annelids, Molluscs and Vertebrates.
It will be noted that on this protostoma hypothesis an important
physiological distinction has at an early period of evolution marked
off the Vertebrates from the other groups mentioned. This distinction came about with the acquisition of different habits of movement.
In the stem which gave rise to Annelids, Arthropods, Molluscs,
movement took place with the neural surface next the substratum
(as in those modern Medusae which are able to creep on a solid
surface-—e.g. Cladonerna), while in the Vertebrate stem on the
other hand the neural surface was directed away from the solid
substratum (as in the modern Actinian when it creeps). This difference in the position of the body in relation to the substratum
would naturally lead in time to the different types of dorsiventrality
so apparent in the fundamental organization of the two diverging
stems. It is frequently stated by critics of the protostoma hypothesis
that it involves a reversal of dorsal and ventral sides during the
evolution of Vertebrates from their invertebrate ancestors but it
will be gathered from what has been said that this criticism rests
on a misunderstanding.
It will be readily seen that the protostoma hypothesis successfully explains the four categories of puzzling facts already enumerated. The paired appearance of the gastrular roof would be a
reminiscence of the fact that originally it was actually paired: the
split along the back of the abnormal embryos would mean the
temporary re-appearance of the ancestral split or mouth: the primitive
streak would be the scar along which the lips of this ancestral mouth
or protostoma underwent fusion: and the converting of blastopore
now into mouth now into anus would he an imperfect reminiscence
of the fact that in phylogeny it gave rise to both.
On this hypothesis the various signs of a split along the neural
surface of the vertebrate embryo, whether in the form of a dorsal
furrow or a primitive streak or an actual opening, areinterpretable
as reminiscences of the protostoma slit which traversed the neural
surface of the Actinozoon-like ancestor.‘ It is of interest to notice
that in two Vertebrates at least there exist what seem to be obvious
traces of neural rudiment extending round behind the anal part of
the protostoma precisely as in Peripatus. In Fig. 221, B, is shown
an embryo of Lepidosiren spread out in one plane, with the neural
rudiment in the form of a ridge which is continuous behind the
blastopore or anus. If it be reflected that this opening may be
1 That the primitive streak and primitive groove are closely related to the gastrula
mouth was perceived by Rauber (1877) but a. clear evolutionar explanation of this
relationship was first given by the protostoma theory of Sedgu 1c (1884) and Hertwig
(1892)
VOL. 11 2 K
498 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES en.
regarded as being continued forwards by a potential slit, represented
eg. by the primitive streak of other forms, it will be realized how
close is the resemblance to the conditions in Peripwtus. The pre-anal
portions of the neural rudiment in Lepidosiren come together in the
mesial plane to form the spinal cord, while the postanal portion
flattens out and disappears so that theanal opening comes to lie
entirely behind the posterior limit of the central nervous system. It
is clear that if the development of the anal opening were delayed
until the neural folds had already come together it would make its
appearance completely behind the central nervous rudiment and with
no obvious connexion with it. This is very possibly the case in
Vertebrates other than those mentioned. '
Although the anal opening of Vertebrates is thus brought into
the relations with the nervous system that we should expect on the
protostoma hypothesis there is no such definite evidence in the
case of the mouth. It is true that in some cases the dorsal
furrow has been traced to the neighbourhood of the mouth and
that the mouth opening has in some cases at first the form of a
sagittally placed slit, but in no ease, up to the present, has the
neural rudiment been traced round in front of the mouth. This
difficulty however is greatly lessened when We correlate the facts just
mentioned in regard to the anal opening in Lepidcisiren with the
relatively late appearance of the mouth opening of Vertebrates as
discussed on p. 193. It may well be that the non-inclusion of the
mouth opening within the obvious neural rudiment is due simply to
the pre-oral parts of the medullary folds having already flattened out
and disappeared before the oral opening makes its appearance. If
this is the case it carries with it the interesting consequence that the
supra-oesophageal or pre-oral ganglia of I’emIpatus have disappeared in
the Vertebrate and it is therefore waste of energy to discuss what
parts of the brain of a Vertebrate are homologous with the supraoesophageal ganglia of Invertebrates.
This Protostoma idea, dealing as it does with extremely remote
phases of the Vertebrate phylogeny, must not be looked on as a
definitely proved theory, nor can it be expected ever to reach that
dignity, but it is a fascinating working hypothesis which serves, and
which alone serves, to link together and in a sense explain a
considerable body of otherwise mysterious and apparently inexplicable
facts of Vertebrate embryology.‘
(6) THE VERTEBRATE HEAD.-—-The two phyla of the animal
kingdom which have reached the highest stage of evolutionary
deve1opment—the Arthropoda and the Vertebrata——are alike characterized by the possession of a well-developed head. In the
1 In considering the difliculties in the way of the theory afforded by cases where
the gastrula becomes roofed in by a process of simple backgrowth without any trace
of protostoma. (e.g. Amphiomus), it is well to bear in mind the parallel case of the
amnion-——of which a large portion may be formed by simple backgrowtb, although
the sero-amniotic isthmus and the ingrowth of mesoderm from the two sides seem to
point clearly to a former formation by the meeting of two lateral folds.
IX THE VERTEBRATE HEAD 499
evolution of a head we may take it that the principal factors
involved are probably the following:
(1) The habit of active movement in a direction corresponding
with the prolongation of the axis of the body,
(2) The concentration of organs of special sense towards the end
of the body which is in front during movement,
(3) The concentration of nerve centres to form a brain in
proximity to these organs of sense.
In the case of the Vertebrate the brain has reached a comparatively
large size and in correlation with this the protecting skeleton has
become highly developed and has lost the flexibility which is
characteristic of it in the trunk. Further in the Vertebrate the
walls of the buccal cavity and pharynx have become highly
specialized, particularly in the matter of their skeleton, in relation‘
to the functions of ingestion and mastication of the food on the one
hand, and of respiration on the other.
Each of these various factors involves structural change, not
affecting merely one organ but causing modification of the whole
complex arrangements of the head-region. Thus associated with the
loss of flexibility we find (1) loss of segmentation of the skeleton,
(2) disappearance or great modification of the myotomes, (3)
corresponding changes in the nerves supplying these myotomes and
(4) disappearance of the coelomic cavities.
The full appreciation of the importance of this feature of the
Vertebrata makes it, in the present writer's opinion, impossible to
doubt that the possession of a definite head is a feature that has
come down from the unknown ancestral form from which the
Vertebrate stock has evolved. If this be correct it follows that
the relatively feeble differentiation of the head end of the body seen
in Amplmioams is to be regarded as a secondary condition, correlated
with the peculiar mode of life of this animal, and devoid of phylogenetic significance.
It has already been pointed out that organs of great complexity
in the adult tend to be laid down at an early stage of individual
development, time being thus obtained for the development of their
complex detail. It is perhaps in direct relation to this principle
that the highly complex head - region of the Vertebrate, which
comes to assume control over most of the activities of the individual, develops particularly early in ontogeny ——the Various
developmental processes making themselves as a rule first apparent in the head region and spreading thence tailwards along the
trunk. This fact is of practical importance to the embryologist
for in the case of segmentally repeated organs it enables him to
find a series of developmental stages within the body of a single
embryo.
Though this precocious cephalization is a marked feature of
Vertebrate ontogeny it never goes within this phylum to the length
it does amongst certain Invertebrates where the larval stage
500 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
(N auplius, Trochosphere) is practically a precociously developed and
free-living head which has not yet developed a trunk.
As will have been gathered, one of the most conspicuous features
of the head-region is the loss of segmentation in organs in which it
was once present.
Metamerie segmentation, which first makes its appearance in
typical form in the Annelida, is probably to be associated primarily
with the coelome and its lining the mesoderm. The coelome is
distended with coelomic fluid and the turgidity so caused gives
firmness to the body. The physiological advantage of the coelomic
cavity being subdivided into successive compartments is obvious.
The segmentation of other organs is to be looked on as secondary
to that of the mesoderm, and more especially to that of the
muscles. Thus the segmented character of the nervous system of
an Annelid or Arthropod is due to the ganglion-cells tending to
become concentrated at the level of the masses of muscle
which work the parapodia or limbs. So also the segmentation of
the skeleton which permits flexure of the body is correlated directly
with the segmentation of the musculature which causes that
fiexure.
So, conversely, with the disappearance of segmentation in the
head of the Vertebrate. Correlated with the loss of flexibility in
the brain region the myotomes which produce the flexure have
disappeared, and correlated with this in turn the ensheathing
skeleton has lost its segmentation and the segmentally arranged
motor nerves have also gone. The process has taken place from
before backwards. It has been carried to the greatest extent in
front, to the least at the hinder limit of the head.
It is definitely established that the head of the Vertebrate
has at least in part come into being by the modification of what
was once the anterior portion of the trunk. With the gradual
evolution and increase in size of the brain—-so characteristic of the
phylum Vertebrata—this organ has gradually encroached upon the
spinal cord, and its protective skeleton the chondrocranium has
pare} passu encroached upon the vertebral column. This is clearly
indicated by the fact that included within the limits of the skull
are nerves which are serially homologous with those of the trunk.
Putting on one side the probability-as many would regard it—
that cranial nerves III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX and X are really
homologous with the spinal nerves, we find behind the Vagus a
series of spino-occipital nerves (Fiirbringer, 1897), which although
included within the limits of the skull are yet undoubtedly members
of the same series as the spinal nerves. The number of those is
very different in the different subdivisions of the Vertebrata as may
be gathered from aninspection of Fig. 222. In all probability they
will be found also to show considerable variation in different
individuals of the same species.
During the evolution of the head there is some reason to believe
adult stage of modern Cyclostomes: it is also seen in the young
Lepidosiren of stage 34 (see Fig. 154, B, p. 309).
The next phase is seen in the adults of such relatively primitive
groups as the Elasmobranchs, the dipneumonic Lungfishes and the
Amphibians, in which an occipital region has been added on to the
palaeocranium.
ii jjj
=...‘!....'I.2_IL_A_Il_'«’..1L._$_1L_1.JL_§_iL_9._JL_7_|i_!3_i
 
L_V_l|_w_lIJ.JLL1L_zJI_A_JLB_JL_Q_1L_D_JL_E_JL_F.JL_LJL_8_J
O O O. O. O. C. C. C. O.
E fijéjjjjjn
L_"_1I_.z_lL;.1lJ_1I_3_JI;iL_§..IL£_I|_.7_.1L_8_i
O
jjjj
|v3 |Z||A| |Bg|g||4| .5. 113.17. [8]
FIG. 222.-—-Diagram illustrating the relations of the binder limit of the cranium in an Elasmobranch (A), Lepidosiren
(B), Polypterus (C), Acipenser (D), an Amphibian (E), and a Reptile (F), as seen from the left side.
The cranial floor is indicated by the broad horizontal black band : it is demarcated from the vertebral column by the vertical
band which represents the occipital limit of the cranium. Dorsal and ventral nerve roots are shown as black dots, when transitory
as rings, when occurring only occasionally as dotted rings. The myotomes are indicated by rectangular outlines. The Spinooccipital myotomes are lettered according to Furbringer's system—the anterior batch (occipital) with the concluding letters_of the
alphabet, the posterior batch (occipito-spinal) with the commencing letters (A, B, C’). Trunk myotomes not yet incorporated in
the head are designated by numbers.
Ix THE VERTEBRATE HEAD 501
that its extension backwards has taken place by successive steps.
In the most ancient recognizable stage the cranium (Palaeocranium
——Fiirbringer) extended no farther back than the vagus nerve.
This phase is represented--either persistent or revertive——in the
502 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
Finally the hinder limit in the other Vertebrates has been shifted
still farther back—one segment (Poly/ptems), three segments (Amniota)
or as many as five segments (Acipenser).
As far forwards as the hinder limit of the palaeocranium there
is, as already indicated (p. 317), clear evidence that the cranial wall
represents a series of neural arches which have undergone fusion.
As indicated on the same page it is difficult to avoid extending this
homology to the mesotic portion of cranial wall lying still farther
forwards. As regards the prechordal portion of the cranium there
is no definite evidence, but if we regard the trabeculae as primitively in continuity with the parachordals we have to grant the
possibility of even this part of the cranium being in series with
' the portions farther back and therefore also originally vertebral in
constitution.
In conclusion it must be remembered that the series of myotomes is also continued into the head-region, and the occurrence of
typical myotomes as far forwards as the premandibular or oculomotor segment (p. 210) may be taken as strong evidence that the
segmentation of the mesoderm originally extended throughout the
head-region including its pre-chordal portion.
(7) EMBRYOLOGY AND THE EVOLUTION or THE VERTEBRATE.——
The special charm and the chief importance of the study of embryology reside in the fact that it is one of the main branches of
evolutionary science. The greater part of what is ordinarily called
evolutionary research deals with the possible methods and causes of
evolutionary change. '.l‘he data of Embryology on the other hand
form a branch of synthetic evolutionary science which deals not with
possible causes or methods but with the actual facts of evolutionary
change, striving to map out the course along which this has proceeded. ln compiling the record of evolutionary progress we are
dependent upon Comparative Anatomy and Palaeontology as well
as Embryology, and in formulating conclusions care has to be taken
that whenever possible they are based on the data of all three
sciences. In cases where these data are not in agreement care must
be taken to bear in mind the main disturbing factors which are
liable to invalidate the conclusions in each case. In reasoning from
Embryology and Comparative Anatomy the possibility that particular
features are modern adaptations to existence say within a uterus or
egg-shell or under any other set of conditions different from those
of the ancestor has to be borne in mind. In the case of Palaeontology and Comparative Anatomy there exists the same danger of
error as besets the protozoologist when he endeavours to construct a
continuous life-history out of a number of isolated observations on
the dead animal—the error of arranging observations in a series
which is not natural, or on the other hand, if the seriation be done
correctly, of reversing its direction. In Palaeontology errors of this
type are peculiarly apt to arise on account of the extraordinary
imperfection of our knowledge. If a- series of organisms a, b, c, d,
IX EMBRYOLOGY AND EVOLUTION 503
become known from a series of geological deposits A, B, 0, D, this
affords convincing evidence in most cases that the particular
organisms lived at the time the particular deposits were laid down:
the conclusion may also be fairly justifiable that not only did they
exist but that they were abundant at the period in question. The
conclusion however which is so apt to be drawn that w, b, c, d, actually made their first appearance in the same order as the deposits
A, B, 0, 1), is quite unreliable. They may have existed in smaller
numbers for immense periods of time before the periods corresponding
to A, B, 0’, 1), when they were really abundant, and the order of their
first appearance may have been d, c, b, a, or any other. Such a
geological series is in fact in itself of little value as an index to the
order of evolution. In Embryology on the other hand where the
evolutionary stages occur as part of a continuous process, each
dependent upon its predecessor, we appear to be safe in assuming
that the record, however incomplete, is at least arranged in proper
sequence.
Another principle to be borne in mind, when the attempt is being
made to work out the evolutionary history of a particular group‘ is
that conclusions must be based upon broad knowledge of structure as
a whole. No implicit reliance must be placed upon evidence relating
to one system of organs unless it is corroborated by the evidence of
other organs. Failing this precaution the investigator is liable to
the pitfall afforded by convergent evolution of organs of similar
function. Here again the palaeontologist finds himself much hampered
as compared with the embryologist, for as a rule all evidence except
that of the skeletal system has passed completely beyond his ken.
EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN or THE VERTEBRATA.——In the preceding
portions of this book it has been shown that Embryology provides us
with a record in at least its main outlines——ot' the evolutionary
changes which the various organ-systems have undergone within the
group Vertebrata. For, amongst others, the reasons stated at the
foot of p. 491 the record is less clear regarding the evolutionary
history of the complete individual. Even however if we had this
record complete for the various types—Fish, Amphibian, Reptile,
Bird—we should find ourselves still confronted with the interesting
problem of the first origin of the primitive Vertebrate type :—from
whence came these lowly original Vertebrates out of which the various
existing types of Vertebrate have been evolved?
This problem of the ancestry of the Vertebrata is naturally a
fascinating one and it has attracted much attention and been the
theme of voluminous writing. Enthusiasts have at different times
endeavoured to demonstrate that the Vertebrates are descended from
this phylum or from that. It is perhaps best not to take such
attempts very seriously. They have served a useful purpose in
arousing interest and stimulating research but they have little claim
to a place in the permanent literature of Zoology. «
We are naturally unable to get any evidence bearing upon the
504 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
problem from Palaeontology. The most ancient Vertebrates of which
fossil remains are known had probably already evolved to a far
greater distance from the original type of Vertebrate than that which
separates them from the existing Vertebrates of to-day. And the
probability is that the earliest Vertebrates went on existing and
evolving through long ages before they developed those complex
skeletal structures which are alone adapted for preservation as fossils
in the geological record. Comparative Anatomy fails us too——-for up
to the present no existing type of animal has been discovered which
can justifiably be interpreted as an unmodified survivor of the
original Vertebrates.
It is Embryology alone which yields us examples of Vertebrates
in the earliest stages of evolution but the data afforded by that
science do not carry us beyond the formulation of a few very broad
and general conclusions regarding the prevertebrate phases in the
evolutionary history of the phylum.
(1) The fact that Vertebrates, like other Metazoa, commence
their existence as a unicellular zygote appears to justify us in postulating a unicellular tie. a Protozoan ancestral stage.
(2) The fact that there occurs in the admittedly more primitive
Vertebrates a gastrula stage appears to justify us in postulating a
diploblastic or Uoelenterate ancestral stage.
(3) The facts which are united together in the Protostoma
hypothesis suggest that the coelenterate ancestor evolved along lines
somewhat similar to those of the modern Sea—anemones with their
elongated slit-like protostoina dilated at each end and surrounded by
a concentration of the ectodermal nerve-plexus.
(4) The facts that the coelome was probably originally segmented
(as indicated by Amphtowus), that the excretory organs are in the
form of nephridial tubes, that the vascular system consists fundamentally of longitudinal vessels on opposite sides of the alimentary
canal connected together by vascular arches, the blood passing
tailwards in the vessel on the neural side of the alimentary canal——
suggest that there intervened between the coelenterate phase and the
vertebrate phase a stage which possessed many features in common
with those animals which are grouped together to-day in the phylum
Annelida. We may suppose that this annelid-like creature became
evolved from an Anemone in which the body had become drawn out,
as in the genus Herrpolitha or one of the brain corals, and which had
become actively motile. In the two diverging stems which gave rise
to Annelids and to Vertebrates respectively we may take it that a
difference existed in the normal position of the body—-—the former
progressing with their neural, the latter with their abneural, surface
underneath. It is conceivable that this difference may have been
associated with the difference between a creeping mode of life in
which the chief sensory impressions were related to the solid substratum and a swimming mode of life in which they rather came
from above.
Ix GERM LAYER THEORY 505
ADDENDUM TO CHAPTER IX.——More than once in the course of
this volume reference has been made to the “ Theory of Germinal
Layers” or the “Germ Layer Theory.” This theory, which has
played a great part in the development of embryological science in
the past and still dominates to a great extent embryological research,
had its foundations in observations made by these pioneers of
embryological science — Wolff, Pander, von Baer and Remak.
Wolff (1768) observed that the alimentary canal in the Bird embryo
is developed out of a thin membrane or leaf (“ Blatt”) and inferred
that the other organs go through a similar stage. Pander (1817)
gave the name “ blastoderm ” to the first membrane-like stage of the
embryo as a whole, saw how this became differentiated into the three
layers-——outer, middle and inner——and traced out the development
from _these of the main organ-systems. Von Baer (1828) carried on
and elaborated l’ander’s work, recognized that the middle layer was
double, and that it was secondary to the two primary layers: the
outer and the inner. He also extended his observations to forms
other than the Fowl and laid the foundations of Comparative Embryology. Remak (1855) finally worked out the germ-layers in terms
of the Cell-theory, traced the origin of the coelome to a split in the
middle layer, and worked out more precisely the relations of the
layers to the definitive organ-systems.
One of the most important steps in the development of the Germ
Layer Theory was made by Huxley (1859) who as a result of his
researches upon the Medusae recognized the two primary cell-layers
in these animals (named by Allman “ eetoderm ” and “ endoderm ”)
and suggested the comparison of them with the two primary layers
of the Vertebrate embryo.
Embryology, like Morphology in general, first became a real
living science as a result of Darwin’s demonstration of the fact of
evolution. In the Omlgivt Qf Species (1859) the principle of recapitulation is already admitted. “Embryology rises greatly in interest,
when we thus look at the embryo as a picture, more or less obscured,
of the common parent-form of each great class of animals.” The
idea was further elaborated by Fritz Muller (1864).
Kowalevsky (1871, etc.) and other embryologists had demonstrated the wide-spread occurrence among the Invertebrates of an
early stage of development more or less cup-shaped in form and
consisting only of the two primary cell-layers, and the important
advance was made synchronously by Lankester and Haeckel of
perceiving in this two-layered stage a repetition of a common
ancestral form.
Lankester (1873) recognized amongst the Metazoa two distinct
grades of complexity of structure so far as their cell-layers were
concerned—the diploblastic grade (represented by the Coelenterate)
consisting of the two primary layers, and the triploblastic grade with
an interposed middle layer. Further he recognized that each
Metazoon—whatever its definitive condition—passes in the course
506 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
of development through a diploblastic stage which he termed the
planula. Such a planula. stage he regarded as a repetition of a
common ancestral stage of evolution.
Haeckel (1872) about the same time as Lankester also developed
the idea that the diploblastic stage of ontogeny was to be interpreted
as the repetition of an ancestral form: Haeckel called this ancestral
form Gastraea. The main difference between Haeckel’s view and
Lankester’s was that the former regarded the endoderm as having
arisen by a process of invagination——-as it actually does arise in
ontogeny in the great majority of cases—-—while Lankester regarded
it as having arisen by a process of delamination from the outer
la er.
y As regards the middle germ-layer ideas remained somewhat vague
until Agassiz (1864) showed that in the Starfish the mesoderm arose
in the form of an outgrowth of the archenteric wall. The same was
found to be the case in various other Invertebrates, and in 1877
Kowalevsky showed how in Amp}:/iowus the mesoderm was during an
early stage in the form of archenteric pockets. In the same year
Lapkester developed the generalization that the coelome is to be
regarded as uniformly enterocoelic in origin and comparable with the
diverticula of the archenteric lining seen in Coelenterata.
The separation of such mesodernial cells as are in their early
stages free and amoeboid under the common name mesenchyme was
first made by O. and R. Hertwig (1882).
The later developments of the theory of the mesoderm involved
in the Protostoma theory have already been alluded to earlier in this
volume and the same applies to what the author regards as the chief
qualification of the germ-layer theory indicated by modern work,
namely that the boundary between two layers where they are continued into one another must be regarded not as a sharply marked
line but as a more or less broad debatable zone.
LITERATURE
Agassiz. Contributions to the Natural History of the United States of America, v.
Boston, 1864. [Vol. v printed as vol. v, pt. 1, of Mem. Mus. Comp. Zoology
H8l'Va.1‘d.] _
Baer. Uber die Entwickclungsgeschichte der Thiere. Beobachtung und Reflexion,
i. Konigsbcrg, 1828.
Bell. Arch. Entwick. Mechanik, xxiii, 1907.
Piirbringer. Gegenbaurs Festschrift. Leipzig, 1897.
Haeckel. Die Kalkschwamme. Berlin, 1872.
Hertwig, 0. Arch. mikr. Anat., xxxix, 1892.
Hertwig, 0. and R. J enaische Zeitschrift, xv, 1882.
Jérgensen. R. Hertwigs Festschrift. Jena, 1910.
Kerr, Graham. Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., xviii, 1912.
Kopsch. Internat. Monatsschr. Anat. u. Phys., xvi, 1899.
Kowalevsky. Mém. Acad. Sci. St-Pétersbourg, (7), xvi, 1871.
Kowalevsky. Arch. mikr. Anat., xiii, 1877.
Lankester. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4), xi, 1873.
Lankoster. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., xvii, 1877.
Lereboullet. Ann. Sci. Nat., 4, Zool., xx, 1863.
IX GERM LAYER THEORY 507
Mfiller. Fiir Darwin. Leipzig, 1864. ‘
Pander. Beitrzige zur Entwickelungsgeschichte des Hiihnchens im Eye. Wiirzburg, 1817.
Parker. American Natltralist, xliii, 1909.
Rabl. Morph. Ja.hrb., xv, 1889.
Rauber. Priniitivstreifcn und Neurula. der Wi1'bc1thie1'e. Leipzig, 1877.
Remak. Uxltersuchuugen ulwr die Entwicke-lung der \Virbe1thiere. Berlin, 1855.
Sedgwick. Q,11a.rt. Journ. Mic-r. Sui., xxiv, 1884.
Sedgwick. Quzwt. Jmxrn. Micr. Sci., xxxvii and xxxviii, 1895 and 1896.
Wolff. Nov. Conmwnt. Acad. Sci. St-I’éte1'sl>o1u'g. xii, 1768.
CHAPTER X
THE PRACTICAL STUDY OF THE EMBRYOLOGY OF
THE COMMON FOWL
FOR gaining practical experience in the study of embryology there
is’ no type of material so convenient as that of the early stages in the
development of the Common Fowl. Freshly laid eggs can be obtained
practically anywhere and to obtain the various stages of development
all that is necessary 1 is to keep the eggs at a suitable temperature
(about 38° C.) either under a sitting hen, or in one of the incubators
which can be purchased, or even in a simple water-jacketed even
such as can be made by any tinsmith. If an incubator be purchased
it will be provided with a proper heat regulator for use with electricity, gas or oil, while with the most primitive water-bath it is
possible to arrange a lamp so as to give a temperature sufliciently
constant as to carry the eggs through at least the first few days of
incubation—the most important period for purposes of study. Bird
embryos—apart from their use in learning practical embryology-—
provide admirable material for giving practice in the ordinary
methods of section-cutting which are in such constant use in Zoology,
Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology. This chapter will then be
devoted to giving an account of the development of the Fowl with
directions as to the technique involved in its practical study.
In the description which follows the developmental phenomena
will be described in their natural sequence but on account of the
practical difficulties involved in the extraction and preservation of
blastoderms of the first day of incubation it will be found best, in
actual laboratory work, after studying the new-laid egg and its
envelopes, to proceed to the stage of about 42 hours’ incubation and
gain some practice in the manipulation of it before attempting the
earlier stages. In the following technical instructions the sequence
is followed which has been found to be in practice most convenient
for beginners.
TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS 2
I. NEW-LAID EGG.——Fil1 a glass vessel about 4% inches in
diameter and 2 inches in depth With normal salt solution [Water
1 Provided the eggs have been fertilized.
9 The reader is assumed to have an elementary knowledge of the ordinary methods
of cutting sections. See, however, the Appendix.’
508
CH.X PRACTICAL EMBRYOLOGY OF THE FOWL 509
100 c.c., common salt '7 5 gramme] heated to a temperature of
about 40° C. Submerge the egg upon its side in the salt solution and
remove the side of the shell which is uppermost by cutting with a
pair of strong scissors and then lifting off the isolated piece of shell
with blunt forceps. Take care to keep the point of the scissors or
forceps close to the inner surface of the °shell so as to avoid risk of
injury to the true egg or “ yolk.”
II. EGG AFTER 42 HOURS’ INCUBATION. —— Open the egg as
before. On removing the piece of shell the blastodcrm will be
seen as a circular whitish area on the upper side of the yolk. Excise
the blastodcrm by making a series of rapid cuts with the large scissors
through the vitelline membrane a short distance external to the
boundary of the blastodcrm. Should the yolk happen to be tilted
round so that the blastodcrm is not uppermost but rather at one side
make the first cut below the blastodcrm so that the elasticity of the
vitelline membrane will tend to pull it upwards when the cut is
made. Otherwise the blastodcrm may be lost by its being pulled
downwards.
Having isolated the circle of vitelline membrane, with its adherent blastoderm, slide it off the yolk by pulling gently on one side
with the forceps. Remove the remains of the egg from the dish so
as to keep the salt solution clean. Take hold of the circle of vitelline
membrane at one edge with the forceps and wave it backwards and
forwards beneath the surface of the salt solution. The blastodcrm
will gradually become detached. Should it not do so at once the
separation should be started by freeing it from the vitelline membrane with a scalpel at one edge. Notice the difference in appearance between the vitelline membrane and the blastodcrm which has
been detached from it. If the blastodcrm is yellow from adherent
yolk this should be washed oil’ either by waving the blastodcrm
backwards and forwards in the salt solution or by gently directing
jets of salt solution 011 the yolky surface of the submerged blastodcrm
by a wide-mouthed pipette.
The blastodcrm should. now be brought near the surface of the
salt solution and a watch-glass slipped under it by which it may be
lifted from the larger vessel. The blastodcrm is so delicate that it
must be kept submerged in the fluid: no attempt must be made to
lift it above the surface by forceps.
A microscope coverslip slightly larger than the blastodcrm should
now be submerged in the watch-glass and the blastodcrm floated
over it dorsal side above. The dorsal or upper side of the blastodcrm
can easily be identified from the fact that the edges of the blastodcrm tend to curl upwards. Having floated the blastodcrm over the
coverslip the latter should be gently raised to the surface of the fluid
with a pair of large forceps. Take care to keep the coverslip absolutely horizontal and lift it out of the fluid very carefully so that the
blastodcrm is stranded on its upper surface, the lower surface of the
blastodcrm being in contact with the coverslip. The superfluous salt
510 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
solution should be drawn away with blotting-paper so as to bring
the blastoderm into close contact with the glass; take great care
that the blotting-paper does not actually touch the blastoderm as in
that event it will be apt to stick to it. Now take the coverslip
between the finger and thumb and with the aid of a pipette place a
very small drop of corrosive sublimate solution (or other fixing fluid)
upon the centre of the blastoderm. This will cause the blastoderm
to adhere to the coverslip. Now invert the eoverslip and drop it on
to the surface of some fixing fluid in a watch-glass.
The blastoderm is then passed through the various operations of
staining, dehydrating and clearing, preparatory to mounting whole oi‘
conversion into a series of sections as the case may be. The advantage of having the blastoderm adherent to a coverslip is that it makes
it easier to handle and above all it keeps it from becoming wrinkled
or folded. The blastoderm if fixed in corrosive sublimate can usually
easily be detached from the coverslip at the stage of clearing if it
has not already become free at some preceding stage. Should it
adhere obstinately it should be placed i11 acidulated alcohol for an
hobr or more.
The examination of the blastoderm should be carried out as
follows:
1. Study the blastoderm and embryo as a whole under a, preferably binocular, dissecting microscope while it is submerged in the
fixing fluid. As the fixing fluid penetrates the embryo the various
details in its structure come into view. Continue the examination
of the surface relief in the alcohol which is used for getting rid of the
excess of the fixing agent. After examining from the dorsal side
invert the blastoderm and examine from below.
2. Repeat the examination of the embryo as a whole as a transparent object after staining and clearing. If the individual embryo
is to be cut into sections a careful drawing should be made at this
stage, the outline being preferably drawn by means of the camera
lucida.
3. Study serial sections cut transversely to the axis of the
embryonic body.
[Sagittal and horizontal sections will also be useful for study
after the transverse oncs.]
III. EARLY SECOND-DAY BLAs'ro1nmM.—-—The same method is
used as for the 42-hour stage but special care must be taken on
account of the more fragile character of the blastoderm. In all
probability the blastoderm will remain adherent to the vitelline
membrane in spite of repeated shaking and the process of detachment will have to be started by gently easing up the edge of the
blastoderm on the side next the forceps in which the edge of the
circle of vitelline membrane is held.
To get rid of adherent yolk the circle of vitelline membrane
should be laid on the bottom of the dish of salt solution, blastoderm
uppermost. A pipette with a wide mouth should be held vertically
X TECHN ICAL DIRECTIONS 51]
a few millimetres above the blastoderm and the india-rubber bulb
squeezed rhythmically so as to wash away the particles of yolk by
very gentle currents of salt solution. When the blastoderm is lifted
out of the solution stranded upon the coverslip it is very apt to
become folded. When this happens, on account of the fragility of
the blastoderm, no attempt should be made to stretch it out by the
use of needles or forceps. The folds should rather be straightened
out by a current of salt solution allowed to flow out from the orifice
of a pipette held vertically just over the centre of the blastoderm.
IV. EARLY BLASTODERMS.-—Open the egg as before. Let the
albumen run off until the vitelline membrane over the blastoderm is
exposed. Raise the egg until the blastoderm touches the surface of
the salt solution and then bring a wide-mouthed pipette of Flem1ning’s solution, held vertically, into such a position that its tip just
touches the film of fluid over the blastoderm. Let the solution flow
down slowly on to the vitelline membrane covering the blastoderm.
If there is any albumen overlying the blastoderm this should be
carefully stripped elf as it coagulatcs. A small piece of black bristle
should be stuck into the vitelline membrane on each side to mark
the line joining the chalazae so as to facilitate the orientation of the
blastoderm for section-cutting. The fixing fluid should be allowed to
act for several minutes and then a circle of vitelline membrane
may be excised with the blastoderm adhering. to it. Floatv out the
circle of vitelline membrane on a coverslip with the blastoderm above
and submerge in a watch-glass of fixing fluid. If the circle of blastoderm adheres to the coverslip so much the better: it may be separated in the clearing agent.
Instead of a pipette as above indicated being used for the fixing
fluid a small rim of cardboard, e.g. the rim of a small pill-box lid, may
be placed on the surface of the yolk, raised up slightly out of the
salt solution, so as to enclose the blastoderm and then the little tank
so formed may be filled with Flemming’s solution which will gradually diffuse downwards. Minchin recommends a triangular instead
of a circular rim for facilitating subsequent orientation.
For fine work it is preferable to embed the whole yolk in celloidin
and then after the celloidin has been hardened to c11t out the portion
in the region of the upper pole for sectioning. This method consumes however much more time than does the paraffin method.
V. THIRD-DAY EGG.——A. Open the egg as before.
B. Study the embryo and blastoderm while still alive and in
situ. A large outline drawing should he made. The details of the
body of the embryo will be seen better later but the arrangement of
the blood-vessels can best be studied now while the circulation is
still active. As a rule they can be seen distinctly through the
vitelline membrane but if not the latter should be carefully stripped
off. A Greenough binocular microscope with its lowest power
objectives is a useful accessory for examining the blood-vessels.
C. Excise the embryo with the surrounding portion of blasto512 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
derm, float it on a slide, cover with coverslip supported by wax feet
at the corners and examine as a transparent object, comparing the
various features with those shown in Figs. 235 and 236.
D. Excise a second embryo with its surrounding blastoderm.
Float it on to a coverslip, embryo above, and submerge it in a watchglass of fixing fluid. Watch it carefully under the lens or preferably
low-power binocular as the tissues gradually become opaque. The
amnion will be seen particularly clearly during this process. A
drawing should be made of the embryo enclosed in its amnion as an
opaque object.
E. Carefully strip off the amnion with a pair of needles 1 and
study the configuration of the head end of the embryo.
F. Stain and mount the embryo.
G. Prepare series of sections (at) transverse to trunk region, (1))
horizontal through trunk region and therefore approximately sagittal
in the region of the head which is lying over on its left side.
VI. THE FOURTH DAY.-On placing the egg in the salt solution
the broad end will tilt up more decidedly than before owing to the
increase in size of the air space. Care should therefore be taken to
make the first perforation of the shell close to the broad end so as to
allow the air to escape. Care must also be taken not to injure the
vascular area as the whole blastoderm is now much closer to the
shell than it was in earlier stages. As soon as the egg has been
opened a careful drawing should be made while the embryo is still
alive and in situ. The main features of the vascular system in particular should be carefully worked out at this stage. If the circulation becomes sluggish through cooling a little warm salt solution
should be added but care must be taken not to bring about a great
and sudden rise of temperature as in this case the greatly accelerated
heart-beat is apt to cause rupture of a vessel.
The body of the embryo, allantois, ete., are covered over by the
thin transparent serous membrane or false amnion as becomes
apparent if the attempt is made to push a blunt needle down into
the space round the allantois. This membrane should either be cut
thrpugh with a pair of fine scissors, just outside the boundary of the
allantois, or carefully stripped off with fine forceps. When this has
been done it is possible to shift the body of the embryo into such a
position that it with its blood-vessels can be observed in side view.
Until this has been done it is impossible to get a proper view of the
body of a well-developed embryo of this age owing to its dipping
down out of sight into the yolk-sac.
The embryo should now be excised by cutting round outside the
boundary of the vascular area and floated into a watch-glass of clean
warm salt solution. The embryo may now be studied as a transparent object on the stage of the dissecting microscope. It is better
1 Bearing in mind that steel needles must not be allowed to touch corrosive sublimate solutions. Picric acid solutions are convenient fixing agents to use for D
and E.
X TECHNICAL DIRECTIONS 513
however in the first attempt to proceed at once to fix the embryo.
An essential preliminary is to remove the true amnion which closely
ensheaths the body of the embryo. In doing this it is best to commence at the region between the heart and the tip of the head where
a couple of fine needles may be used to tear the amnion. Its anterior
portion may then be seized with fine forceps and pulled backwards
over the embryo’s head. The operation is simplified by carrying it
out immediately after submerging the embryo in fixing fluid as the
action of the fluid makes the amnion slightly opaque and therefore
more easily visible. - If however corrosive sublimate be the fixing
fluid fine splinters of coverslip should be used for dissecting off
the amnion unless this is done prior to immersing in the fixing fluid.
The embryo should again be carefully studied during the process of
fixation, many details becoming particularly distinct before the
creature becomes completely opaque. Finally the embryo should be
studied, preferably with the binocular, as an opaque object, and then
prepared either for section cutting or for mounting whole.
VII. SIX l)AYs.——Open freely into the air-space. Carefully tear
away part of its inner wall so as to expose part of the vascular area,
great care being taken 11ot to injure the latter. Notice the direction
in which the vessels of the vascular area converge: this will indicate
the direction in which the embryo is to be. found. Work towards
the embryo, picking off the shell piece by piece, using blunt
forceps. Frequently the escape of the air from the air-space allows
the vascular area to sink down and leave a wide space between
it and the shell membrane. In other cases however it remains in
close contact with the shell membrane and in this event the greatest
care must be taken not to injure the vascular area as by doing so
the very fluid yolk is allowed to escape and the salt solution rendered
so opaque that observation of the embryo in situ is made almost
impossible.
Notice that the allantois has increased much in size, that it has
become richly vascular and that it is spreading outwards in a mushroom-like manner underneath the serous membrane. It has already
spread so far as to cover the embryo nearly completely.
It is best new to remove the shell entirely and to examine its
contents as they lie submerged in the warm salt solution (as shown
in Fig. 242).
With fine sharp scissors cut through the serous membrane just
outside the limit of the allantois, commencing on the dorsal side of
the embryo where the allantois is not yet closely applied to the yolksac. It is easy to do this owing to the coelomic cavity having spread
outwards well beyond the limits of the allantois. The allantois being
new no longer flattened out, by its continuity with the serous membrane all round, its vesicular character becomes apparent, as well as
the difference in character of the vascular network on its proximal
and distal walls. The relations of the vascular allantoic stalk to the
vascular yolk-stalk should be noted: also the fact that the amnion is
VOL. II 2 L
514 EMBRYOLOGY 01*‘ THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.
now widely separated from the embryonic body by secreted amniotic
fluid. If the embryo is a well-advanced one towards the end of the
sixth day the amnion, which is now muscular, may exhibit periods of
muscular contraction during which the embryo is rocked to and fro
in the amniotic fluid. These movements must be distinguished from
the occasional contractions of the muscles of the embryonic body
which also occur about this time though they are much less
conspicuous.
After a careful study of the living embryo with the allantois and
yolk-sac hanging from its ventral side it may be excised along with
a circle of vascular area, floated into a watch-glass and examined
alive with a lens or binocular, and then treated with fixing fluid such
as Bouin’s solution. The latter brings out the surface modelling which
should be carefully studied especially in the region of the gill clefts.
Dissect off the amnion, add more fixing fluid and after superficial
fixation renew the llouin’s solution. It is a good plan to suspend the
embryo by the yolk-sac so that the weight of the head causes the
neck to become somewhat straightened. After the embryo is
sufficiently fixed the neck may be cut through and the lower surface
of the head studied for the relations of the olfactory rudiments and
mouth.
Sagittal sections through the head are particularly instructive
at this stage.
VIII. SEGMEN'l‘A'l‘ION.——T0 obtain segmentation stages hens which
are regular layers should be chosen. In such cases the egg is laid at
a slightly later time on consecutive days. As a rule egg-laying is
confined to the forenoon and early afternoon and when an egg is due
after the end of this period it is retained within the oviduct and not
laid until next day. The retention of an egg in this way inhibits
the process of the ovulation so that a new egg is not shed from the
ovary until the preceding one has been laid.
HISTORY or THE Eco UP TD run TIME or LAYING:--The egg
arises as a single cell of the left ovary 1 which grows to a relatively
enormous size as yolk is deposited in its cytoplasm. The yolk is of
a characteristic yellow colour but in particular tracts the disintegration of its granules into finer particles gives it a white colour. Of
this white yolk a mass occupying the centre of the egg is continuous
through a narrow isthmus with a tract lying immediately beneath
the germinal disc (“ Nucleus of Pander ”) and this latter is prolonged
as a thin superficial layer over the surface of the egg. Between the
superficial layer and the central mass are a number of thin concentric layers of white yolk.
‘ The right ovary and oviduct which are present in early stages undergo atrophy,
never becoming functional. This is probably to be regarded as an ada tive arrangement which has been developed in Vertebrates with large eggs to avoi the dangers
which would be involved in the synchronous passage of a pair of eggs of great size,
more especially if contained in a rigid shell, into the narrow terminal portion of the
passage to the exterior. '
x ‘EGG or COMMON FOWL 515
As the egg increases in size it bulges out beyond the surface of
the ovary, becoming eventually dependent from the ovary by a thin
stalk at the end of which it is enclosed within the distended follicle.
The wall of this is richly vascular except on the side away from the
stalk where an elongated patch—the “stigma ”--marks the position
in which the follicle-wall will rupture to set the egg free.
When this process (ovulation) is about to take place the thin
membranous lips of the oviducal funnel become active, apply themselves to the follicle containing the ripe egg and grip it tightly. The
follicle then ruptures and the egg is as it were swallowed by the
oviducal funnel. Within the funnel fertilization takes place provided that spermatozoa are present.‘
The egg proceeds now to travel slowly down the oviduct, propelled
onwards by the peristaltic contraction of the oviducal wall, the entire
passage occupying about 22
hours. As it does so the
albumen is deposited on its
surface by the secretory activity
of the oviducal epithelium. The
first to be deposited is rather
denser than that formed subsequently. It forms a sheath
immediately outside the vitelline membrane and extending
in tapering spindle-like fashion
for some distance up and down F'<=- 323
U nincubated egg of the Fowl.
the oviducal cavity; the two a.s, air-space; alb, albumen; ch, clialaza; s.m,
- , 3 _ ‘ shell membrane. In the centre-—at the apical pole-prolongatlons a’r(" flu” chalazae is seen the germinal disc with the white “Nucleus of
  Puiulv-1"‘showingllwough it‘.
The envelope of (‘louse albumen enclosing the egg is not merely propelled onwards; it also
undergoes a clockwise rotation about the axis along which it is
travelling, caused probably by the cilia present on the oviducal
epithelium.’ Owing to the prolongations of the albumen in front
and in rear of the egg not undergoing this rotation the chalazae
become twisted upon themselves in opposite directions.
Layer after layer of albumen (Fig. 223, alb) is deposited round
the egg and chalazae until the full size is reached. The character of
the secretion then changes and the shell membrane (Fig. 223, 3.-m)
is formed. Finally in the dilatedhinder part of the oviduct (“uterus”)
the secretion is in the form of a thick white fluid which, deposited on
the surface of the shell membrane, gradually takes the form of the
hard and rigid shell perpetuating the characteristically “oval”
form impressed upon the egg envelopes during the passage down the
oviduct. In composition the egg-shell consists of calcium salts
infiltrating a slight organic basis of keratin-like material. Structur
1 The spermatozoa remain alive and active within the oviduct for a period of about
three weeks.
516 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH. X
ally the greater part of its thickness consists of calcareous trabeculae
forming a fine sponge work. The inner surface of the shell is rough,
projecting into minute conical papillae, while the outer surface is
covered by a smooth apparently structureless layer perforated by
numerous fine pores.
SEGMEN'1‘ATION.——If the egg has been fertilized it proceeds with
its development as it slowly travels down the oviduct. The process
of segmentation is accomplished during this period and consequently
the obtaining segmentation stages involves the sacrifice of the parent
hens. Owing to the difficulties in the way of obtaining a complete
series our knowledge remained for long fragmentary but recently (1910)
a number of stages have been described and figured by Patterson
which give a fairly complete picture of the process (Fig. 224). From
these data we may take it that the early phases of segmentation are
based on the normal plan where a meridional furrow appears traversing, or passing close to, the centre of the germinal disc ’i.6. the apical
pole of the egg, and is followed by a second meridional furrow
perpendicular to the first. In the third phase there is occasionally a
regular set of four vertical furrows but more usually the process now
becomes irregular (Fig. 224, C). In the next phase also there may
be a fairly regular development of latitudinal furrows demarcating a
group of about eight cells round the apical pole but typically there
is no such regularity.
The initial furrows, which make their appearance as above indicated, gradually extend. They eat their way downwards into the
thickness of the germinal disc,-never however cutting completely
through it. They also extend outwards towards the edge of
the disc which however again they never quite reach. The apparent
segments into which the germinal disc is mapped out by the
early furrows are therefore not really isolated from one another
——there being still continuity between the segments on the one
hand peripherally and on the other on the lower side of the disc
next the yolk.
Complete blastomeres are first marked off when, about the time
the latitudinal furrows appear, division planes make their appearance
parallel to the surface, cutting off the small segments in the centre
from the underlying deep layer of the germinal disc.
The later stages of segmentation are quite irregular. Division
planes make their appearance in all directions by which the germinal
disc becomes completely divided up into small segments except on
its lower surface and round its edge where there remains a syncytial
mass in which the nuclei divide without their division being followed
by any protoplasmic segmentation. It is to be noted that the process
of segmentation throughout goes on more actively towards the centre
of the disc, more slowly towards its margin, so that the blastoderm
comes to be composed of smaller cells towards the centre and larger
towards the periphery.
The result of the segmentation process is that the original
FIG. 2'24.———Views of the blastoderm of the F0\vl'.~: egg during segmentation.
(Afher Pa.1..tei-son, 1910.)
 
A, 3 hours after fertilization ; IL 5}, In s. ; U, 4 In-:~'. ; J), 4-5 hrs. ; E, about .-3 hrs. ; l , .5111-s. ;
(L 7 }n'.~:. : H, 8 hrs. .
518 _EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES en.
germinal disc comes to be represented by a lenticular blastoderm
lying at the apical pole of the egg and corresponding to the mass of
micromeres of such a holoblastic egg as that of Lepidostren. The
superficial layer of cells become fitted closely together and form a
definite epithelium——which is destined to become the ectoderm. The
cells of the lower layers on the other hand are rounded with chinks
between them representing the segmentation cavity. The lowest of
all have the appearance of being incompletely cut oil from what is
ordinarily termed the white yolk lying below them but which is really
a syncytial layer" full of fine granules of yolk and with scattered
nuclei.
Apparently a few accessory sperm nuclei are usually present in
the fertilized eggs and faint traces of abortive segmentation may be
visible round them (of. Elasmohranch, Fig. 8, B *, p. 14).
At the time of laying the blastoderm forms a small whitish disc
covering the apical pole ot' the egg. Sections show it to consist of an
upper layer of ectoderm and of a lower layer consisting of numerous
rounded micromeres lying about in the fluid of the segmentation
cavity. These micromeres become larger towards the lower face of
the blastoderm and they are more crowded together round the
periphery. _
It must not be supposed that all newly-laid eggs show exactly
the same degree of development. As a matter of fact great variation
occurs, one of the chief variable factors probably being the length of
time occupied in the passage down the oviduct. Where this time is,
longer, as e.g. towards the end of the laying season, the stage of
development of the egg when laid is more advanced.
THE FIRST DAY or l"NcUeA'_r1oN.——After the egg has been laid the
lowering of the temperature leads to such a slowing of its vital
processes that development appears to come to a standstill. If kept
at a'low temperature it retains its vitality for‘ a considerable period
but makes no appreciable advance in development. If the temperature be raised by incubation the developmental processes are at once
accelerated and comparatively rapid changes come about. The
blastoderm increases in size, its margin spreading outwards, and at the
same time there comes about a distinct difference in appearance
between its central and marginal parts-the central portion assuming
a dark transparent appearance (pellucid area) which contrasts
strongly with the whiter “opaque area” surrounding it. - The
examination of sections at once explains this difference in appearance:
the more opaque appearance peripherally is seen to be due to the
lower layer cells being there closely crowded together.
An important change soon comes over the lower layer cells,
in as much as those next to the yolk, in the region underlying
the pellucid area, lose their rounded shape, become somewhat
flattened and adhere together edge to edge to form a continuous
membrane-—the (secondary) endoderm. This appears first beneath
the posterior poi tion of the pellucid area; it gradually extends
x FOWL—--FIRST DAY’ 1 519
FIG. 225.-~111ustrating three stages of the blastoderm of the Fowl during the second half
of the first day of incubation.
;
a..o, opaque area; mp, pellucid area; lap, head process; mes, boundary of sheet of mesoderin;
m.f, medulla:-y fold ; p.g, primitive groove ; 12.3, primitive streak.
forwards and outwards, and eventually is continuous all round with
the thickened marginal part of the b1astoderm.1
1 This thickening of the posterior edge of the blastoderm presents in sagittal
section a. striking resemblance to a. gastrular lip growing back over the yolk and
Patterson (1907) believes that an actual process of involution-—a reminiscence of
gastrnlation by inva ination--takes place, It must not be forgotten that any
explanation of such 0 scure developmental “phenomena. in Birds must, to be reliable,520 EMBRYOLOG-Y ()l<‘ '_l‘Hln‘ LUWEJ-t VEl~‘tTEBRATES an.
A gradual change takes plzme in the shape of the pellucid area
which, up till now circular, a.ssuim,-s an oval or pear shape (Fig.
225, B)——the long axis perpendicular to the long axis of the eggshell, and the narrow end being next the observer when the broad
end of the egg-shell is to the left. This narrow end may be called
posterior from its relations to the rudiment. of the embryo which
appears later. Together with the gradual change in the shape of the
pellucid area there takes place the development of the primitive.
streak. This makes its appearance usually during the first half of
the first day of incubation, as a linear opacity stretching forwards
along the long axi.s of the pellucid area in its posterior third. As the
first day of incubation goes“ on the primitive streak becomes more
and more distinct. A longitudinal groove develops along its
middle———the primitive groove-—while on each side of this it forms a
ridge, the primitive fold.
If a number of eggs be examined du.ring the first day of incubation
 
  ,_m.g»,    n
  rgzasa.
FIG. 2‘26.—-Transverse section through primitive streak of the Fowl.
eat, vet-oderm ; vi-mi, 1-ndoderm; mes, mesoderm; 12.;/, primitive groove.
it will be seen that the primitive streak, as is commonly the case
with vestigial organs, shows extreme variability. More especially its
hinder end is commonly bent to one side or the other, or even
bifurcates into two branches. At its front end one or both halves of
the primitive streak swell up into a slight knob while the primitive
groove becomes somewhat deeper and wider.
The primitive streak is shown by transverse section to originate
from a linear tract of ectoderm along which the cells are undergoing
rapid proliferation, as is indicated by the relatively numerous mitotic
nuclei. The cells budded off by the ectoderm are aggregated
together in a compact mass along the course of the primitive streak
while on each side they become loosened out and wander away into
the space between ectoderm and endoderm to take part in forming
the sheet of mesoderm.
1-;_.:-: L .——r-—.—:-—
~——-:jw—j— -f
rest on a firm basis of knowledge of Reptilian development. At the present time
however our knowledge of the exact relationship of these clevelopniental stages of
Birds to the corresponding stages of Reptiles is not in the present writer’s opinion
adequate to form a trustworthy basis for their interpretation.
FOVVL ———FIRS'l‘ DAY 521
H
For a short distance in- the region of its front end the mass of
cells forming the primitive streak is continuous not only with the
ectoderm but with the endoderm as well: the primitive streak of
this region may be defined as a tract along which there is cellular
continuity between the ectoderm and the endoderm.
During the latter half of the first day what is known as the
“ Head process ” makes its appearance (Fig. 225, B, lap). In a view
of the whole blastoderm this has the appear‘-aiice of being a somewhat
less distinct prolongation forwards of the primitive streal<——-in front
of the knob which marks its apparent front end. 'l‘he study of
transverse sections shows that the so-called head process is exactly
similar in structure to the primitive streak immediately behind it,
except that it is separated fr cm the overlying ectoderm by a distinct
split and that there are no primitive folds or primitive groove
over it. On its lower side there is perfect continuity with the
endoderm—-— as is the case with the anterior part of the obvious
primitive streak into which it is continued.
During the same period of incubation there appears the first
sign of the surface relief of the body of the embryo in the form
of what is known as the head fold (Fig. 227, A, h. f). This is
formed by the blastoderm bulging upwards and forwards, forming a
projection bounded in front by a steep face crescentic in shape as
seen from above, the two horns of the crescent directed backwards.
The projection increases in prominence: its front edge soon comes to
overhang, the blastoderm becoming tucked underneath it both in front
and at the sides, the two horns of the crescent which the fold formed
at its first appearance gradually extending farther and farther backwards. The projection is destined to give rise to the head end of the
embryo and there are certain important details to be noticed about
its structure which can be made out best by the study of sagittal
sections.
The region of the blastoderm where the head fold develops is
composed of the two primary layers, ectoderm and endoderm, the
mesoderm not yet having spread into it. It follows that the head
rudiment has a double wall, its outer sheath of ectoderm enclosing an inner wall, quite similar in shape, composed of endoderm.
It will be understood that this inner wall of endoderm is continued
at its hind end into the flattened layer of endoderm which lies on the
surface of the yolk. In other words the endoderm within the head
rudiment may be described as forming a very short wide tube, blind
anteriorly but opening behind into the yolk. This endodermal tube
is the rudiment of the front part of the endodermal lining of the
alimentary canal of the adult and is termed the foregut.
Soon after the commencement of the formation of the head fold
the ectoderm of the medullary plate becomes raised up into a longitudinal ridge (Fig. 227, A, m. f) upon each side of the median line.
Between the two ridges is a groove——the medullary groove: the
ridges themselves are the medullary folds: the two medullary folds
F10. 227.—Fow1 embryos at about the end of the first day of incubation seen by reflectcd light.
5-6 segments. cr..p, pellucid area‘ aw, vascular area; f.g, foregut; h.j, head; m.f, medulla:-y fold; m..c, nnesoder-n1
A, 3 mesoderm segments; B, no segments yet demamcated; 0,
segments ; p.a, proamniun ; p.g, primitive groove; 11.3, pximitive st.reaLk.
CH. X FOWL--FIRST DAY 523
are continuous anteriorly. The two medullary folds gradually extend
backwards and at the same time they become more prominent and arch
over towards one another until at about the end of the first day they
meet. It is to be _noticed (h‘ig.‘227, B) that the first meeting of the
medullary folds is some little distance back from their anterior
end, in about the position in which the division between mesencephalon and rhomhencephalon will develop later. Towards their
anterior end the folds remain less prominent than they are farther
back with the result that the meeting of the two folds is here con—
siderably delayed.
During these later hours of the first day important advances are
taking place in the development of the mesoderm. In the first place
it is to be noted that the anterior limit of this layer is gradually
extending forwards, encroaching more and more upon the proanmion
——the part of the blastoderm in front of the head fold which is still
two layered. In the second place the mesoderm becomes considerably
thickened and more compact in the region near the median 1ine———
adjacent to the head process or notochord. This thickened portion of
the mesoderm becomes divided by transverse splits into a series of
blocks——thc mesoderm segments——lying one behind the other (Fig. 227,
A and C, m.s). The first pair of splits to make their appearance are
placed obliquely, sloping outwards and backwards: they mark the
hind boundary of the first or most anterior segment. A little later
a pair of similar splits develop a little farther back forming the
hinder limit of the second segment, and so on, segment after segment
becoming separated oil’ from the still continuous mesoderm lying
farther back.
While this portion of the mesoderm is becoming segmented it is
at the same time becoming sharply marked off by its greater thickness
from the lateral mesoderm lying farther out from the axis. Towards
the end of the first day at further important development takes place in
the mesoderm in as much as isolated splits appear in it parallel to its
surface and these gradually spread and finally become continuous so
as to divide the mesoderm into the outer somatic layer next the
ectoderm and the inner splanchnic next the endoderm. The cavity
which has made its appearance between somatic and splanchnic layers
of mesoderm-is the coelome. The portion lying within the myotome,
which soon becomes filled up by immigrant cells derived from its
wall, is the myocoele (Fig. 228, me). The portion lying farther out,
in the lateral mesoderm, is the splanchnocoele (splc). The two layers
lying external to this cavity——the somatic mesoderm and the ectoderm
—constitute the somatopleure or body-wall: the corresponding layers
lying internal to the cavity-—the splanchnic mesoderm and the endoderm——-constitute the splanchnopleure or gut-wall.
While the changes above described have been taking place the
blastoderm has constantly been increasing in area and by the end of
the first day it forms a cap covering an extent of about 90° at the
upper pole of the egg. In the opaque area—--the part of the blaste524 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
derm lying outside the boundary of the pellucid area---there are
present the same layers of cells as in the pellucid area-—-the ectoderm,
which extends. farthest peripherally, the endoderm which passes into
«W thick ¥°1kSYI1cWe1layer vermherallv <2ermina1 wall. and the
  s A v           
   
 
 
 
flu “L * n’
L1 1
Flu. 2‘28.—-'I‘1‘ansVerse section through the bocl y of a Fowl embryo about the end of the
tiist day of incubation.
c.
act, cctoderm; end, endodurm; me, myocoele; my, myotomu (lll6S0(lCI‘ll1 segment); N, notochord;
'n.'r, neural rudiment; som, somatopleure; spl, splanclnioplenre; splc, splzmclmocoele.
mesoderm the outer part of which is still unpenetrated by the
coelomic split. The part of the opaque area where inesoderm is
present assumes a very characteristic mottled appearance (Fig. 227,
0, (M2) caused by the rudiments of blood-vessels and blood: hence
the name vascular area which is given to this part of the blaste
derm. When the embryo has reached the stage with about seven
inesoderni segments the secretion
of fluid (plasma) commences within
the blood islands.
13313 Saconn DAY or INCUBATIQN:
opened during the second day of
incubation is seen in Fig. 229. The
blastoderm has increased considerably in size and now covers about
110". The pellucid area has assumed
a somewhat fiddle-like shape.
On examining the excised blastederm about the commencement of
this day it is seen that the formation
of the head fold has progressed considerably and the head rudiment
projects more conspicuously above
the general level of the blastoderm. Within the head rudiment
the foregut can be seen and it is noticeable that it stretches
farther back than does the outer wall of the head rudiment. . In
other words the head fold of the endoderm has spread farther back
FIG. ‘2‘29.~—-Egg of the Fowl about the
middle of the second day of incubation.
a..o, circular opaque area.
the dark pellucid area, with the rudiment of
the embryonic body lying along its axis.
In the centre is
-——The cg;-,ne1~a1 appearance of an seoegggi
X F OWL-—SECON D DAY 525
than that of the ectoderm. This is brought out clearly by a sagittal
section such as that shown in Fig. 230. Such a section a.lso brings
out the fact that while the greater part of the portion of blastoderm
tucked in beneath the head of the embryo is two-layered (proamnion),
there being no mesoderm present, this does not apply to the farthest
back part of the fold. Here, in the wide space between cctoderm and
endoderm, mesoderm has penetrated which will give rise to the pericardiac wall and the heart. The medullary folds have met over a '
considerable extent but still remain separate at their extreme front
ends as well as over the whole extent which will later form the
spinal cord. Here they bound a deep neural groove. Towards their
posterior ends the two medullary folds diverge to pass on either side
of a lance—shaped area (rhomboidal sinus) which they enclose by
converging towards one another behind it. Along the centre of the
 
 
Flu. 230.»-Diagrairiiiiatic sagittal section through anterior end of Fowl embryo
with 15 segiiieiits.
am, rudiment of amnion; hr, brain ; er!-, ectmle-rm ; um.-, endocai-dinm; end, endoderm of yolk-sac;
_/15;, l'm'v_~,r11t2 h._/‘, p0n'l'-i'I‘l')1' limit or lH.':ul rum of uctoderm; mo, myocardinm; N, notochord; pa,
ect.-o«‘lm-In of pm.-nnninn ; -vile, split!|(7lI1I()(1()Ble.
floor of the rhomboidal sinus the primitive streak is still_ visible
separated by a knob—li.l<e elevation from the part of the primitive
streak which lies farther back.
The mottled appearance characteristic of the vascular area is
now seen to be continued inwards, though much more faint, across
the pellucid area to the body of the embryo.
An embryo with about ten segments is shown in Fig. 231.
The pellucid area is still somewhat fiddle-shaped with the body
of the embryo lying along its axis. Apart from the increase
in number of the mesoderm segments the most conspicuous
advances in development are in the central nervous system. The
medullary folds have met and fused together to enclose the neural
tube except towards their hind ends where they still bound the
rhoinboidal sinus on each side. The forebrain region is greatly dilated,
its projection on each side being the optic rudiment (am). It will
be noticed that a slight notch in its wall in the mesial plane anteriorly
indicates that at this point the two neural folds have even yet not
526 EM]-3[{.'Y(ie)l'.O(‘:i-Y 01*‘ THE LOWER VERTEBRATES (:11.
completely fused. Posteriorly the neural folds seem to be continuous
with the lips of the primitive groove. A faint continuation forwards
of the primitive groove may be seen in the floor of the rhomboidal
s1nus.
 
Flu. 231.~-Bla.stml¢_-1'In with l"m\'l .wJl"1J]..‘.‘| will: :n.bm|t l() or ll 1m__e.~'(_)«lt.'-.1'n1 .«-;_;'111u11l-:4.
am, Vtl.s‘(:lll1ll':lI‘o-.1 ; _/'._:/, fur-e;;I11.: la, Imiul : m.‘/1, ma-«lnll:n'_\' rule! ; m..~:. rm-:-.mlerIn .\'I'_4_1_'lll6l|t-2
u./', upliv l'lllllllH_'lll.I /W. ]rmunminn.
Important mesoderrn features are to he noticed. The mottled
appearance of the vascular area produced by the rudiments of bloodvessels developing in the splauchnic mesoderin is conspicuous. The
formerly isolated vascular rudiments (white in the figure) are now
becoming joined up to form a network and the network can be traced
—less distinct and on a smaller scale—-across the pellucid area. At
x . 'i_«‘oWI._.sil«:(":(_)N1) DAY 527
its anterior and inner corner the network is continuous with a short
and wide vessel which slopes obliquely forwards and inwards and
disappears beneath the hind end of the foregut (shown more clearly
in Fig. 232, 72.22). This vessel is the rudiment of the vitelline vein,
which drains the blood from the vascular area towards the heart.
Another conspicuous vessel rudiment is the terminal sinus-a
marginal vessel which bounds the vascular area externally. In front
of the head of the embryo is a somewhat rectangular area of the
blastoderm distinguished by its being very transparent (Fig. 232, pa).
This is the proamnion—- -its transparency being due to the fact that
FIG. 232.~-—--llmul oi" l“u\vl «-mhr_\'0 of smm-. Hiilgif as that s'hu\\'n in Fig. 231, more
highly inugnilieil and Ht-‘vll by tnuus-initlwl liglit..
f.g, foregut; 1!, heart: h.._/',himlerlimil ofhcml fold ()fvC.l'(_)¢ll'l‘lll; inf, infumlibnlnm; m..s, mesoderm
segments; N, notochord; 0.7-, optic rmliuu-nt: ,.u, ]nn:unniuIl ; splc, patent portion of splanchnocoele
containing coelomic fluid; -mi. vitellim-. \ win.
the mesoderm has not yet spread into this region of the blastoderm.
On each side of the head of the embryo the surface of the blastoderm
bulges upwards into a dome-like swelling (Fig. 232, splc). This is
due to a precocious splitting of the mesoderm in this region to form a
large coelomic space. The bulging appearance is produced by the
coelomic space being tensely filled with fluid. The raising up of this
region of somatopleure is preliminary to the formation of the head
fold of the amnion.
By turni.ng over the excised blastoderm and examining it from
below or by staining and then examining it in dorsal view by transmitted light (Fig. 232) it will be seen that between the two coelomic
spaces there lines a A-sha_pe<.l structure. The two diverging limbs of
528 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
the A posteriorly are the vitelline veins already alluded to (cw),
While the median portion (H)——a straight tube passing forwards
beneath the foregut-—is the rudiment of the heart and ventral
aorta. It will be noticed that the two vitelline veins when traced
backwards from the heart are seen to fit round the tunnel-like
opening of the foregut. In the forcbrain region is seen the
downwardly projecting pocket of its floor—the infundibulum (Fig.
232, v}nf)———and extending -back from this in the middle line the
notochord (IV). On each side of this posteriorly are seen the mesoderm segments (m.s).
In a slightly more advanced embryo with about fifteen mesoderm
segments the tucking in of the blastoderm under the head has
proceeded considerably further. The neural tube has become closed
in entirely except for the slit-like remnant of the rhomboidal sinus
posteriorly. The optic rudiments projecting prominently from the
forebrain on each side and beginning to be narrowed slightly at
their base give the brain a conspicuous T-shape. The wall of the
brain in its posterior region shows a series of puckerings one behind
the other marking it off into a series of what used to be called brain
“ vesicles.” Of these the anterior one, the largest and most distinct,
is destined to become the niesencephalon while those behind it enter
into the formation of the rhombencephalon. The latter are often
interpreted as vestiges of a once present segmentation of the brain,
but are regarded by the author of this volume as being adequately
accounted for by the active growth of the l.rain within its confined
space, aided possibly by the varying consistency of the mesenchyme
outside it (see p. 101).
On each side of the head region posteriorly, just in front of the
first.obvious mesoderm segment, the rudiment of the otocyst has
made its appearance as a cup-like depression of the ectoderm.
The heart, growing in length more rapidly than the neighbouring
parts of the body, has been forced into its characteristic bulging
outward on the right side. The first traces of haemoglobin are
making their appearance in the posterior portion of the vitelline
network.
An important new feature becomes visible about this stage in
the form of a whitish line on the bulging roof of the splanchnocoele
on each side. The lines in front curve in towards one another,
meeting in front of the proamnion and sweeping back in a wide
curve on each side. This line is the first rudiment of the amniotic
fold. As the fold becomes more and more prominent it bends
backwards and inwards, arching over the head region, and towards
the end of the second day (Fig. 233) forming the anmiotic hood
which ensheaths the head portion of the embryo.
Many of the important details in the structure of the second
day blastoderm can only be made out by the study of series of
transverse sections. In studying the stage new under consideration
it is advisable to begin with a section taken from about the middle of
x ‘ FOWL—~——SECOND DAY 529
the total length of the embryo such as that represented in Fig. 234A.
The blastoderm some little distance away from the median line of the
embryo is seen to consist of the usual two double 1ayers——-the somatop1eure(som) composed of ectoderm and somatic mesoderm and the
splanchnopleure (spl) composed of splanchnic mesoderm and endo
FIG. 233.-—Blastoderm and embryo Fowl with 18 mesoderm segments.
u,.e, hackgrowing edge of amniotic hood; asp, pellucid area; um, vascular area; 1!, heart;
of, 0t0(‘,_yst,; sa, sero-amniotic connexion.
derm. In immediate contact with the lower surface of the endoderm
in the complete egg there would be the yolk. I'n the splanchnic
mesoderm overlying the endoderm are seen the blood-vessels of the
vascular area. When traced inwards towards the mesial plane the two
layers of mesoderm are seen to come together to formthe narrow protovertebral stalk or nephrotome which joins up the lateral mesoderm to
VOL. 11 . A 2M
530 ']+3MBRY()L()GY or THE Lowm: \’l~}1t5lTfil+}J.:itATES en.
the mesodei-in segment. Immediately above the nephrotome, between
it and the cctoderm, is seen the rudiment of the arehinephric du.ct-——a rod of cells which is gradually extending tailwards. i
In the centre of the section is the neural tube (s.c) with its thick
walls and the solid notochordal rudiment (N) -lying immediately
FIG. 234A.——Transverse section through the middle of El .*i('(‘.(')nIl~(l:l}-‘ Fowl embryo
' (15 segments).
4, p.-iiretl dorsal aorta; a..n.d, fll‘Clllllf‘])lll‘l('f duct; eat, t-(‘totlvrni : end, u-n«l0tl(‘,1‘ln ; my, myotome;
N, notoeliord; s.c, spinal cord ; .~'u‘m, somatnpleure; spl, splam-hnopla.-m'e; .s-pin, splanclmoeoele.
below it. The blood-vessel (A) on each side between nephrotome
and endoderm is the dorsal aorta which is at this stage double.
Working back towards the tail end of the embryo it is seen that
subsequent sections show less and less advancedstages of development
FIG. 2343.-Transverse section through a second-day Fowl embryo jllst lwliiml the binder
limit of the l'(')1‘e;,5l1t.
A, dorsal aorta; and, endoderm; -‘my, myotome; N, not.oeho1.-d; .-.r_.-, spinal em-cl ; min, somatoploure;
Sp], splanchnopleure; .~.-plc, splanehum-oele; r, \"('_5.‘€."~‘.(!l.\' ()f\'asc||I:1[‘;1rea,
in concordance with the fact that development proceeds from the
head end tailwards. Thus the neural tube opens out by the slit—like
rhomboidal sinus; the archinephric duct disappears; the notechord
passes back into the undilferentiated tissue of the primitive streak.
On the other hand the examination of sections farther forward
towards the head region brings into view various important further
developments. Such a section as that shown in Fig. 23413 illustrates
x  Fo_wL.....sEooNn DAY 531
clearly an early stage in the folding off of the foregut from the
cavity of the yolk-sac-——a fold of splanchnopleure growing inwards on
each side below what will become the foregut. The large vessels
seen in the splanchnopleure external to the fold just mentioned are
tributaries of the vitelline veins, and a few sections farther forwards
they would be found to be united together to form the main vitelline
vein on each side.
As the series of sections is traced forwards the two folds
of the splanchnopleure are seen to approach one another and
finally to meet and undergo fusion, so that there now exists a
foregut cavity shut off (as seen in transverse ._section) from the
yolk-sac, the walls of the two structures being still connected by a
median vertical partition formed by the fusion of the endoderm from
FIG. 2340.~—Transverse S(‘.(‘.t-iml of a .~u-cowl-day Fowl embryo pa-1..<siiig through
the I'udiment of the ll(‘iU.'l.
A, dorsal aorta : «l.nu°, 1l()l'H:ll Im-snmmliuiii 1 rm". l‘lIIl()l'L'l.l'|lllllll : crud, cnclorlc-rm : jig/, foregut; ma,
myocardium; s.c, spimil cord; so.m, smiiatic nic.-‘ode’-rin; sp.m. spluncliiiiu ino.<o(lo'1'1ii; split, splanclb
nocoele; v.m«_-, \'t'-ntl‘£ll mcsocardium.
the two sides. A little farther forward this partition disappears
from ‘the section and the foregut as seen in section (l*‘.ig'. 2340) is
quite isolated from the endoderm of the yolk-sac wall. The vitelline
veins have also fused to form the tubular heart. It is seen that the
splanchnic inesoderni ensheaths the endothelial wall of the heart
(em) on each side and that where it -does so it is somewhat thickened
(me) as compared with the same layer in the region overlying the
yolk“-sac. This localized thickening of the splanchnic inesoderm is
destined to give rise to the entire thickness of the heart wall except
the lining endothelium. It is seen to be continuous with the extracardiac portions of the splanchnic mesoderm by the dorsal (d.mc)
and ventral Inesocardium (mnc).
Traced forwards through the series of sections the heart is seen
to narrow in calibre as-it tapers off into the ventral aorta. Towards
its front end the latter gives off a large branch on each side which
532 EMBRYOL()(_}YOF THE LOWER VER’1‘EBPA'l.‘ES (:11.
passes outwards and upwards round the foregut to become continuous
with the dorsal aorta. These two hoop-like vessels which connect up
ventral and dorsal aortae are the first pair of aortic arches.
Still further forward the region of the forebrain and optic
rudiments is reached (Fig. 2341.)).
Owing to the folding oil‘ of the head rudiment the section of the
head itself a.pp1*a.1‘s cmnpletely detached from the blastoderm and the
latter is begiiining to form a depression which will later become
more marked and in which the head will lie. In the blastoderm it
s will be noticed how away on each side it shows the normal four layers
of cells——-ectoderm, somatic mesoderm, splanchnic inesoderm, endoderm—While on the other hand in the region 1i11_de1-lying‘ the head of
the embryo it is only two layered the mesoderm being here absent.
the Optic rudiments.
cot, ec.-tmlm-m : rm/, mulmlu-I-in ; /:H'S, nw.~:mu-liyiiie; n.r, optic. rudiment ; ,:u, pi-oanmion ;
splr, n‘];l.'u|('l|ll0C0!..'lI'; Hull, roof ofthalamencephalon.
This two-layered region of blastoderm is the proamnion before
alluded to.
The head itself is occupied almost entirely by the brain rudiinent
———the thalanieneephalon in the centre (tltal) continued outwards on
each side as the optic rudiment (oxr). For the most part the external
ectoderm is closely apposed to thesurface of the brain but dorsally
the former is commencing to recede from the latter, the space
between the two being occupied by mesenehy me (mes).
THE THIRD DAY or .lNCUI£A'rION.—During the later hours of the
second and earlier hours of the third day of incubation there take
place a number of important changes which render this period
perhaps the most i.nterest'ing of all to the morphologist. For the
student who is training llllll.S(..‘.ll" practically in the technique of
embryological observation tliem is no finer material than that
afi"orded by liinl embryos of about this :.1.g<: for l_o:1.1‘ning one of the
"most important parts of that technique namely the interpretation
of serial sections.
OWL--——SEC()N 1) ANI.) '.l.‘H’[R1) DAYb 533
It is mlvisable to make {L (;:.L1‘(3l"111 sbmly of the ana.t;omy of an
embryo of about; the Htztgia shnxvn 111 I919‘. 235 01‘ Ii-.’.f_’.(-3,1
Flu. 255.3. 'l'hir«l—«l:ty l*'u\\'l t‘|lliH'_\'u with thv \'u..~"u:1l1:n|':u"u.
u..r, o.-«L-"v ul' :1nminII‘. P5. I-_\'I'*: .‘.’, ln~:H'l; wt, u1uc_\'.w-t; .-.u. >'I'l‘0-flllllliutiv t'Ullll\‘_\iUl|; .~'.I, sinus
ternninali. ; I.‘/', Iziil-fnlulg ran. \'il».*llim- .-n'tc_*1-y; . ;u.n'l.iun u!’ splzuurhlmlalelu-v im-'0lnt.eil to form :1
rm-ass Inmul Llw he-:ul of the vInln'yn.
 
 
‘ It is custonmr_y In mmml. lI':1)1.w'\':)1'. 0 sections with the posterior or tai1\':rd surface
of the section next lilv sli.-In : nulls:-ql1t_‘lltiy the figures represvnt the sectinns as seen
frmn in front and Lhv sidu nl' '..:u'.h Iig1u'v tmv.-n-«is H11‘ ri;;l11-lnnici side ml‘ the pzige
c<2z't'e.~‘pn|u«ls tn the M't."hu.n«l side at" the crnlrryu.
534 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
On opening the egg it is at once seen that the blastoderm has
increased considerably in size, the outer limit of the opaque area
having spread downwards as far as about the equator of the egg.
The vascular area has also increased considerably and is still
bounded by the conspicuous terminal sinus which anteriorly turns
inwards and passes back parallel to the corresponding part of the
sinus of the other side to open into the vitelhne vein close to its
inner end. Of these two veins which run parallel to the long
axis of the embryo the right is reduced in size and eventually
disappears.
The yolk has assumed a more fluid consistency; the proportion
of white yolk has increased; the albumen has shrunk considerably
in volume, and the air space has increased correspondingly.
The free edge of the amniotic hood (Fig. 235, a.e) has grown
back so as to ensheath all the head and anterior trunk region of the
embryo. It follows that when examined in sritw. the front part of
the body is seen through two layers of somatopleure. Of these the
outer—the serous n1en1brane———forms a kind of roof which passes
outwards all round into the general blastoderm. The inner—the
true aInnion——c1osely invests the head end of the embryo and is
visible in profile as a sharp line immediately outside the outline of
the head itself. Anteriorly the amnion very often seems to be
prolonged into a sharp peak (Fig. 235, s.a): this is the sero-amniotic
connexion.
The free edge of the amniotic fold, somewhat arch-like in outline,
may die away posteriorly (Fig. 235) or it may be already continued
into the lateral and caudal parts of the fold (Fig. 236)——but even if
present these are still low and inconspicuous as compared with the
headward part of the fold.
As regards the body of the embryo it is seen that the folding off
of this from the yolk is proceeding rapidly. The head and anterior
part of the trunk project freely and, correlated with this and with
the ventral flexure of the head region, the latter has come to lie_
over on one side, usually the left, so that it is seen in profile when
the blastoderm is looked down upon from above. At the extreme
hind end the tail region is also seen to be in process of becoming
marked off from the blastoderm by a tail fold (Fig. 235, tj) of the
same nature as the head fold. Similarly the trunk region between
the regions of head and tail fold is becoming demarcated from the
blastoderm outside it by a lateral fold (Fig. 236).
The body of the embryo has increased considerably in length and
this growth in length is particularly active towards the dorsal. side
of the embryo where there is greater freedom from the clogging
effect of the yolk. The result of this difference in rate of growth
between dorsal and ventral sides is that those parts of the embryo
which are detached from the general blastoderm assume a strong
flexure towards the ventral side. This is particularly pronounced in
the head region, the head being completely bent upon itself so that
x I FOWL--THIRD DAY 535
the front end of the brain is reversed in position, what was its
ventral side having come to be dorsal. 
The mesoderm segments have inc1'ea*‘ed in number there being
FIG. 236.—~Third-day "Fowl embryo (N o. 47) viewed as a transparent object.
cw, edge of amnion; am, amnion; E, eye; H, in-._a.rt;; m.s, mesoderm segments; ut, otocyst;
s, indications of preotic mesoderm segments ('9); u,a,, vltellino artery; me, visceral cleft II; *, portion
of splanchnopleure bulging downwards into the yolk, forming a recess in which lies the head of the
embryo.
'now about 25-30 metotic segments and those towards the anterior
end are showing a considerable amount of dorsiventral growth.
, In some embryos (Fig. 236) the ‘series of definitive mesoderm segments is continued far into the head region by what appear to
D36 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRA'.l‘.ES CH.
be the ghostly vestiges of formerly existing segments (see pp.
210,211)
The central nervous system has made important advances in
development. The brain shows a relatively large increase in size
‘as compared with the spinal cord : thalamencephalon, mesencephalon
and rhombencephalon are marked off by definite constrictions-—tl1e
mesencephalon being particularly prominent at the bend of the head.
The greater part of the roof of the rhombencephalon is assuming its
definitive thin membranous character. The three great organs of
special sense have made their appearance. The eye (E) forms a
large conspicuous cup-like structure lying at the side of the forebrain. Its rim is cleft ventrally by the choroid fissure (Fig. 236).
Its mouth is partially blocked by the round lens rudiment. The
otocyst (at) is also conspicuous—-—a pea_r-shaped sac, its narrow end
dorsal, lying at the side of the hind brain. The olfactory organ is
represented by a slight dimple of thickened eetoderm near the tip of
the head.
The side walls of the foregut are perforated by visceral clefts.
The series of these develop from before backwards and by this stage
three have commonly appeared—c1efts I, II, and III of the series.
It is perhaps the vascular system which shows the most interesting features during the third day. The heart is still in the form of
a simple tube, but its active growth in length has caused a great
increase in the curvature which was already pronounced about the
middle of the second day. Its y-like curvature is shown in Fig.
236. At its morphologically front end the heart is continued into
the .ventral aorta and this at its end gives off a series of vessels, the
aortic arches, which pass up round the sides of the foregut between
adjacent gill-clefts and open dorsally into the aortic root which lies
just dorsal to the clefts. Like the clefts themselves the aortic
arches develop in sequence from before backwards and by this stage
arches I, II, and III have made their appearance (Fig. 241, A).
At its front end the aortic root can be traced for some distance
into the head as the dorsal carotid artery (Fig. 241, A, d.c).
Posteriorly the two aortic roots become hidden from view by the
myotomes but the study of sections shows that they have here united
to form the unpaired dorsal aorta. Still farther back this vessel
again becomes paired and a little behind the point of bifurcation
each of the branches gives off a large vitclline artery (ea) which
passes outwards at right angles to the axis of the body to supply
the vascular area.
Of the venous system the most conspicuous components are the
great vitelline veins (Fig. 241, A, 72.7)) which, receiving numerous
branches from the vascular area, pass forwards converging towards
one another to form by their fusion the hind end of the heart.
Examination of the vascular area shows that the branches of the
vitelline arteries and of the veins accompany one another in their
ramifications. In the living condition, in which all these arrangements
.\' .I*‘OWL-.-----THIRD DAY 537
of the vascular system should be studied, the arteries are seen to be
more deeply coloured and more conspicuous than the veins. The
. two vitelline veins by their -fusion form the hind end of the tubular
heart and on tracing this forwards a. somewhat Y-shaped vessel is
seen opening into it laterally. The stalk of the Y which is very
short, though showing considerable variability within its limits, is
the right duct of Cuvicr (Fig. 2-11, A, d.C). The branches of the Y
are the cardinal veins. Of these the posterior (p.c.'v), coming from
the region of the kidneys, is only visible for a short distance, being
soon hidden as it is traced backwards beneath the myotomes. The
anterior cardinal vein (a.c.v_) on the other hand can be traced
forwards for a long distance into the head from which it drains the
blood back towards the heart. It will be noted that here in the
embryonic Bird we find exactly the same arrangement of main
veins—-—duct of Cuvier, anterior cardinal and posterior cardina1—as
F In. 237A.——'l‘ransverse sections through thircl-«lay Fowl (:lnln'_\'t_). (Partly based on figures
by Duval.) A, '|‘hrough the hinder part. of the trunk region.
A, dorsal aortne; um, annniotic folds ; «mi, «-ndoderm ; 'm._c/_. xnyotume ; s.«', spinal cord;
sum, sonmtoplenre ; spl, s]alams-lannplenre; splc, splanchnocoelt-r.
is characteristic of-the adult condition of lowly organized fish-like
Vertebrates.
For the study of such details of structure as cannot be made out
in the whole embryo the most useful sections are series cut transversely to the long axis of the trunk region. These should be
supplemented by series parallel to the sagittal plane in the head
region.
It is well to commence the study of the transverse sections
with one through the binder trunk region, about the level of the
vitelline arteries. Such a section is depicted in Fig. 237A.
In comparing this section with a corresponding section through
the second-day chick (Fig. 23-1A) the same general features will be
recognized--—the differences being mainly differences in detail. The
most conspicuous of these is caused by the development of the
amniotic fold of the somatopleure which rises up on each side,
arching towards ‘the median plane over the dorsal side of the embryo
(am). Traced forwards through the series the amniotic folds of the
two sides are seen to meet and undergo fusion so as to give rise
538 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
rte/the inner true amnion and the outer false amnion or serous
inembrane: the T6fif1“e"r"'"'contin11o11s at its inner '"ed‘g‘é"'\vitl1 the
somatopleure of the embryo’s body, the latter at its outer edge
with that of the blastoderm. It will be readily seen that the space
between true and false amnion is morphologically part of the
splanchnocoele. It will also be realized that both true and false
amnion being somatopleural in nature are composed of ectoderm
and somatic mesoderm but that the relative position of these two
layers is reversed in the amnion  compared with the false amnion.
Important changes have taken place in the mesoderm. The
mesoderrn segment is no longer connected with the lateral mesoderm
the nephrotoine having become converted into renal structures———the
archinephric duct and mesonephric tubules. The relations of these
will be understood by referring back to the general description of renal
FIG. 23713.—--'l‘r:msvcrs:- section just behinzl the point of union of the two vitelline veins.
A, dorsal aorta ; um, amnion ; r~, umllls .'.lrt,m"i0suS ; err, m-1.m.h-run; emf, enteron ; ,/Lu, false amnion or
scrolls membrane; my/, inyotome; N, ]I(_)l.-U(:l1UI‘Il; .s-.e, spinal coral: sn, sc-re-amniotic isthmus; sum,
somatopletire; cpl, splanchnoplenru; .s-pic, splmuzlinocoole; I’, \'«-nlrivh-; 42.:-, vitelline wins; y, yolk.
organs in Chapter IV. (p. 254). The inner wall of the segment has
lost its epithelial character and broken up into a mass of actively
proliferating mesenchyme cells. Many of these cells will wander
away in amoeboid fashion and settle down round notochord and
spinal cord to form the protective sheath in which eventually
develops the vertebral column. Collectively these arnoeboid cells
constitute the sclerotome which is therefore much more diffuse in
its origin than in the lower vertebrates illustrated on p. 285.
Certain blood-vessels are visible in the section. In the splanchnic
mesoderm of the yolk-sac numerous vessels of the vitelline network
are visible : over the mesonephros may usually be seen the posterior.
cardinal vein, while on each side of the mesial plane ventral to the
notochord are the two dorsal aortae.
e As the series of sections is traced towards the head the most conspicuous change is the incri:-asing asymmetry due to the body of the
embryo coming to lie over niore and more upon its left side. Fig. 237]}
represents a section just behind the‘ posterior limit of the foregut.
X FOWL --—THIRD DAY 539
The body of the embryo lying over on its left side is closely invested by the amnimi (run) while over this lies the thin roof (_/lam)
constituting the serous mcnibrane. At set the two membranes
are united by the sero-amniotic connexion. «In the mesoderm of the
two folds of splanchnopleure which are approaching one another to
floor in the alimentary canal (ant) are Hl‘l_'ll the two large vitelline
veins (72.22). The ventricle and the cones are seen out longitudinally
in the wide coelomic space lying to the right of the body of the
embryo.
A section a little farther forward in the series has the appearance shown in Fig. 2370. The definitive gut (ent) is completely
separated at this level frorn the yolk-sac, and corresponding with this
the two vitelline veins, which in sections farther back lay one on each
FIG. 237C.—-T1‘£tl1S\'el‘.<U .\f(‘(_‘llHll :1. little in front of the hind «_-ml of the lic:n't..
mu, mnnion: .-l,«l0rs.-il aor-tn ; d..r, «incl us \-mu)sii.s' : «uni, ulinu-m.-u'y 4-.-uml : _1'.vun, i'.'ilso~ mnnion ; /-i.l,
8-Ilte!‘i0l' 1i\'t-1‘ 1'luli1IwI1t ; li.;’, }no.~'.l'erioi' «lit't.o ; N. nolnvlionl : I-.r.r, ])().\'lI'l'lU[' (‘:ll'lllll:ll win ; sum, somatoph-nrv; :=_n/, spl.-in<:lmople-uri: ; splc, splanclinocoele ; I-'_, \'l'lIll‘l(‘lt.‘.
side of the yoll<—sta1l<, are now completely fused into a large median
vessel, the ductus venosus (dxv), which is simply the backward
prolongation of the heart. The posterior liver rudiment, a blindly
ending pocket of the ‘gut-wall projecting forwards ventral to the
ductus venosus, is seen in the section figured (Z222), although its communication with the gut-wall is no longer visible, lying as it does
several sections farther back. At this level however a second pocketlike outgrowth of the gut-wall has made its appearance (l7§.1). This is
the anterior liver rudiment. It will be noticed that it lies dorsal to
the ductus venosus. In the coelomic space ventral to the ductus
venosus and liver rudiments, and quite isolated, is the rounded section
through the ventricular region of the heart (V).
In the sections studied so far the body-wall of the embryo is
widely Open on its Ventral side—the opciiiiig l)elllf_,"lml.1I.l(l€(l by the
recurved edge along which the soniatopleure ol’ the body is continuous
540 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VEil;{.'_l‘-EBHATES OH.
with the non-embryonic region of the somatopleure forming the
amnion. As however the _foli_iing oil‘ of the embryo progresses the
edge alluded to grows inwards and the opening bounded by it becomes
reduced in size. It will be gathered readily from Fig. 237D that
through the opening in question the splanchnocoele, included within
the definitive body of the embryo, is continuous with that part of the
coelome which lies outside (extra-embryonic coclome). In the section
figured the heart is seen to be cut through in two places. Reference
to the figure of the whole embryo (p. 535) will show that the piece of
heart which lies towards the leit side of the embryo (at) is the
atrium, while that on the e1nbryo’s right (0') is the ventricle or
conus. In the section iigiiiwl a large blood-vessel (d.0) is seen out
Flu. 2371),——'l‘r:i.nsvm-so section a short distance behind the front end of the heart.
.1, dorsal aorta ; am, amnion ; at, atrium ; l..', eonus : «(.!.', duct oi‘ (iuvier: f.«.¢.m., false amnion ;
N, notm-hord; 1'-h, pharynx; .-om, sonuttopieure; .-pl, spinnohnopleure; .5-pl:-, splanchnocoele.
longitudinally in the sornatopleure. By tracing this vessel through
neighbouring sections it will be found to open at its ventral end into
the atrial part of the heart while dorsally it splits into the two cardinal
veins-—anterior and posterior. These relations show the vessel in
question to be the duct of Cuvier. The only other point calling for
special mention in the section figured is that the ventral part of the
pharyngeal cavity projects outwards upon either side: this dilated
ventral part of the pharynx forms the rudiment of the lung.
In the region in front of the heart the dorsiventral depth of
the body of the embryo becomes comparatively suddenly reduced
and in the Vacant space within the amnion so provided there
appears a_ new structure quite detached from the rest of the
section. The structure in question is a section through the recurved tip of the head (see figure of whole embryo). In Fig. 237E
this shows the thi.c.k-wallmel forobrain ( with its wide ventriE
C9
:3"
cc
0
-"1?
S9
o
C?‘
o
v-:
x  FOWL-——_-THIRD DAY 541
cular cavity while upon each side and ventrally’ there is seen a
localized thickening (olf) of the ectoderm: this is the dimple-like
1 udi o  4'
of the sectionmthere is seen in its centre the wide pharyngeal
space and on the embryo’s left side the pharyngeal wall projects out to the ectoderm as an endodermal pocket--~the rudiment
of the second visceral cleft (12.0.11). Immediately ventral to the
pharynx is the ventral aorta (o.A). On the left side of the embryo
the aortic root (am) is seen immediately dorsal to the pharynx,
while on the right side--—the section not being accurately transverse—~
ya hoop-like aortic arch (a:.a.III) is seen passing dorsalwards round
the side of the pharynx from ventral aorta to aortic root. The large
FIG. 237E.-—-—Transverse section passing through the second visceral cleft and the
' olfactory rudiment.
a.a.IIl, third aortic arch: a.r:.2v, anterior cardinal vein; am, amnion; a.r, aortic root; f.am, false
amnion; f.b, forebrain; h.h, hind brain; olf, olfactory rudiment; 11/l, pharynx; ‘I'.A, ventral aorta;
no.1], second visceral cleft.
vessel lying dorsaland slightly external to the aortic root (a.c.v) is the
anterior cardinal vein. Traced tailwards it is found. to open into the
dorsal end of the duct of Cuvier. The neural tube (lab) is seen to
have a thin roof and widely expanded lumen indicating that it is
now passing into the region of the hind brain.
In tracing the series -of sections further forwards it will be
y organ. To return to the am part“ .
realized that the front part of the head region is, owing to its '
reflexed position, actually being traced in a morphologically tailward
direction. In the section figured (Fig. 237F) the reflexed portion of
the head is cut at the level of the eye rudiments (opt) which are
seen to be in the optic cup stage with the inner or retinal layer
‘ It will be realized from an inspection of the figure of the entire embryo that the
recnrved part of the head is reversed in position. Its ventral side lies therefore in the
figure towards the right. 542 EMBRYOLOGY or THE Lowna VEI-LTEBRATES en.
distinctly thickened as compared with the outer or pigment layer,
and with a narrow optic stalk passing to the thalamencephalon near
its floor. In the mouth
of the optic cup is the lens
but this is seen better a
few sections farther on in
the series.
Turning to the other
Pf half of the section it is
seen that it is no longer
connected with the extraembryonic soinatopleure:
  in other words the series
    e    of sections has now passed
FIG. 2371-‘.—-—.Transverse section passing through the ' the binder limit -of the
rmlunents of the eye and otocyst. hemlfold of the SOmatO_
I (l.('.I‘:{|.llt8['ll-ll"(‘fll‘(illHll‘\'|.‘lll; l:.h, hind brain; .."\'t|1nl«-t.-.lu.n-«I; pleura The pharynx
opt, optic cup. of. nt.u('_\ sl , 1:14, ph.'-u'_\nx, (no.1, lust \'1.~'(-er:c1
cleft; aum, ventralearotid. Passes out as 3' Pocket
: on each side towards the
ectoderm-—4the rudiments of the first pair of visceral elefts (11.0.1).
The neural tuhe has become greatly increased in size forming the
hind brain with its widely expanded cavity——-the -fourth ventricle.
On each side is a large thick-walled sac—-—the otocyst. Examination of
 
Pin. '''..'.‘37(:.- -—'|‘rn.nsv(-rse section passing thrnugln the (*._\'v and just in front of the otocyst.
1I_.I'. 4', il.lli;(‘]'i()!‘ (‘:ll‘(llll:ll Vein : I(..:‘, :u_n'ti(_'. run! ; 41,:-«(,«lm'.~4:nl c-:n-utitl :u't«'I'y; _I[tHI(l. g:u|;;:lin|| of I-i_L,-'l1H'1
H-,-mi,-.1 m-rm: /uh, hind hr.-Lin; lm. pit.-niI_.-n-_\' hotly; .\'_, lllrl_.H(:ll()l‘ll; pin hlmr_\'m.'; pin, ]:ine:ul nr:,r:m;
Hull, 1h:'1l:uumn--‘plmlnn: I‘.v'.l. i'l]‘.~}i \i.~:---ml rl--ft.
neighbouring sections shows that it is still connected with the
outer skin by a narrow neck. ,In the spongy connective tissue
which forms packing between the various organs are seen a
x  FOWL--THIRD DAY 543
number of blood-vessels such as ventral and dorsal carotids and
anterior cardinal veins. ‘
As will be gathered by sliding a straight-edge forward over the
figure of the whole embryo, its edge parallel to the plane of the
sections, there comes a point in the series where the sections through
the reflexed part of the head and the rest become continuous. This
happens as soon as the deep niche in the bend of the head is passed.
Such a section is represented in Fig. 2370.. Comparison of this
figure with the preceding one will make clear the fact that the
extreme ends of the section are both “of them morphologically dorsal.
The brain is cut through twice—on the right of the figure is the hind
brain while on the left is the thalamencephalon distinguished by
   
FIG. 238.—-Diagrammatic sagittal section through third-day Fowl embryo. '.l‘he notochord
and dorsal aorta are omitted Ectoderm and endoderm are indicated by cotltinllous
lines, mcsoderm (except endocardium) by dots.
a, position of anus, not yet perforate; ull.,al1antois; am, zumiiong at, atrium; a.e, amniotic edge;
f.a,, serous mcinbrane ; fl g, foregut; l, lung rudiment; nws, mesencephalon ; pa.g, postnnal gut; pt,
pituitary involution; rh, rhombencephaion; .s~pl, splanchnopleure of yolk-sac; t, thalamencephalon;
th, thyroid; V, ventricle; v.A, ventral aorta; 'v.m., remains of velar membrane; ,1/.s, ‘cavity of yolk.
sac; 3:/..s-t, cavity of yolk-stalk.
the pocket-like rudiment of the pineal organ (pin). The thin optic
stalk lies outside the section, but the structure of the optic cup
otherwise is well seen.‘ The lens is in the form of a closed vesicle
which has by this stage become completely nipped off from the
external ectoderm. Immediately ventral to the thalamencephalon is
the pituitary involution cut transversely- The section passes through
the ganglia of the auditory nerve (gang) and on the embryo’s right
through the nerve root connecting the ganglion with the medulla
oblongata. Various blood-vessels are cut through: their names and
relations with one another are most easily determined by sliding a
straight-edge along the drawing of the embryo as a whole.
The study of this stage should be completed by examining series
of sections parallel to the sagittal plane in the ‘head region and
544 EMBRY'0LdGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
interpreting them by what has been made out from the whole
embryo and the series of transverse sections. The most instructive
sections are those in or close to the sagittal plane. Fig. 238 shows
diagrammatically a sagittal section through the whole length of the
embryo, but it will of course be understood that, owing to the head
of the embryo having come to lie over on its left side while the
trunk region retains its original position, a section which is sagittal
in the head region will, in actual fact, be practically horizontal in
the trunk. ‘
The feature that dominates the section is the cerebral flexure-—
the strongly marked curvature of the head region towards the
ventral side. The brain is of relatively enormous size: a distinct
dip in its roof marks the boundary between the thin-roofed rhombencephalon which lies behind it and the region in front of it-—the
cerebrum--whichwill give rise to mesencephalon, thalamencephalon
and hemispheres. .
The next instructive feature brought out by such a section is the
general relation of gut to yolk-sac. The rounded head-fold of the
splanchnépleure has extended far back so as to floor in the foregut
(jig). The velar membrane (am) has just ruptured so that the foregut communicates in front with what will become the stomodaeum
into which also opens the pituitary involution of the ectoderm (pt).
The floor of the foregut dips downwards to form the rudiments of
the thyroid (th) and lung (1). In a slightly more advanced embryo
the two liver rudiments would be seen also as pocket-like outgrowths
of the enteric floor in the neighbourhood of the atrial end of the
cardiac tube.
The posterior end of the definitive alimentary canal is also
becoming folded off from the yolk-sac though the cavity of the yolkstalk—-—the communication between the definitive alimentary canal
and the cavity of the yolk-sac—-—is still very wide. The position of
the future anal opening is indicated by a thick septum (Ct) composed
of fused ectoderm and endoderm. Dorsal and posterior to this the
enteron extends back as a blindly ending pocket—-the remains of the
postanal gut (pay), while anterior to the anus the enteric floor dips
downwards as the rudiment of the allantois (all). The latter is
covered with a thick layer of mesoderm and bulges into a dilated
portion of the splanchnocoele. Towards the front end of the embryo
a still more widely dilated portion of the splanchnocoele accommodates
the cardiac tube. At its anterior (o..A) and posterior ends (at) this,
is ensheathed in the thick mesoderm on the ventral side of the foregut, while its middle portion (V) hangs free in the cavity.
Finally the amniotic fold of the soinatopleure is seen to
extend almost completely over the body of the embryo, the
amniotic edge (cue) bounding a comparatively small opening near
the tail end. '
Having studied in some detail the features- characteristic of an
individual third-day embryo it will be convenient now to give a
X FOWL-—THIRD DAY 545
general sketch of the chief advances in development which take
place during this day.
At the commencement of the day the body of the embryo lay
flat along the surface of the yolk: only at its head end was it
clearly demarcated from the surrounding blastoderm and this head
region owing to the commencing ventral curvature was beginning
to lean over on to its left side. During the course of the third day
the tucking in of the blastoderm under the definitive body proceeds
apace so that the body becomes more and more completely demarcated
from the part of the blastoderm forming the yolk-sac wall, and the
yolk~stalk becomes correspondingly narrowed. The preponderance
of growth activity on the dorsal side which leads to the ventral
curvature is during the early hours of the day especially marked in
the region of the mesencephalon but as the day goes on becomes
very pronounced about the level of the heart and still later in the
tail region. Thus the axis of the body develops strong ventral
curvature especially marked at three different levels——mesencephalic,
cardiac and caudal. Along with this increasing curvature the whole
body of the embryo comes to lie over on its left side so that the
observer looking down upon the egg from above sees the body of the
embryo in profile from its right side.
During the day the embryo becomes ensheathed in the amnion
in the manner already described. The vitelline network of bloodvessels attains to its highest development, forming as it does the
organ for respiration as well as for absorption of the food and its
transport into the body of the embryo. Correlated with the lying
of the embryonic body over on its left side the paired venous
channels which convey the blood from the vitelline network into
the heart gradually lose their symmetry, those of the right side
dwindling in size while their fellows show a corresponding increase.
In the brain the main regions become established: the roof of
the thalamencephalon and medulla oblongata. assume their thin
membranous character while the hemispheres bulge out in front
of the thalamencephalon. The central canal of the spinal cord
becomes reduced to a vertical slit by the thickening of the side walls.
The olfactory rudiment makes its appearance: the auditory rudiment
becomes converted into the closed pear-shaped otocyst, still however
connected with the ectoderm by a solid strand of cells. In the eye
the lens thickening has become involuted and converted into a
closed vesicle with its inner wall markedly thickened. The optic
cup has been completely formed and the retinal layer differentiated
from the thin and degenerate pigment layer. In the latter the first
deposition of pigment takes place during the later hours of the day.
The definitive alimentary canal is still open towards the yolk-sac
over about half its extent but in addition to the foregut there
becomes folded off during the course of the third day a considerable
extent of hind-gut, the ventral wall of which commences to bulge
out to form the rudiment of the allantois towards the close of the
voL. II 2 N
546 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.
day. The hind-gut is still closed posteriorly but the foregut late
in the third or during the fourth day becomes thrown into communication with the stomodaeum by rupture of the velar membrane.
The pituitary rudiment makes its appearance. The four gill-pouches
are formed and reach the ectoderm, the fourth in the closing hours
of the day, and the first or it may be the first two become perforate.
The thyroid rudiment makes its appearance and during the latter
half of the day becomes closed. The pulmonary rudiment develops
and becomes constricted off from the pharynx except at its front end.
About the beginning of the day the two liver rudiments appear and
during its course the process of anastomosis begins between the
branches which sprout out from them. During the latter half of
the day the pancreatic rudiments make their appearance——first the
dorsal, then the left ventral, then the right ventral.
During the course of the day the mesoderm segments increase
from about 20 to 25 up to about 40. Early in the day the Wolfiian
duct becomes tubular and in the latter half of the day it completes
its backward growth and reaches the cloaca. The germinal epithelium
becomes recognizable.
The skeleton remains throughout the day purely notochordal.
The heart retains its S—shape and during the latter half of the day
the atrial septum begins to develop. The two dorsal acrtae begin
about the commencement of the third day to undergo their fusion to
form the definitive unpaired aorta. In addition to the first one or
two aortic arches which are already present the third makes its
appearance (Fig. 241, A, III, p. 550), then the fourth, and during the
latter half of the day the sixth, while the first becomes obliterated.
As regards the venous system the most important feature is the
assumption of the same general plan of the main trunks as is
characteristic of Fishes.
Finally it should be noted that during this day the body of the
embryo-becomes enclosed within the amnion.
It will be realized even from the bare summary that has been
given that the third day of incubation of the Fowl’s egg'is morphologically the most important of all and the student will be well
advised to devote a good deal of time to making a detailed study of
embryos of this period. _
THE FOURTH DAY or INCUBATION.-——-By the end of the fourth day
of incubation the blastoderm has spread about half-way round the
yolk. The vessels of the vascular area are conspicuous, though it is
to be noticed that the terminal sinus is becoming relatively less so
than it was during the third day. The folding off of the body of the
embryo has progressed greatly. By the extension backwards of the
head fold the region of the heart has become floored in on its ventral
side. Posteriorly the tail fold is deepening in a similar fashion.
Between head fold and tail fold the somatopleure of the embryonic
body is prolonged ventralwards into a very short and wide tube--the
somatic stalk-——the wall of which is reflected dorsalwards as the true
X FOWL—THIRD AND FOURTH DAYS 547
amnion. The latter is now complete and closely invests the body
of the embryo. Lying loosely within the somatic stalk and of much
smaller diameter is the splanchnic or yolk stalk--the continuation of
the splanchnopleure in a ventral direction as it passes out into the
wall of the yolk-sac. The body of the embryo has undergone a great
increase in size. The growth of its tissues has been particularly active
in its dorsal region and this has led to a continuation of the flexure
towards the ventral side which was already well marked in the third
day embryo. ,
An important new feature in the fourth day embryo is provided
b y the two pairs of limb rudiments each in the form of a dorsiventrally
flattened ridge with rounded edge and broad base of attachment to
the body. The head of the embryo at once attracts attention by its
relatively enormous size. This is due to the relatively immense size
of the brain and eyes. We have here to do apparently with a case
of the precocious growth in size of organs which in the fully
developed condition possess extreme complexity of minute structure.
The main regions of the brain can be seen very distinctly: the
relatively large mesencephalon with its bulging dome-like roof, the
thalamencephalon with the pineal rudiment, the rapidly growing
rudiments of the hemispheres, and the hind-brain with its relatively
thin and membranous roof. The three main special sense organs are
all conspicuous—-the olfactory organ, the eye with its choroid fissure
and lens, the pyriform otocyst. Arranged in a row ventral to the
otocysts are the pharyngeal clefts—three or four in number. In the
case of cleft I the ventral part of the cleft is becoming much narrowed
by the approach of its anterior and posterior walls. The dorsal end
of the cleft on the other hand remains dilated: it corresponds to the
spiracle of fish-like forms.
The heart, which forms a large structure lying between the tip of
the head and the region of the fore limbs, is still in the form of a
coiled tube but the appearance of localized bulgings of its wall foreshadows its division into the various chambers characteristic of the
adult. Thus the curve of the tube lying posteriorly and on the right
is becoming dilated to form ‘the ventricle: the part morphologically
in front of this leading towards the ventral aorta is slightly dilated to
form the conus arteriosus, while the curve lying anteriorly and on the
left side shows a slight bulging on each side foreshadowing the two
auricles. Slight constrictions separate these various bulgings-—an atrioventricular constriction narrowing the cavity to form the auricular
canal, and a less conspicuous one between ventricle and conus. '
The general arrangement of the peripheral vessels is intermediate
between that of the third day (Fig. 241, A) and that of the fifth day
(Fig. 241, B) and need not be described in detail. Aortic arches I
and II undergo in turn a gradual process of obliteration while arches
IV and VI make their appearance farther back if they have not
already done so. It is also during this day that arch V makes its
brief appearance.
548 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWEPt TVERTEBRATES CH.
The allantoic veins, which at first are merely veins of the body-wall,
during the fourth day establish their connexion with the allantois,
and in the course of the day the right vein disappears.
The allantois itself forms a conspicuous new feature for towards
the end of the day it begins to project distinctly from the ventral
side of the embryo about the level of the hind limb.
Owing to the increasing size and complexity of the embryo the
elementary student will not as a
rule prepare complete series of
sections later than the third day.
He will however find it profitable
to have transverse sections through
the developingsense organs, sagittal
sections through the head, and
transverse sections through the
posterior trunk region.
From the study of sections the
following advances in development
during the fourth day may be made
out.
In the brain the rudiment of
the paraphysis makes its appearance
Fm. 239.--Fowl's egg opened at the end and the pineal outgrowth begins to
of the fifth day. The embryo enclosed sprout; out into diverticula, about;
in its amnion is sunk down in the - 1
centre of the vascular area, the allan~ the end of the day‘ rlhe Olfactory
tois projecting upwards towards the» rudiment b3C0m3S Conneclied With
serous 1nembrane——a transparent mem- the buccal gavjty by a, slight,
brane through which theembryo and '
allantois are seen. The increasing groove‘ The rudunents of lagena
fluidity of the yolk is shown by the and recess make their appear-.
outward bulging of the yolk-saewall ance as  bulgingg of the
?J:2§‘;§1‘;’3l":i1..°2§ii.‘3§ “s::‘°.:.‘..*:.‘.::‘: ototytt watt The cavity of the
Iiowlies completelyunderneath the yolk 13113 b(.3C01T1€3 Obliterated by th9
so as ‘to be invisible in a view from grgwth of its inner wall; pigment,
“b°“"‘ becomes conspicuous in the outer
““‘°;‘éi‘£::§2.‘:‘..2é’s:‘.l':3.§2‘:é wall of the optic cup: the layer of
nerve fibres in the retina becomes
recognizable: mesenchyme begins to invade the cavity of the optic
cup and about the end of the day also intrudes between the lens and
the ectoderm.
The post-anal gut becomes reduced to a solid strand of cells and
finally disintegrates. The yo1k—stalk becomes narrowed to a fine
tubular channel. The gall-bladder begins to dilate towards the'close
of the day :. the dorsal pancreas begins to develop outgrowths: and
the rudiments of the caeca make their appearance.
The mesoderm segments increase in number to about 50. Early
in the day, if it has not done so already, the Wolffian duct opens
into the cloaca. The mesonephric glomeruli begin to appear and the
tubules become elongated and coiled. In the posterior region of the
X FOWL-—-FOURTH AND FIFTH DAYS 549
mesonephros secondary tubules make their appearance while in the
anterior region a process of degeneration becomes apparent. During
the second half of the day the ureter begins to sprout out from the
Wolffian duct and about the end of the day the rudiments of Milllerian ducts and of the metanephric units may become recognizable.
In the heart the atrial septum becomes completed about the end
of the fourth day and the endothelial cushions begin to develop.
FIG. 240.—-—Chick extracted from the egg at about the middle of the fifth day of incubation.
all, allantois; C.H, cerebral hemisphere; Is‘, eye; Hy, opereulum; M, mandibular arch; pin,
pineal rudiment faintly visible as slight elevation on root’ of thalzuuencephalon; Rh, thin roof of
rhombencephalon; som, edge of somatopleure cut through where it becomes reflected back over the
body of the embryo to form the amnion; Lu, roof of tnesencephalon (optic lobe); V, ventricle; 47.0,
visceral clefts Ill and IV ; y.s, yolk-sac.
FIFTH DAY.—--The progress in development during the course of
the fifth day is illustrated by Figs. 239-241. The albumen has so
shrunk in volume as to be no longer visible in a view of the opened
egg from above: the yolk has become extremely fluid: the vascular
area has increased considerably in size. The allantois is now a conspicuous object and the mesoderm covering its surface is beginning
to develop blood-vessels. The ‘head of the embryo is, as before, of
relatively very large size: the flexure in the region of the mesen550 TEMBRYOLOGY‘ OF THEALOWER VERTEBRATES; CH.
cephalon is still more pronounced. The operculum (Fig. 240, Hg)
is conspicuous, growing back from the hyoid arch over the posterior
visceral clefts. The limb rudiments now project freely though their
form is that of simple flippers without any of the peculiarities of the
leg or wing of the Bird. The body of the embryo is floored in onits
ventral side completely but for the rounded opening (som) along
- whose lips the somatopleure is continued into the amnion and through
which emerge the narrowing yolk-stalk and the stalk of the allantois.
ilThe study of the living embryo in situ shows the general plan of
the blood system to be as is shown in Fig. 241, B. The heart still
FIG. 241.—Diagrarn showing the main parts of the vascular system as seen in a Fowl
embryo during the third day (A) and the fifth day (B).
a..a, allantoic artery; a.c.w,-, anterior cardinal vein; at, atrium; (1.17, allantoic vein; d.C, duct of
Cuvier; d.c, dorsal carotid; il.a, iliac artery; p.a, pulmonary artery; p.c.v, posterior cardinal vein;
p.v.c, posterior vena cava ; v.A, ventral aorta; 1:.a, vitelline artery ; v.c, ventral carotid ; v.z~, vitelline
vein ; I-VI, aortic arches. '
betrays its tubular origin though the chambers are clearly recognizable as dilatations. Three aortic arches (III, IV and VI) are distinctly
visible and occasionally the fleeting vestige of the penultimate arch
as in the specimen represented in the diagram. In front of the aortic
arches the ventral aorta is seen extending forwards as the ventral
carotid (ac) :. the pulmonary artery (p.a) passes back from the sixth
arch. Dorsally the aortic root extends forwards into the head as the
dorsal carotid artery (d.o). A little distance behind the liver the vitelline artery (ua) leaves the dorsal aorta and farther back the allantoic
artery (cm) a branch of which, the iliac artery, passes to the hind limb.
In the venous system the duct of Cuvier is seen, continuous at
its dorsal ‘end with the anterior and posterior cardinal veins. ' The
‘former (a..o.q2) branches through‘ the head: the latter (19.0.72) can be
X FOWL-—FIFTH AND SIXTH DAYS 551
traced dimly back into the region of the kidney. The main blood-'
stream to the heart comes from the vitelline vein (ac) and is joined
within the substance of the liver by the blood from the left allantoic
vein (am) and the posteriorvena cava (p/ac).
Ignoring the vitelline and allantoic vessels which are clearly
adaptations to the peculiar conditions of the developing embryo the
main plan of the blood system is seen to be clearly the same as is
characteristic of Fishes.
By cutting off the head after fixing and viewing it from below
(Fig. 245, A) the modelling of the face can be studied. The frontenasal process ( f .72) is bounded on each side by the shallow oro-nasal
groove connecting it with the buccal cavity. The ridge forming the
outer boundary of the olfactory organ is demarcated from the
maxillary process by a faint transverse groove passing outwards
towards the eye-—the lachrymal groove. Posteriorly the stomodaeal
opening is bounded by the mandibular ridge with a distinct break in
the middle line between the two mandibular arches.
Of other developmental features of the fifth day we may note the
following. The first indications of turbinals appear on the mesial
wall of the olfactory organ, and of semicircular canals in the otocyst.
The optic stalk becomes solid: the rudiments of the ocular muscles
become recognizable. The pituitary body begins to form outgrowths.
The rudiments of thymus and bursa fabricii make their appearance:
the bronchi begin to develop branches. The formation of new
mesonephric tubule rudiments comes to an end and the mesonephros
begins to show signs of functional activity. The atrial septum
develops secondary perforations. The fourth aortic arch on the left
side, and the portions of aortic root immediately behind the third
arch undergo reduction. The horizontal septum of the ventral aorta
begins to extend back into the conus and the anterior portions of the
posterior cardinal veins begin to undergo atrophy.
SIXTH DAY.-—During the sixth day of incubation the body of the
embryo increases rapidly in size and in correlation with this it dips
down into the very fluid yolk, pushing the splanchnopleure of the
yolk-sac wall in front of it, so that it is almost hidden from view
when the egg is first opened. The amnion is, now raised up from the
body of the embryo by a marked accumulation of amniotic fluid
(Fig. 242). The allantois has increased greatly in size and in the
natural condition is flattened rnflushroomwise againetnthfi iIme1‘..Su1:fa0B
\.—__-—-on-n.n-—. -—a
of the serous membrane. In the embryo excised as directed on p. 513
‘it will be seen that the somatopleure of the embryonic body is
completely closed in ventrally except for a small circular space round
which it is reflected outwards in a funnel-like fashion and continued
into the thin membranous amnion. Through the funnel-like opening
a slender probe can be passed from the extra-embryonic coelomic
space beneath the serous membrane into the portion of coelome
enclosed within the body of the embryo which will become the
definitive splanchnopleure or body-cavity. Through the opening
i552 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
there pass out the stalks of the yolk-sac and the allantois (Fig. 246, B)
each conspicuous owing to its large blood-vessels. The peripheral
distribution of the vitelline and allantoic vessels shows a characteristic
difference (Fig. 242)———the vitelline network (vascular area) terminating,
in the now greatly reduced terminal sinus at a considerable distance
from the distal pole of the yolk-sac while n the other hand the allan
      : .              ' mic networkis most richly
developed on the distal
side of the allantois (p.
474)
The body of the embryo now for the first time’
begins to show indications
of bird - like form, and
faint traces of digits and
of feather-rudiments may
become apparent about
the end of the day.
In the eye the rudiment of the pecten, which
first became recognizable
during the fourth day, is
now conspicuous as an
ingrowth of . mesenchynie
through the choroidal
fissure, bounded on each
face by the inflected lips
, _ of the fissure.
FIG. 242.-Coiiinioii Fowl. View of contents of the
, .
egg-shell extracted at the end of the sixth day of he tongue beglns 1,30
_ incubation. The serous meinbraiie has been removed Pr0.]eCt and the thyrold
- so as {to gllow the allantois to be f(iltfi1pl&1C(3(l1 slightllly becolneg constrictgd off
in or( er 0 give a c carer view 0 e )O(y o t e
embryo contained within its ainnion. from the pharynx‘ The
oesophagus towards the
a. ii, edge or vascular area; all), reimilns of albumin; all’, .
outer wall of allaiitols; all”, inner wall of allantois; am, end of the day loses lbs
amnion; *, portion of vascular area lying, in the natural cavity; the dilatation of
ppiiaigilcgn. beneath the head of the eiiibryo and free from blood- the gizzard becomes evi_
. dent; the intestine begins
to grow actively in length (Fig. 246, B). The three pancreatic
rudiments become continuous with one another. ,
The ‘muscles of the body begin to exhibit contractility, the trunk
occasionally showing twitches of ventral flexure. The ureter develops
outgrowths to form the primary collecting tubes of the metanephros
about the beginning.of the sixth or the end of the fifth day and the
terminal part of the duct of the opisthonephros may become incorporated in the cloaca so. as to give the ureter its independent opening.
About this time the first indications of sexual differentiation become
recognizable, the genital strands beginning to show signs of degeiiera-T
tion in the female.
X FOW'L-—-—SIX’_l‘l--I T() EIGHTH DAYS p 553
The main portions of the skeleton become laid down in prochondral tissue and, towards the end of the day, in cartilage.
The heart begins to assume its definitive external form; the
ventricular septum develops and the conus septum begins to do so.
The fourth aortic arch becomes obliterated on the left side.
SEVENTH DAY (Figs. 243 and 244).-——The mushroolm -shaped
allantois is spreadin r activel all round beneath t 1e serous
membrane. The amnijon is begilining to show waves of contraction
passing along its wall. The brain and eyes and consequently the
head as a whole are of relatively enormous size. In sections the roof
of the fourth ventricle is
found to be developing irregular folds in which the
vessels of the choroid plexus
will appear. All three
turbinal rudiments are present in the nose. The crop
is beginning to expand. The
visceral clefts are all closed.
The glands of the stomach
are beginning to make their
appearance as rudiments.
The cavity of the enteron
disappears for some distance
forwards from the point of
Omugln  the a'11antmS' The Flu. 243.——Fowl's egg opmuul during the seventh day.
Mllllerlan ducts 1113)’ Show The body of the chick is semi dimly through the
incipient asymmetry, The, highly vascular allantois. 'l‘ho \(.'.\‘.\'(.‘lf\‘ of the
. ° ° ' allantois can he tlistitlgllisllc-<l lmm lhn.~'(* of the
notochorq 18 beglnnlng to vascular area by their turning back at the edge of
be consbrlcted by the Var 179'‘ the allantois while those of the vascular area pass
brace, The first traces of onwards uninterruptedly. The highly fluid charQssification are Inaking their {‘l.Ct(‘.I: of the yolk‘ is .>‘hm\'l1  the _\'w«.»ll<-sac. wall
. . iulgmg outwards oi oi the broken shell at. the
appearance, especially in the point m,.,k.,.1 «_
skeleton of the limbs. ,,,,_ .,,,,,,,toi,,_
The septum of the conus
arteriosus is complete and the muscular coat extends into it from
each side: the pocket-valves are becoming excavated. The fourth
aortic arch on the left side has disappeared while the portion of
aortic root between arches III and IV on the right side, and behind
arch III on the left side, are becoming ulvlitica-1':1.tf.ed.
EIGHTH l)AY.—'_l.‘hc inoveinents of the amnion now reach their
highest degree of activity. The fronto-nasal process (Fig. 245, C) is
growing out to form the. pointed beak while the lower jaw is taking
a siniilar pointed form, the two mandilmlar arches being new con
tinua-.<l into um-. :uml<her ventrall,\' \\'il;.hout a l>1'e.ak. 'l‘he rudiments‘
of l'eathers are beginning to inake themselves apparent.
In the brain the cerebellum is becoming folded on itself so as to
bulge outwards, The oro-nasal grooves are covered in to form the
‘554 EMBRYOLOGY. OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
tubular communication between nose’ and mouth. The lachrymal
groove is no longer visible: the lachrymal glands are developing as
solid ingrowths of ectoderm. The pituitary body now forms a rounded
mass of branched glandular‘ tubes lying between the trabeculae and
communicating with the buccal cavity by a narrow tubul_ar duct
opening immediately over the glottis. The air-sac rudiments make
their appearance on the surface of the lung (Fig. 246, C, a.s).
The mesonephric tubules have been growing actively up till now:
the metanephric units
are making their appearance: theMiillerian duct reaches the
cloaca if it has not
already done so
although no actual
communication is established until about
six months after
hatching.
Ossification becomes conspicuous in
the limb-bones and
the investing bones
of the head. The
keel of the sternum
forms an ossification
distinct from the two
lateral rudiments of
the body of the
sternum.
The terminal sinus
of the vascular area
has disappeared. The
septum of the conus
is now completely
traversed by muscle
so that both aortic
and pulmonary cavi. ties are completely
ensheathed by muscle. The splitting apart of the two vessels is
inaugurated by the appearance of a longitudinal incision along the
line of attachment of the septum. ‘
FIG. 244.—-—Chick extracted from egg during seventh day
showing operculum (op).
As regards the further progress of development the following
approximate times maybe mentioned.
About the ninth day the oesophagus gradually becomes patent
again. On the tenth day the arterial arches have practically assumed
the definitive condition and the metapodial skeleton is ossified.
x rowL—.;LA'rER ‘DEVELOPMENT    555
Up to about the eleventh day. the contractions of the amnion
remain very active, but thereafter they gradually become more
gentle until during the closing days of incubation they stop.
The mesonephros also attains to its maximum activity and there
commences the process of degeneration which will continue till the
time of hatching: tubules have developed throughout the length -of
the metanephros. ‘
By the twelfth day the duct of the pituitary body has become
reduced to a solid cellular strand: the exact time at which this
happens is very variable; it may be as early as the sixth or seventh
day. The lachrymal duct, which originated as a _solid ingrowth of
ectoderm along the line of the lachrymal groove, now-becomes tubular.
About the twelfth or thirteenth day the cavity reappears over the
greater part of the rectum except just at the hinder limit of
the occluded portion immediately in front of the allantois. Here
the cavity remains blocked till nearly the time of hatching.
Flo. 2515.-—-View of head of Fowl embryo as seen from below. (After l‘)uval, 1889.)
A, five days; B, six days; C, eight days. fin, fronto-nasal process; mac, maxillary process; olf, olfac-V
tory opening; o.'n., oro-nasal groove ; sp,hyomandihu1ar cleft; V, ventricle; I, II, visceral arches.
About_the thirteenth day the cartilaginous skeleton is complete
and the rudiments of claws begin to develop. 
About \the fifteenth day the Eustachian valve develops in the
heart.
By the sixteenth day the albumen has all gone -and the yolk-sac
wall becomes completed ventrally.
About the nineteenth day the yolk-sac becomes enclosed within
the body-walland the partition between mesenteron and proctodaeum
breaks down so that the alimentary canal communicates with the
exterior. a .
About the twentieth day the umbilicus closes. The violent
struggles of the young bird cause its beak to penetrate the air-space:
its lungs are filled with air: its further struggles cause its beak to
break the shell and it emerges, leaving behind the broken shell lined
with the cast-off allantois and serous membrane.
Correlated with the, process of hatching important changes take
place in the circulation? the gap in the atrial septum (foramen
556 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
ovale) becomes closed so thatthe blood arriving in the right auricle
can only reach the left auricle by the circuitous route through the
Fro. 246.-—Dissections from the right side showing the general arrangement of the viscera of
9. Fowl embryo at the end of the fifth (A), sixth (B), and eighth (0) days of incuba,tion_
(After Dnval, 1889.)
a.s, abdominal air-sac; all, allantois; c.a; conus arteriosus; wee, caecum; gi, gizzard; li, liver;
mp, mesonephros; rr.a, right auricle; r.l, right lung; V, ventricle; y.d, yolk-stalk; y.s, yolk-sac.
right ventricle and pulmonary circulation, and the allantoic vein,
duct of Botallus, and ductus venosus in the liver become obliterated.
X . EMBRYOLOGY OF COMMON FOWL 557
LITERATURE
Duval. Atlas d'Embryologie. Paris, 1889.
Poster and Balfour. The Elements of Embryology. Second Edition, edited by
A. Sedgwick and W. Heape. London, 1883.
Koibol und Abraham. Keibels Normentafeln zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der
Wirbeltiere, II. Jena, 1900.
Lillie. The Development of the Chick. New York, 1908.
Marshall. Vertebrate Embryology. London, 1893.
Patterson. Biol. Bulletin, xiii, 1907.
Patterson. Journ. Morpli.. xxi, 1910.
The most complete account of the development of the Fowl is that by Lillie. It,
and Duval’s Atlas if a copy can be obtained, for it is unfortunately out of print, should
form part of the equipment of every embryological laboratory.
CHAPTER XI
HINTS REGARDING THE PRACTICAL STUDY OF THE
EMBRYOLOGY OF THE VARIOUS TYPES OF LOWER
VERTEBRATES
AMPHIOXUS.-—The interest and importance of Amphioxus to the
student of Vertebrate morphology are due to the fact of its position
near the base of the Vertebrate phylum. It is true that in its adult
structure Amphvlomus is intensely specialized in correlation with its
burrowing habit. Further, it is necessary to recognize that a
burrowing like a pelagic mode of life, in which the environmental
conditions are comparatively uniform, is likely to lead to a kind of
fixing of the organization which will be fatal to its adaptability to
new sets of conditions and consequently to its capacity for evolving
along new lines. We must therefore regard it as improbable that
the Vertebrata passed through an ancestral condition of specialization
for a burrowing habit and the specialized features of the later stages
of the life history of Amphioxus cease on that account to have
a phylogenetic interest. The main interest to the Vertebrate
morphologist lies therefore in the earlier stages before the specialization of the adult has developed——in such features as segmentation,
gastrulation and the origin of the main systems of organs. And the
interest of these stages is heightened by the fact that food yolk-—
that potent disturbing factor—is present to a far smaller extent in the
egg of Ampiaxioxus than in that of any other of the lower Vertebrates.
Unfortunately the known localities in which fresh ernbryological
material of Amphioxus can be obtained in abundance are still few,
and in most laboratories recourse must be had to preserved material
purchased from supply stations such as the Naples aquarium.
The best locality so far known for obtaining developmental stages
of Amphiomus is the pantano or shallow lagoon at Faro near Messina.
Here the spawning takes place each evening, when conditions are
favourable, during the summer months from April to July. The
eggs pass to the exterior through the atriopore. If in a dish on
board a boat the eggs are liable by its movements. to become
distributed through the water and they are then apt to become drawn
by the inspiratory current in amongst the buccal cirri. When the
558
CH. xx PRACTICAL HINTS 559
Amphioams becomes inconvenienced by such entangled eggs amongst
the cirri it is able suddenly to reverse the respiratory current so as to
clear them away, and in this Way there is produced a misleading
appearance as if the eggs were being laid through the mouth. The
first meiotic division has been completed before oviposition while the
second is in the spindle stage at this period. Fertilization probably
takes place immediately, spermatozoa being disseminated through the
water.
It is best (Cerfontaine, 1906-7) to bring the adults into the
laboratory and wait until they spawn which operation may be
considerably delayed. To a dish of pure ‘sea-water is added a little
sea-water containing sperm then the eggs, collected with a pipette as
soon as extruded, are added.
Batches of eggs are fixed periodically, preferably in strong
Flemming’s solution or Hermann’s solution. After dehydration they
are placed in a mixture of 2 parts clove oil and 1 part collodion
in which they may be kept indefinitely. For examination whole the
egg or embryo is placed on a slide or|coverslip in a drop of the
clove-oil-collodion. After the specimen has been arranged in .the
desired position by means of needles a drop of chloroform is applied
in order to cause the collodion to solidify. The whole is then cleared
with cedar oil and mounted in canada balsam. For the preparation
of sections the procedure is similar, only in this case the slide or
coverslip should be coated with paraffin as a preliminary to allow
the collodion block to become detached, and the latter should be
embedded in paraffin. ,
PETROMYZON.-The various species of Lamprey make their way up
streams to suitable gravelly spots for spawning in the spring or
early summer (April, May, in the northern hemisphere). Material
for emhryological study is best got by “stripping ” the ripe males and
females 7}.e. by passing the hand back along the body with gentle
pressure so as to force out the eggs or sperm. The gametes from the
male and female are collected separately in two small dishes: they
are then mixed together, stirred gently with a feather, and water
added. This “ dry ” method gives a smaller proportion of unfertilized
eggs than when the eggs are received from the fish directly into
water (Herfort, 1901). As fixing agent the ordinary corrosive
sublimate and acetic acid is quite satisfactory.
MYxINOIDs.——-The only Myxinoid eggs that have been obtained
in any numbers are those of Bdellnstoma which are dredged near
Monterey, California, on shelly and gravelly bottom at a mean depth
of about 12 fathoms (Bashford Dean, 1899). Much still remains to
be done in working out the details of their development but it is
clear that this is of a highly peculiar and specialized type.
ELASMOBRANCHI1.-—The eggs are fertilized in the upper part of the
oviduct. They may traverse the oviduct comparatively rapidly and be
laid as in Birds at an early stage of development [0’h'£mae'ra, Scylliidae,
Castration, Rain] or they may remain in the oviduct for a prolonged
560 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES
FIG. 247.—-Blastoderm of Torpedo with
meulnllary folds  x 18). (After Ziegler,
1892.)
A, stage four (b'c.'unmon, 1911); B, stage six;
0, stage ten. The rounded projection near the
anterior edge of the blastoder-m is the bulging
I‘00f of the so-glm-IlL:1l.inlI (::|\'il.,\-'. In (I the
bl()0«‘l-islamls form :1. row of (‘HlI.\‘pl(.'llIJll.*~‘. I-h-\'.'tt-inns of the :«'11rl':-we of the l)l:lh'lA)ll(‘I‘lll p:u':alls-I to
its 4*Il;_{4-,
;r 14::
CH.
period and the young born in an
advanced stage [Notidam/us, Mus—'
talus, Galeus, Uarcharias, Zygaena,
Lamna, Alopias, Uetorlzxinus, Acumtlmlas, Scymnus, Squatina, Torpedo,
Trygonidae,Myliobatidae]. Amongst
the viviparous Elasmobranchs preserved developmental stages of
Torpedo (Fig. 247) may be obtained
from Naples, and of Acanthias from
various marine laboratories.
Amongst the oviparous forms
certain species of Skate (Rania) are
used as food-fishes and their eggs
can frequently be obtained in
quantity at trawling centres. In
such cases arrangements can be
made with local fish-dealers to send
on by post the “ skate-purses ” taken
from the oviducts when the fish
are cut up.‘ The eggs of the
different species differ in size and
in the characters of the shellshape, colour, degree of translucency (Williamson, 1913). Of the
European species B. batvls is the
most convenient species to use;
the normal period of spawning is
from December to April but the
retarding effect of the low temperature i.s so great that December eggs
are practically overtaken in their development by the April eggs. The
complete period of development is
roughly 20 months, most of the
eggs hatching about August.
The eggs should be posted in
damp seaweed. On arrival the
soft sticky marginal zone of the
shell, which separates off except at
one end and serves to anchor the.
egg to the sea-bottom, is removed,
and the date is marked in ink with
a wooden style upon the flat portion
of shell between the two horns.
:3 —u-: t ‘
1 Jamieson observed out of many thousa.°nds of eggs only one case of the inclusion
of two eggs within a common shell.
XI PRACTICAL HINTS—ELASMOBRANCHII 561
For hatching boxes it is convenient to take ordinary fish
boxes freely perforated with anger holes, provided with a cross
partition in the centre, and pitched inside and out to discourage the
growth of seaweeds. The hatching boxes are moored afloat in pure
sea-water within a breakwater or other shelter. About 20 eggs are
placed in each compartment.
On alternate days the boxes are drawn a few times backwards
and forwards through the water to dislodge any sediment that may
have accumulated. Once a week they are hauled’out of the water
and each egg-shell tested by rubbing the finger over its surface. If
a slippery mucus-like layer has developed on its surface the egg is
useless and should be got rid of.
When the egg has reached the desired period of development it
is removed from the Water, placed in a horizontal position with the
more strongly convex side below and opened by carefully removing
the greater part of the less convex side of the shell. The isolated
piece of shell must be lifted off very carefully as the albumen is very
adhesive and the vitelline membrane extremely delicate.
In the early stages the embryo is almost invisible in the fresh
state so the egg, still held carefully in a horizontal position, is gently
submerged in fixing fluid. The blastoderm then comes into view
and after a short time may be excised and floated into a watch-glass
to complete fixation and the subsequent processes.
In later stages (Fig. 248) where the body of the embryo is
constricted off from the yolk—sac, it is narcotized by submersion in
sea-water containing  alcohol and then the yolk-stalk is ligatured
with thread and the embryo excised for further treatment.
Embryological material of the Sharks is to be preferred to that of
the Skates or Rays on account of their less specialized character but
unfortunately it is more diflicult to obtain in quantity. Small
sharks of the genus Scyllelum and allied genera occur commonly round
the shores of the various continents and their eggs may be found
attached to seaweed at extreme low tides.
' On the British coasts a well-known spawning ground for Sag/llium
canicula exists at Careg Dion about 2% miles from Beaumaris on the
Anglesea side of the Menai Straits in between 3 and 4 fathoms of
water and in spots not exposed to strong tidal currents} The eggs
are deposited usually in the morning, the shorter stouter pair of
filaments which issue first from the cloacal opening being trailed
about /amongst tufts of the seaweed Halidrys siliquosa until they
become entangled when the fish swims round so as to wind the
elastic filaments firmly amongst the seaweed. The eggs can only
be obtained at very low and specially favourable spring tides and as
White finds at one time embryos of all stages of development it would
appear that oviposition is not limited to any definite season.
~ Sag/llwlum not infrequently deposits its eggs in aquaria and at the
1 For the details in regard to this locality I‘ have to thank Professor Philip J.
White of Bangor.
\roi.. 11 2 o
562 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
Berlin Aquarium it has been observed that pairs of eggs were deposited
at intervals of about ten days. The methods of technique mentioned
in connexion with the Skate are also applicable to the eggs of
Scyllium.
It should not be forgotten that, as mentioned earlier in this
FIG. 248.—Raia batis, embryos.
at, atrial portion of heart; E, eye; c, conus ; f.g, foregut; H, heart; l, lens; Zi, liver; ot, otocyst;
pin, pineal organ ; rh, thin roof of fourth ventricle; v.c.I, etc., visceral clefts; y.s, yolk-stalk; V, VII,
VIII, cranial nerves.
volume, one of the greatest desiderata in Vertebrate embryology is
an oviparous shark with eggs of small size. ‘
TELEOSTOMI.-—-The most archaic and therefore the morphologically
most important surviving member of this group is.Polypterus and
strenuous efforts have been made to obtain ‘developmental material.
Harrington lost his life on an expedition to the Nile with this object.
Budgett made two expeditions to the Gambia, one to. Nigeria and
XI PRACTICAL I-IINTS—-FISHES 563
the Nile, and a fourth to the Niger Delta. with the same object in
view. The three first expeditions were fruitless but on the fourth
he was fortunate enough to obtain ripe males and females and to
accomplish fertilization of a number of eggs. Unhappily Budgett did
not live to work out this precious material, falling a victim to blackwater fever soon after his return to England. The Budgett material
has been investigated (Graham Kerr, 1907) but further material is
urgently needed to work out much of the detail.
On the Gambia and on the Upper Nile Budgett found females with
eggs in the oviducts during July and August; in the Niger Delta
during August and September. During these periods he found that
at any one time only a small proportion of males had active motile
spermatozoa in their urinogenital sinuses so that it looks as if
the actual breeding season of each individual male were very short.
The fertilizations which were successful were effected with teasedup testis, the tubules being much distended and the sperm clear
instead of opaque as it frequently is. In some cases Budgett found
that eggs from the splanchnocoele gave a larger percentage of
successes than those from the oviduct. .
The fertilized eggs adhered strongly to the bottom of the dish
and this supports the statements made by the natives that in
nature the eggs are attached to sticks and stems ol' plants under
the water.
Nothing is known regarding the development of the other
surviving Orossopterygian-—Oalamichthys.
Of the Actinopterygian ganoids, whose haunts are more accessible
and less unhealthy than those of I’ol_2/pterus, the development has’
been worked out more or less completely in the case of each of the
main types———the Sturgeon (Acipenser), the Garpike (Lepidosteus), and
the Bowfin or Dogfish (Amia). .
At the large fishery stations such as those on the Elbe or Delaware
Rivers ripe Sturgeons are caught during a brief season on their way
into the river to spawn. The eggs and spermatozoa may be obtained
by “ stripping ” the fish 73.6. by firm pressure passed backwards along
the sides of the body, or by opening the fish. The eggs are immediately placed in a dish and a little of the sperm mixed with
a small volume of Water is poured over the eggs, the whole being
stirred gently for about ten minutes. They are then distributed in a
single layer over the bottom of a submerged shallow tray made with
coarse mosquito netting to which the eggs adhere firmly within
twenty minutes. ‘The trays are then placed in wooden hatching
boxes with gauze ends and moored in the river so that they are
traversed by a constant current. The dark-coloured somewhat
tadpole-like larvae hatch out in from three to six days.
Lepidosteus (Dean, 1895) breeds at Black Lake, N .Y., normally
between the middle of May and the middle of June, the eggs being
fertilized at the moment of spawning and being distributed over the
bottom in shallow water, adhering firmly to stones and other solid
564 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES C1--I.
objects. For laboratory purposes it is best to employ artificial
fertilization as in the caseof the Sturgeon. T
Amia (Dean, 1896) spawns at Black Lake during the latter half
of April or May. The eggs are deposited on a compact site over
which the vegetation is pressed aside so as to form a clear space with
about a foot of water over it. The eggs, fertilized at the moment of
laying, adhere to roots or other portions of the water—plants. The
rate of development as in other cases varies greatly with the
F10. 249.—Stages in the development of Symbmnchus. (After Taylor-, 1914.)
our, optic rudiment; .I’.F, pectoral nu rudiment.
temperature and from four days to fourteen have been observed to
elapse between the deposition of the eggs and their hatching.‘
Of Teleostei (Figs. 249 and 250) by far the most convenient for
systematic laboratory work are the Salmon (Salmo salar) and the
Trout (S. famlo), eggs of which can be obtained in quantity from the
various hatcheries. The eggs obtained by “stripping” are fertilized
artificially and may then be sent by post packed in damp moss.
Small hatching boxes suitable for laboratory use can also be purchased?
The eggs and larvae of marine Teleosts are often obtained in great
1 Excellent developmental material of Lepidosteus and Anita may be obtained from
the Woods Hole Laboratory or from Mr. J. C. Stephenson, Washington University,
St. Louis.
9 E.g. from the Snlway Fisheries Co., Dumfries, Scotland.
but these are not so con
XI PRACTICAL HINTS——-—I<‘ISHES 565
numbers in the tow-net
venient for investigation
on account of their reduced size. As there is
little doubt that the 'l‘eleostei have been evolved
out of ancestral forms
with large eggs investigations are particularly desirable on those teleosts,
mostly freshwater forms
inhabiting warm climates,
in which the large size of
the egg has been retained.
There is an important
field for investigation in
the embryology of tropical freshwater fishes. Of
individual families the
Siluridae, Characinidae
and Gymnotidae  call
especially for investigation.
DIPNOI.-— The Lungfishes form a group of
much importance to the
Vertebrate morphologist
on account of, on the one
hand, their great antiquity and the retention
of many archaic features
in their organization and,
on the other hand, of the
-fact that they present to
us foreshadowings of various features which become
prominent characteristics
in the tetrapoda or
terrestrial animals. A
knowledge of their embryology consequently
became one of the great
desiderata of Vertebrate
Embryology. The first
- Fm. 250.——-Bla.stmlei‘1ns anal mubryos of Trout
dlscovered of the three (Salmo fa/riu). (After Kopscll, 1898.)
surviving representatives
of the gI‘0llp—-L6}9?«d0- y, oxpo.~ae(l su1'fa.ee of yolk.
Iv), eye; at, otocyst; p.f, pect.0r:ll Mn; -rh, rhombeneephalou;
566 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
s7?rem—remained unknown so far as its development was concerned
until 1896 when Graham Kerr succeeded in obtaining abundant
embryological material in the Gran Chaco of South America.
The developmental stages of Protopterus, the next representative
of the group to become known to science, were first obtained on the
Gambia River by Budgett who had taken part in the Lepidosiren
expedition a few years earlier. Ceratodus, the last of the surviving
genera to become known in the adult condition, was the first to be
made known embryologically by Caldwell and Semon as already
mentioned (p. 435).
The Lung-fishes like other animals living under similar conditions
breed at the commencement of the rainy season (Protoptems, Gambia,
August; Lepidosiren, Ohaco, November but incidence of rainy season
irregular and may be de1ayed—till e.g. J une-—or omitted altogether;
Oeratodus, September to December). In the case of Oemtodus the
eggs are scattered loosely about amongst the water plants, while in
Protoptems and Lepidosiren they are deposited in a special burrow at
the bottom of the swamp where they are guarded by the male parent.
¢ Dipnoans live well in captivity and there is little doubt that it
will be found easy to induce them to breed by using similar methods
to those described under the heading Amphibia. It is particularly
desirable that this should be done in the case of Lepidosiren on
account of the large size of its histological elements which make it a
peculiarly suitable type for the investigation of various problems of
histogenesis.
The eggs of Dipnoi, especially of Lepidosiren, are of large size and
this makes it especially advisable to use celloidin in addition to
paraffin methods of embedding. When paraflin is used it is necessary
to remove the egg envelope by slitting it up with fine scissors, care
being taken to keep the point of the scissors close to the envelope so
as to avoid injury to the surface of the egg.
Corrosive sublimate and acetic acid is a good stock fixing agent.
For stages before hatching 107 formalin is convenient.
AMPHIBIA.—-The most easi y obtained embryological material is
that of the common Frogs of the genus Roma the masses of spawn of
which are familiar objects in pools during the early weeks of spring
in temperate climates. The exact time differs with climate and also
with species, some species such as R. esculenta in Europe and R.
catesbiana in North America lagging several weeks behind the others.
The spawn, fertilized as deposited in the early morning, may conveniently be kept during its development in earthenware pans. The
water should be left stagnant and unchanged during the period prior
to hatching as under these circumstances the spawn is less liable
to be attacked by fungus but the hatched larvae should be at once
transferred to clean water.
Investigations are greatly needed on the embryology of Anura
outside the genus Rana (of. Figs. 251, 252, 253 and 254). The
different genera and species differ greatly in the size of the egg
XI DIPNOI, AMPHIBIA 567
and its richness in yolk and there is no group of Vertebrates
which ofi"ers anything like the same facilities for studying the
influence of yolk upon the course of development. Further it will be
only after greatly extended studies on different species that we shall
be in a position to
have a really com- 
prehensive idea of
typical Anuran
development.
Many tropical
species of Frogs
and Toads fire to be Flu. ._')l.—-String of eggs of unknown Frog from the Gambia.
Obtalned ahve from Individual variations in the rate of developnu.-nt are indicated
animal dealers and hy the varying size of the yolk-plug.
in these it may be
taken as a general rule that breeding takes place at-the commencement of the rainy season, or in other words when environmental
conditions become favourable after a prolonged period during which
they have been unfavourable. By bear    ing this principle in mind such tropical
T i  amphibians may usually be induced to
breed in captivity. Bles in his excellent
account of the life-history of Xenopus
(1905) describes a method which will be
found to be of general use. The pair of
animals were kept in a Budgett tropical
aquarium consisting of a glass bell-jar
20 inches in diameter dipping into a
galvanized iron water-tank heated by a
small Bunsen burner and oxygenated by
plants of Vallisnemla. During summer
the temperature of the water in the belljar was kept at about 25° C. The water
was not changed. The frogs were fed
daily with small earthworms or thin
strips of raw calf’s liver until they would
eat no more. In December the temperature was allowed to fall to 15°-16° during
1*‘1G-252--EI§ibI_'y0 of 1’hz/llmIwd'u~sja the day and as low as 5"-8° during the
"”P"”f;::l”“l’8 "““‘°”°d °“t 1" night. As the temperature rose With the
°;lfiI1:ucca'1wity_M bmmpm_ onset of spring the frogs became more
N’ mes, n1c.s'odcrnlsnigincnts. 4, actives Wilkmg “P out of the lethargic
condition induced by the winter's cold.
Breeding was induced by simulating the natural conditions of
the rainy season. The temperature was raised to about 22° 0.
Each morning and evening about two gallons of the water was
drawn off, allowed to cool for twelve hours and then returned to
the aquarium in the form of a fountain of spray from the upturned
568 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.
end of a glass siphon drawn out to a fine point so as to produce the
effect of a shower of rain. Within a week or two breeding took place.
The chief difiiculty in the way of cutting sections of _Frog’s eggs
is due to the presence of the jelly-like envelope. This may be got rid
of by prolonged soaking, six months or more, in -5% formalin
(Ogushi, 1908), or by fixing in Zenker’s fluid and leaving the efgs 111
this fluid renewing it after 2 to 3 days and continuing the treatment
FIG. 253.-—Stages in the development of ]’l:.y/llunwdusa /1.3/po¢:h¢mal7"£alz's.
E, eye; e.g, external gill; op,opercu1um; oz, otocyst.
for 8 to 14 days or longer, shaking gently so as to remove the envelopes
(Kallius, 1908). '
For cutting sections paraflin is commonly used but it should be
supplemented by celloidin e.g. the clove-oil method mentioned under
Ampimloxus.
In the Urodeles the eggs are commonly laid singly in water and
attached to water plants (Triton) or other solid objects such as logs
or stones (Proteus, Necturus). In Oryptabranchus and Amphiuma
they form a beaded string, adjacent envelopes being connected
together by a narrow isthmus.
Fertilization is rarely external (0'ryptob'ranchus——Smith, 1912).
In the Newts the female takes up a spermatophore into the cloaca.
xx ' PRACTICAL HINTS-——AMPHIBIA 569
Such internal fertilization leads up to the condition in the Salamanders
where fertilization takes place in the upper part of the oviduct and
the developing embryo is retained for a less or more prolonged period
within the body of the parent. In Salamcmdm mooculosa larvae
about an inch in length are born in May resulting from fertilization
during the preceding summer. '
As in the Anura wide differences exist in the richness of yolk
and consequent size of the egg—the latter varying from under 2 mm.
in the Newts to 6 mm. (Necturus) or 7 mm. in diameter (Org/ptobranchus
japom'cus): so that here again though not to the same extent as in
   
F10. 254.-—Tadpo1e of unknown Frog from Tropical Africa.
A, side view; B, ventral view. inc, huccal cavity; c.o, ('(‘.lllf‘.I|l.r organ ; rz, anus;
E, eye; e.g, external gill; u/,/', olfactory organ; up, operculum.
the Anura there is an excellent field for investiga c
tion into the influence of yolk upon developmental
processes.
The eggs of Urodeles are commonly collected
under natural conditions and kept in earthenware
dishes. Or the adults just about to breed may be
brought into the laboratory and allowed to deposit
their eggs in a suitable aquarium;
The Urodela form one of the relatively primitive groups of Vertebrates and their embryology‘
deserves much greater attention than it has hitherto
received. Most of the older literature deals with
special details i.n the development of the Newts but comprehensive
monographs, including “normal plates” on the development of such
genera as Proteus, Siren and Amphiuma are much wanted. A
general account of the development of the American species of
Uryptobranohus has been given by Smith (1912), while the Japanese
species has been dealt with by Ishikawa (1918), De Bussy (1915) and
Dan. de Lange, Jr. (1916). Of Necturus normal plates with
accompanying tables have been worked out by Eycleshymer and
Wilson (1910).
The Gymnophiona—-—though an aberrant group of Amphibians
highly specialized for a burrowing existence—are of much embryological interest and have provided the material for work of great
morphological importance, such as that of Brauer upon the excretory
organs. A general account of the development of Icltthyophis
570 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.
will be found in Sarasin (1887-90) and of Hypogeophis in Brauer
(1897).
The eggs, fertilized internally, are normally deposited in the soil
and the embryologist has, as a rule, to depend upon such scanty
material as can be obtained by digging in the damp soil of localities
where Grymnophiona are abundant. Ty/phlonectes in South America
and _De7~mophz's in West Africa are viviparous.
Of the group in general it may be said that a comprehensive
monograph on the development of each genus beyond Ichthyoplmls
and Hypogeoph/is is a great desidcratum.
As standard fixing agents for Amphibia corrosive sublimate and
acetic acid, and for the later larval stages strong F lemming’s
solution, may be used. For the early stages (segmentation and
gastrulation) quite good results are obtainable from eggs that have
been preserved alive in 10,°/O formalin: in this case it is well to treat
the egg before dehydration for an hour or two with corrosive
sublimate solution as without this precaution the formalin-preserved
eggs are diflicult to stain well. When any other fixing agent than
formalin is used it is necessary, as a preliminary, to remove the egg
envelopes. In the case of the larger eggs of the Urodela and
Gymnophiona this can be accomplished with the aid of fine scissors
and forceps.
REPTILIA. — For gaining practical knowledge of Reptilian
development the student will find the group Chelonia most convenient as it is possible to obtain 1 excellently preserved series of
developmental stages of Terrapins (Ohrysemg/s) and Snapping Turtles
(0helg/dm). In particular localities especially in warm climates he
may have opportunities of obtaining the eggs of Lizards, Snakes or
Crocodilians. In all cases the same technique may be used as in the
case of the Fowl.
' AVEs.—The Birds, although showing conspicuous differences in
external appearance and in minute details of structure, form a very
compact evolutionary group and there is little likelihood of important
differences in principle existing in their development. Interesting
differences in detail however are to be found—such as the presence
or absence of neurenteric canals. Groups which there is any reason
to suspect of being particularly archaic——such as Divers, Grrebes,
Penguins-—-are worthy of careful scrutiny for possible persistence of
Reptilian features.
LITERATURE
B103. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., xli, 1905.
Brauer. Zool. Jahrbiicher (Anat.), x, 1897.
do Bussy (do Lange), L. P. Eerste ontwikkelingsstadién van Megalobatrachcpos
Mamimus, Schlegel. Amsterdam, 1905.
Cerfontaine. Arch. de Biologie, xxii, 1906.
Dean, Bashford. Journ. Morph., xi, 1895.
1 E.g. from Mr. J. C. Stephenson,‘Washington University, St. Louis,'or The-Marine
Biological Laboratory, Wood's Hole.
XI - LITERATURE 571
Dean, Baahford. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., xxxviii, 1896.
Dean, Bashford. Kupifers Festschrift. J ena, 1899.
Eerfort. Arch. mikr. Anat., lvii, 1901.
Iahikawa. Mitt. Deutsch. Gesell. Natur- und Viilkerkunde Ostasiens, xi, 2, 1908.
Kalliua. Anat. Anz., xxxiii, 1908.
Kerr, Graham. The Work of John Samuel Budgott. Cambridge, 1907.
Kopsch. Arch. mikr. Ana.t., Ii, 1898.
do Lange, Dan., Jr. Onderzoek. Z061. Lab. Groningon, iv, 1916.
Ogushi. Anat. Anz., xxxiji, 1908.
Sarasin, P. and H. Ergebnisse nnturwissenschaftlicher Forschungen auf Ceylon, ii.
Wiesbaden, 1887-90.
Soammon. Keibels Normentafeln, xii. Jena, 1911.
Smith. Journ. Morph., xxiii, 1912.
Taylor. Quart. Journ. Micr. Sci., lix,\1914.
Williamson. Fisheries, Scotland, Sci. Imwst., 1912, i. 1913.
Ziegler, H. E. and F. Arch. mikr. Ana.t., xxxix, 1892.
APPENDIX
THE GENERAL METHODS OF EMBRYOLOGICAL RESEARCH
EMBRYOLOGY is one of the youngest of the sciences and it offers a wide field
for fascinating and important research. Regarded as a branch of morphology its main object is to gain information concerning the lines along which
the structure of existing groups of animals has evolved. In the phylum
Vertebrata there is an immense amount of work still to be done and it is
important that the would-be researcher should be guided by certain general
principles as to the technique of the subject, otherwise he is apt to achieve
no more than the addition of relatively unimportant details to the vast
accumulation of details which during the past few decades has tended to
hide away general principles and incidentally to smother interest in the
subject.
The incompetent or inexperienced investigator frequently betrays-himself by his choice of subject: he chooses a problem of relatively minor
interest when there lie ready at his hand others which are of real importance,
or he chooses a subject really important but of such difficulty that the
probabilities are heavily against the feasibility of its solution under
existing conditions. The beginner then should see that he has the aid of
some competent adviser before he decides upon his line of research.
Having chosen his particular problem he has next to decide regarding
the particular animals upon which his research is to be carried out. The
earlier workers were guided mainly by the accessibility of the material.
Fowls and Rabbits -—-of which embryos were easily obtained and easily
investigated—--provided the material for the great pioneers of vertebrate
embryology and the embryology of to-day suffers much from the difficulty
of getting rid of general ideas founded on such narrow bases. N ow that
embryology has taken its place as a branch of evolutionary science we
recognize the importance of basing our general ideas upon the phenomena
of development as displayed by the more primitive existing groups. In
attempting any important problem of vertebrate morphology, evidence
must be got from Elasmobranchs, Crossopterygians, Lung-fishes, Urodeles,
before we can feel completely confident as to general principles: in other
words we must go to groups which are admittedly archaic. Apart from
directly adaptive features an animal which is archaic in its adult structure
may be expected to show primitive features in its development. Naturally
we should not look for this in cases where development takes place under
peculiar conditions, for these necessarily involve adaptive modification. A
pitfall into which investigators frequently stumble is that, starting from
573
574 EMBRYOLOGY- OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES' APP.
some particular group—-say Ampluloxus, or the Mammalia——with whose
structure they'happen to be thoroughly familiar, they assume its general
organization to be primitive. As a matter of fact it may be assumed with
considerable probability that every existing vertebrate is to a certain
extent a mixture of primitive features and specialized. It is only by
careful comparative study that it can be decided which features are
probably primitive and it is quite certain that these will not be found all
within one group. Consequently speculations based upon the intensive
study of one particular group are to be distrusted, though there is always
less ground for distrust if the group is one which is recognized for reasons
other than embryological, as being on the whole archaic. ‘
When minute histological details are concerned another qualification
which should be possessed by the animal chosen for investigation is large
size of its cell units.
The material should be abundant. Not only should there be a continuous series of stages but there should be numerous specimens of each
stage. There is no such thing as an absolutely normal individual: the
conception “normal” is an abstraction based upon the observation of
numerous individuals. Only by observing numerous individuals can we
therefore arrive at a knowledge of normal development. Work carried out
on a? few specimens may of course provide isolated observations of much
interest and value but it is inadequate to serve as a basis for general
conclusions.
In all descriptive embryology it is necessary to have some method of
specifying the stage of development of individual embryos. Unfortunately
there has been a great lack of uniformity as to the particular method of
doing this. One of the most frequently used is that of specifying the
period of time during which development has been going on as for example
a “chick embryo of 40 hours’ incubation.” This method is quite unsatisfactory, owing to the fact that the actual stage of development of any
individual embryo is a function of other factors in addition to mere time,
such as temperature and individual idiosyncrasy. Thus in many tropical
freshwater animals a statement of the age of the embryo is practically
worthless unless accompanied by a record of the temperature, and even
then there remains the unknown element of individual peculiarity such as
is for example illustrated by Fig. 251 where a number of sister eggs of a Frog
are seen to have “lost step” with one another to a marked extent even
at a comparatively early stage of development. In other words eggs
or embryos of the same age are liable to vary greatly in their degree
of development, and a statement of their age is not adequate as a precise
indication of the stage of development. The want of precision varies in
different cases: it is less for example in a Eutherian mammal where
development takes place at a fairly definite temperature than it is in a Fish
or Amphibian inhabiting a tropical pool or swamp where the temperature
is liable to great variation. ,
It is necessary then in referring to particular stages of development to
define them by structural features. Here however a new difficulty presents
itself in the fact that the relative rate of development of different organsystems is not the same in different individuals. It follows that if a.
number of individuals be grouped together as being at the same stage of
development as judged by a particular organ A it Wlll be found that other
APP. METHODS OF EMBRYOLOGICAL RESEARCH 575
organs B, C, etc. are not exactly at the same stage of development—some
are less developed some more in the various individuals. Still for practical
purposes this is a useful way of indicating roughly the stage of development. For example early stages in the development of Vertebrates may
be defined by giving the number of mesoderm segments which have
developed——these being fairly conspicuous structures and definable by a
number. A much better system, however, is to use numbered stages
defined by the general external form——the first structural feature met with
in the examination of an embryo. Keibel has published “normal plates”
of the development of various Vertebrate types in which standard stages in
development are defined by accurate figures. Unfortunately some of the
normal plates are incomplete as regards the earlier stages during segmentation and gastrulation, but wherever the plates extend over the whole period
of development they should be made use of by the working embryologist as
his standard stages. Where no normal plates exist the embryologist should
m_ake_it his first business to construct one by carefully working over the
external features of development and defining by careful drawing and
description a series of stages which he judges to be roughly equidistant.
The embryology of any animal is an account of the observable changes
which take place in its structure from the zygote stage up to the adult.
Logically the investigation of its embryology should proceed similarly from
zygote to adult but in actual practice it is better to work in the opposite
direction—-—to commence by getting a clear idea of the adult organization
and then to work back from the known to the unknown of earlier stages.
An embryological investigation should commence with a careful study
of the entire embryos or larvae at the various stages. Each stage should
be examined first alive by transmitted and reflected light, careful note
being taken of any movements due to muscular contraction, ciliary action
etc. Particular attention should be paid to the arrangement of the
blood-vessels, the time of commencement of heart movements, of circulation
of the blood and of the appearance of haemoglobin in the corpuscles. The
appearance of chromatophores should be noted: the seat of their first
appearance and their reactions-——whether by changes of form, movement
of pigment granules in their protoplasm, or by actual migration-—in
response to changes in direction or intensity of light. During this phase_
of the work constant use should be made of the binocular microscope and
rough sketches should be made.
Embryos of each stage should be submitted to the action of various
fixing agents and it is important to watch the embryo during the process
of fixing, for the fluid as it gradually penetrates the tissues often makes
special structures stand out distinctly for a short space of time——to disappear again with further penetration. The fully fixed embryo should be
subjected to further careful scrutiny by reflected light under the Greenough
binocular. To detect small inequalities of the surface it will be found
necessary to arrange the lighting carefully. The light from an mcandescent gas-mantle may be concentrated by a large condenser and
caused to illuminate the embryonic surface in a tangential direction. It
is often well to cover the specimen with a little house of opaque cardboard
or metal resting on the stage of the microscope and possessing two
apertures one in its roof through which the observation is made and one at
the side through which light is admitted. The embryo must of course be
576 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES APP.
completely submerged in fluid and is preferably contained in a round glass
dish with a layer of pitch or black wax on the bottom in which, if necessary,
small excavations can be made in which the embryo can rest securely in
the desired position. The glass vessel should be rotated slowly during the
observations so as to allow of the incidence of the light from different
directions. It is important to observe a number, preferably a considerable
number, of embryos of the same stage, as owing to individual variation
particular features may be much more distinct in some than in others.
A number of thoroughly typical specimens of each stage should be
picked out for further investigation and these should be carefully drawn
under the camera lucida, a piece of millimeter scale being placed by the
side of the embryo and drawn at the same time so as to form a reliable
record as to dimensions.
' At this stage the normal plates should be constructed if not already in
existence and the embryos classified in accordance with them,
For the study of internal structure the great method is that of cutting
the embryo into serial sections‘ but a much older method, that of
dissection, should by no means be ignored. Careful dissections made
under the Greenough binocular are often extraordinarily instructive. It is
advisable to experiment with embryos fixed according to various methods as
diffcrrent methods give difl‘erent degrees of consistency, opacity etc. Van
Beneden and N eyt’s fluid will be found in many cases to give very good results.
In section - cutting a fetish to beware of is excessive thinness of
sections. The expert section cutter is liable to become so interested in
his feats in accomplishing the preparation of sections of an extraordinary
degree of thinness that he is apt to forget that the criterion of good
sections is not simply their degree of tenuity but the relation which their
thickness bears to the size of the cell-elements of the particular embryo.
Thus while in some cases it is of advantage to have sections so thin as 1 [L2
or even '5 ii, in other cases, such as segmentation and gastrulation stages
of some of the large heavily-yolked holoblastic eggs, the sections should
reach as much as 80 p. or 100 ,u in thickness.
Before an embryo is cut into sections its soft protoplasm has to be
supported by infiltration with some suitable embedding mass. For this
purpose the two substances used at the present time are parafiin of high
melting-point and celloidin. Of these the first is used frequently alone
but the student should realize from the beginning that if he is to
obtain reliable results, especially yvhere yolk is present in the embryonic
tissues, he must use both methods and control and check the results
obtained from one by those obtained from the other.
The process of infiltrating the embryo with paraflin is usually carried
out in a hot-water oven heated by oil, gas or electricity and kept at
a temperature just above the melting-point of the paraffin by a thermostat.
The melted paraflin may be contained in small copper pans preferably
plated inside with silver or nickel. An essential preliminary is a very
thorough dehydration followed by a very thorough soaking in the clearing
agent. To get the best results it is well to take the embryo through
1 A useful guide for beginners is.Sect7}on- Cutting by P. Jemieson in preparation.
For those who already possess an elementary knowledge of the subject an .xcellent
work of reference is Bolles Lee's Miicrotomicfs V ads-nwcum. .
9 1 p.=n1n millimeter.
APP. METHODS or EMBRYOLOGICAL RESEARCH‘ 577
three changes each of 90% alcohol, absolute alcohol, and xylol or other
clearing fluid. The actual process of infiltration with paraffin should last
for the minimum time (which will have to be determined by experiment 1)
and be carried out at the minimum temperature.
It may be remembered that the complicated and bulky water-bath
with its thermostat is in no way necessary for the embedding process.
A very simple apparatus which is perfectly eflicient consists of a small
metal trough (copper, or tinplate) resting upon a metal table kept
heated at one end by a small flame. By sliding the trough lengthwise
along the table a position can be found such that the entire thickness of
paraflin is fluid at the end next the flame and solid towards the other end.
Between these two points stretches an inclined plane of solid paraffin upon
the surface of which the embryo rests without any risk of the temperature
rising appreciably above melting-point. A simple embedding trough of
the kind indicated is of great use in the field as there is no method of
storing and transporting embryos so free from danger of accident or of
histological deterioration as having them embedded in solid paraffin.
'I‘o get a block of parafiin in good condition for section~cutting the
embryo should be transferred to a bath of fresh paraffiu as soon as it is
infiltrated. With certain clearing agents, e.g. cedar oil, it is well to give
two or three changes of paraffin. 'l‘he vessel containing the embryo in"a
considerable volume of paraflin should now he floated on cold water so as
to give a homogeneoustranslucent block of solid paraffin. On no account
should the vessel be actually submerged in the cold water for in this event
the contraction of the inner paraffin as it cools within the already rigid
outer layers will lead to the formation of cavities into which the water
penetrates.
For the actual process of section-cutting it is necessary to use a
mechanical microtome. The Cambridge Rocking microtome is one of the
most convenient for ordinary enibryological work while the ReinholdGiltay ‘microtome is a most excellent instrument both as regards accuracy
and rapidity of working. '
The paraflin block containing the embryo is trimmed down so as to be
rectangular in section and is then fixed by, the interposition of a hot
spatula to the parafiined surface of the microtoine carrier in such a position
as may be necessary to give the required direction of sections.
Where the object is a “diflicult” one, e.g. containing much yolk, it is
advisable to have it surrounded by a paraffin block of considerable size.
A considerable mass of paraffin above the specimen makes it out better,
while a considerable mass to the side causes successive sections, with their
long edges, to adhere better together and form a continuous ribbon. The
embryo should be near one of the lower corners of the block to facilitate
exact orientation.
For thorough investigation of the structure of embryos it is advisable
to have specimens cut into sections in the three sets of planes-—transverse,
psagittal or longitudinal vertical, and coronal or longitudinal horizontal.
To obtain these it is tiecessary to have the embryo orientated exactly on the
microtome. In most cases this can be accomplished with a sufficieutly
close approximation to accuracy when fixing the paraflin block on to the
‘ E.g. for a Chick at about the middle of the second day about 20 minutes will be
found to be suflicient.
VOL. II 2 1»
' 578 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES APP.
carrier, especially if care has been taken to trim the surfaces of the block
parallel to the three chief planes of the embryo.
Where greater accuracy is needed, as in the case of very small embryos,
they should be arranged in position in the melted paraffin with warm
needles under the prism binocular microscope. This may be done by
placing the watch-glass or other vessel on the top of a small flat copper
cistern full of water, provided with inlet and outflow tubes, and heated up
by contact with the top of the water-bath or hot stage. In the bottom of
the embedding vessel is placed a small plate of glass on the upper surface
of which are engraved parallel lines intersecting one another at right angles.
When the embryos have been accurately orientated with regard to the
engraved lines a stream of cold water is allowed to run through the cistern
and this causes the paraliin rapidly to solidify. When the block is quite
llard the glass plate is picked off and the ridges formed by its engraved lines
serve as accurate guides to the position of the embryo.
Still greater accuracy is obtainable by arranging that the melted
paraffin in which the embryo is being orientated is already in its definitive
position on the holder of the microtome, the paraffin being kept melted as
long as necessary by an electric current passing through a loop of high
resistance wire.‘
' For the actual cutting care must be taken that the razor (solid ground)
or other knife has a very fine edge which does not show irregularities when
examined under the low power of the microscope. The blade should be
thoroughly cleaned with pure spirit before commencing work. If very
thin sections, e.g. of l [L in thickness, are required it is well to commence
with sections of 5 pt, then without stopping to change to 4 p., then to
3 p., then to 2 p, then to l p.——cutting a continuous ribbon throughout and
going ahead rapidly when the 1 /1. sections are cutting properly.
The celloidin method should be constantly used as a check on the
paraffin method. Where yolk.y eggs or embryos are being cut the
celloidin method gives the only trustworthy sections as by it the yolk
granules are held in position and prevented from sticking on the edge of
the knife, ploughing through the tissues and destroying much of the fine
detail, as is always liable to happen if paraffin alone is used under such ‘
circumstances.
In cases where there is no need for specially thin sections (say under
25 pi.) a convenient method is that in which the celloidin block is hardened
by exposure to: chloroform vapour and then cleared by immersion in
cedar-wood oil.
The block of celloidin is usually fixed to a block of wood which is
gripped by the holder of the microtome. Care should be taken that such
wooden blocks are baked for several days so as to ensure their being
absolutely dry. Otherwise moisture will diffuse out and produce a milky
opacity in the celloidin which ought to be absolutely clear and transparent.
Sometimes it will be found that the block becomes too hard and will
not cut properly, its edges frilling or breaking. This is sometimes due to
the presence of a trace of chloroform in the cedar oil used for clearing.
When this is the case the cut surface of the block should have perfectly
pure cedar oil applied to it with a brush just before each section is ‘cut.
‘ A special apparatus for this purpose is made by the Cambridge Scientific
Instrument Company.
APP. METHODS OF EMBRYOLOGICAL RESEARCH 579
To obtain thinner sections it is necessary to embed the celloidin block
containing the object in parafiin. This may be done simply by transferring the block saturated with cedar oil to melted paraffin. A better
method is to use a solution of celloidin in clove oil of about the
consistency of treacle. The object, thoroughly permeated by this and
surrounded by a small quantity of the celloidin, is hardened and cleared
in chloroform. The block is then carefully trinnned with one face
accurately parallel to the plane of the required sections. It is now
immersed in melted paraiiin for a minimum time (ten minutes suilices
for a small object). After cutting and mounting the sections the slide is
immersed in xylol ,until the parafiin is dissolved out, then in absolute
alcohol, then in a mixture of equal parts of absolute alcohol and ether
until the celloidin is removed. The slide is now taken down through the
series of alcohols and the sections stained and mounted in the ordinary
way.
The arriving at a clear idea of the structure of an embryo from the
study of a series of sections involves fitting the successive sections together
into a continuous whole. To a great extent this reconstruction of the
whole from the successive sections can be done mentally but where
complicated structures are being investigated, some aid- is either absolutely
necessary or at least desirable for the sake of accuracy. The preseht
writer finds the most reliable as well as the most convenient of such aids
in the method of reconstruction by means of glass plates.‘ Successive
sections are drawn with a hard (9 H) lead pencil by means of a camera
lucida upon finely ground sheets of glass such as is used for photographic
focusing screens and then the successive drawings are fitted together, a
fluid of as nearly as possible the refractive index of the glass being interposed between them so that the ground surfaces disappear and the heap of
plates appears as a clear block with the structures drawn running through
it and appearing as a kind of solid model.
The following details may be noted. Sections are cut to a standard
thickness of 10 ,u (z'.e. T55 mm.): the glass plates are 1 mm. thick: the
drawings are made at a magnification of 100 diameters. But it will be
found in practice that much use can be made of the method even if these
three dimensions are not so exactly correlated. The outlines made with
pencil of the particular organ that is being studied are filled in with water
colour. Vermilion is the most generally useful colour for it retains its
opacity and light-reflecting properties to an unusually high degree when
submerged in fluid of high refractive index. When the plates are dry
N o. 1 is laid, ground side up, on a flat surface——_preferably a glass stage
with a_ mirror beneath so that light may be refleeted up through it—a few
drops of the fluid used, e.g. clove oil or cedar oil or a mixture of fennel
oil (two parts) and cedar oil (one part) as recommended by Budgett 2 are
placed by a pipette on the centre of the ground surface and then plate
N o. 2 is lowered gently into position and fitted into its place over plate
N 0. 1. The outlines of the drawings should be made to coincide exactly,
and the two plates should be pressed firmly into contact care being taken
to avoid interposed air bubbles which act as elastic cushions and prevent
the upper plate from settling down into contact with the other. Successive
1 Quart. Jowm. Micr. Sea, xlv, 1902.
2 Trans. Zool. Soc. Landon, xvi, Pt. 7. 1902.
580 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES APP.
plates are fitted on in a similar manner until the particular organ stands
out like a solid model in the mass of plates. _
The same set of drawings may be used for different organs : the clove
oil is removed by treating with strong spirit, and the water colour by
holding under the tap, and then, after drying, a new organ can be coloured
in. By colouring merely the cavity of an organ the relations of the cavity
can be displayed as by an injection. When finally done with the drawings
are removed by scrubbing with “ Monkey brand” soap.
By this method, after a little practice, reconstructions can he made
with great rapidity and accuracy.
Though less accurate and much more tedious the older method of
reconstructing with plates of wax is useful for building up a permanent
model. Its use is also indicated where only a single specimen is available.
Instead of wax plasticine may be used 1 which allows of a kind of dissection
being made, in as much as particular parts of the model may be bent out
of the way to display structures which would otherwise be hidden.
1n investigating the development of the skeleton the cartilage is often
found to pass by imperceptible gradations into unmodified mesenchyme.
The absence of sharply defined surfaces in such cases makes the reconstruction method unreliable and it is advisable to supplement it by
subjecting the embryo to treatment with a specific stain which picks out
the cartilage while leaving the other tissues uncoloured so that the cleared
and transparent specimen may be studied as a whole under the binocular
microscope.
An excellent stain for this purpose is v. Wijhe’s Methylene Blue.”
The embryo is fixed preferably in '5% watery solution of corrosive
sublimate, with 10% formalin added just before use, and preserved in
alcohol. When about to be stained it should be treated for a day or two
with alcohol containing :1-% hydrochloric a.cid——care being taken_ to
renew this so long as it develops any yellowness due to traces of iodine.
The stain consists of a solution of 1% methylene blue in 70% alcohol
to which 1% hydrochloric acid has been added some time before use.
The embryo is stained for a week and is then treated with 70% alcohol
containing {/0 hydrochloric acid and renewed several times the first
day and thereafter once daily until no more colour comes away. The
embryo is now dehydrated, cleared gradually in xylol, passed through
stronger and stronger olutions of canada balsam in xylol, and
preserved eventually in balsam so thick as to be solid at ordinary
temperatures though liquid at 60° C.
An excellent method of cleaning small cartilaginous skeletons is to
place. them amongst Frog tadpoles which remove the muscle etc. from the
surface of the cartilage by means of their oral combs.
In regard to the general principles of embryological research it need
hardly be said that, as in other branches of science, accuracy of observation
occupies the first place. And yet, curiously, accuracy may become a
fault. In those branches of science which are more effectively under the
control of mathematics it is well recognized that in any type of investigation there is a limit of- probable error of observation-—due to instrumental
or sensory imperfections or to disturbing factors of one kind or another—
‘ Harmer, Pterobranclyia of Seiboga Expedition, 1905.
9 Proceedings Akad. Wetensch. Amsterdam, J une 1902.
APP. METHODS ‘OF EMBRYOLOGICAL RESEARCH 581
beyond which it is mere waste of time to push observation. In all
biological observation the limit of probable error is particularly high yet
this fact is peculiarly apt to be ignored and it is no unusual thing to find
dimensions or other numerical data stated to three or four places of
decimals when anything beyond the first place is worthless for the reason
indicated. _
To secure accuracy of observation not merely training and experience
in the art of observing is needed but also a proper psychological outlook:
the observer must be able to take a completely detached point of view and
must ever be on the watch to guard against some particular hypothesis or
preconceived idea causing actual error instead of fulfilling its proper
function of keeping the powers of observation tuned up to the highest
pitch of alertness. '
The whole spirit and aim of scientific investigation is directed toward
‘the seriation of facts and the devising of general expressions or formulae _
which unite them together. In this it contrasts with the more primitive
state of mental development which observes isolated phenomena, noting the
differences between them but blind to the common features which link
them together. In embryology as in other departments of knowledge the
able investigator sees the general principles which run through and
organize the masses of detail: he interests himself in discovering the
likeness which is hidden under superficial difference; he is constructive
not destructive.
In this volume embryology is treated as a branch of morphology but it
must be borne in mind that morphology and physiology are inseparably
intertwined. The living body whether of an embryo or an adult is above
all a piece of exquisite mechanism fitted to live and move and have its
being, and to ignore this is to make morphology as sterile and as misleading
as would he the study of machinery apart from the movements and
functions of its various parts. More particularly in attempting to delineate
the evolutionary past of .an organ, or set of organs, speculation must
always be rigidly controlled by the reflexion that at each phase in
evolution it nmst have been able to function.
When at length the stage is reached of putting results into form for
publication the first thing to aim at is absolute clearness of expression.
It must be remembered that clearness of language and clearness of thought
are closely interdependent. Sloppy obscure language means sloppy
obscure thought. The greatest care should be taken in the correct and
precise use of technical terms. Argumentation in regard to scientific and
other matters is, when the disputants are equally well informed, due as a
rule to some word or expression being used in slightly different senses.
Elegant literary style, however desirable, must always be subordinate to
clarity and precision of language. Indeed actual harm is sometimes
done to scientific progress by the writer whose literary skill carries away
not merely himself but others of uncritical and impressionable mind.
Scientific problems are eventually settled not by skill in dialectic but by
increase of knowledge.
As a rule the proper presentment of an embryological thesis involves
_ pictorial illustration. In this the elaborate coloured lithographs of former
’ days may conveniently be replaced to a great extent by simple line or
half-tone drawings in India ink ‘or process black which can be reproduced
582 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES APP.
photographically and inserted in the text in contiguity with the passage
which they illustrate. Their function is to render more clear the
statements of the author: they represent as accurately as possible
phenomena as observed by the skilled and trained eye with a brain
behind it. Actual photographs, which repr'(:sent merely details lying in
one particular plane and as seen by the untrained photographic lens,
should be avoided. Apart from the imperfections indicated they are so
blurred by the ordinary processes of reproduction as to be liable to
misinterpretation and in these days of skilful manipulation they are of
course useless as guarantees of truth.
Ahapical, 4
Abdominal pores, 2.31
. I (:(mUI7I(L.s'-brain, 92, 93
C110l1(l1'O(‘1‘fl.1l1l1ll!, 313
egg-shell, 478
heart, 374
liver, 187
nmsclc-bucls, 208
spinal ,<,ranglia, 123
spines, 322
A ¢'(fpr')I.s'r_’1'———arcualia, 295
ccnicnt-nr,«.»,ans, 180
egg: 23
gill-lamellac, origin, 160
segmentation, 23, 24
Am-ochordal cartilage, 315
Actinopterygii-— —
gastrulation, 46
nares, 125
pyloric oaeca, 191
segmentation, 19
Adrenal, 282
Ail‘-l)la.(lI.1(‘I‘ -cvolution of, 173
of Telcosts, 166, 167
Air-sacs, 164, 166
Allantoic vcin, 423 .
Allantois, 212, 471, 476, 549
A lg/tes——
oviposition, 461
A mblystnmu ( = Si'rc(lo7L = Axolotl) —
arcualia, 296
eye, 141
gonad, 269, 272
vertebral centra, 300
vomer with teeth, 332
Am2'a—
air-bladder, 168
cement-organs, 178, 181
segmentation, 24
vertebrae, 297, 339
Amnion, 465
evolutionary origin, 475, 476
Amniota-—
buccal cavity, 148
INDEX
(m-ferences to figures in Clarendon typo)
. Anmiota (van/£mml)——
external gills, physiological replacement
ofl 157 _
gastrulation, 47
liaemal arclics, 297
narcs, 126, 151
2-zclerotome, 205
Amniotic istlniiim, 469
Ampliil)ia—
zulaptations in early dcvelopnient, 458
983’, '1. ‘-31
eiulolyiiiplnatic duct. 132
gastrulation, 238
gomul, 268
lIt‘fl.lt.. 389
rm-.s-mlvrm, origin, 60
opistlioneplnros, 251
pharyngeal clcfts, 159
practical hints, 566
proncphros, 235
segmentation, 27
testicular network, 279
vertebral centra, 299
. I in 12/11 iu.2;u.s- -~
brain, 96
egg, 2, 3
gastrulation, 30, 31
gonad, 267
liver, 186 .
iuesoderm, origin, 57
practical hints, 558
sclerotomc, 286, 286
segmentation, 7, 8, 9
Ampulla, 130
Ancestry of Vertebrata, 503
Anura.——
cement-organs, 80
horny jaws, 75, 76
oral combs, 75, 76
Anus, 51, 144, 192, 194, 497
Aortic arches, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 401
Apical, 4
Archencephalon, 85, 92
Arclienteron. 30
Archinephric duct, 221, 225, 238, 239, 240, ‘
241
Archinephros, 221
583
584 EMBRYOLOGY OF  LOWER VERTEBRATES
Archipallium, 91
Arcualia, 292
Arterial system, 393
Auditory organ, 129, 130
skeleton, 343
Axial mesoderm, 63
Axon, 84
Balancers, 156, 157
Basilar plate, 310
B(lellostoma——egg-envelope, 456
segmentation, 16
tongue, 151
Bilateral segmentation, 9
Birds. See also under Fowl
'- allantois, 471
amnion, 469
auditory organ, 129, 130
blood and vessels, 368
bursa fabricii, 192
carotid arteries, 404
chondrocranium, 314, 316
embryo with amnion, etc., 472, 473
endoderm, 51
'Ilight, origin, 453
heart, 367, 383, 384, 385
liver, 188
lung, 162, 163, 165
mesoderm, origin, 64
mesonephros, 253, 254
Inetanephros, 256
neonychia, 74
neural crest, 122
neurenteric canal, 53
otocyst, 129, 130
pancreas, 191
pecten, 140, 552
pelvis, 956
pleural cavity, 202
practical study, 508-557
primitive streak. 53, 519, 520
pronephros, 237
ureter, 257
venous system, 425
Blastocoele, 7
Blastoderm, 7
name, 505
Blastomere, 5
Blastopore, 31, 496
Blastula, 7
Blood, 365
islands, 368
vessels, 368
Bombz'nator—external gills, 156
lung, 169
pancreas, 191
with grafted limb, 115
Bone, 321, 332
evolution, 333
Bonesdental, 332, 334
investment, 335
Bones (conlimwd)——
substitution, 335
Brain, 85
anterior end of, 90
sagittal sections, 88, 93, 146, 147, 149
Branchial-— arch, skeleton, 318
buds, 177
Buccal cavity, 145
glands, 152
solid rudiment, 148, 149
Bw,fo——
cement-organs, 79
Bursa fabricii, 192
Calcareous bodies of Frog, 132
Oallurhynclms-—
arcualia, 297
scales, 323
teeth, 330
Carotid arteries, 403
Cartilage, 292
Cell—continuity, 37, 486
Cement-organs of Lung-fish and Amphibians,
'18, 79, 80, 181
of '.l‘e1eostomi, 178
Cephalization, 54
Gem led us—
egg. 25
external form, 436
limb-skeleton, 350
lung or air-bladder, 169, 172
nares, 125
pancreas, 191
pronephros, 231
segmentation, 25, 26
teeth, 324, 330, 331
thymus, 177
Cerebcllunn, 89
Cerebral flexure, 92
Corebrum, 85
Chalaza, 515
Ohalcidcs—-—
placenta, 481
Chameleon-—
air-sacs, 162.
tooth-succession, 328
" Cheiropterygium, 356, 357
Olwlomla (= Ohelone)—
amnion, 466, 467, 468
gastrular lip, 49
neurenteric canal, 52
Ohelydra, amnion, 466
Chiasma, optic, 87
Chondrocranium, 306, 317
Choroid, 139
fissure, 135
Chromatophores, 80, 82
Chroniophile organs; 283
Ciliation of ectoderm, 70
Claw, 74
pad, 74, 75
Clefts, visceral (pharyngeal, branchial,
gill), 158
Olemmys, amnion, 466, 458
Cloaca, 192
Cochlea, 129
Coelome, 59, 197
Collecting tubes, renal, 247, 256, 257
Commissure—anterior, 87
posterior, 89
superior, 89
Connective tissue, 291
Cornea, 139
Cortex, 91
Crocodilia-blood-vessels, 401
carotid arteries, 404
heath 391
neonychia, 75
tooth-succession, 329
Crossopterygii (Pol3/pte*ms)-segmentation, 19
Org/ptob'ra'nchus—
‘ ciliation of external gills, 156
Cuticle, 70
Cyclostomatagenital pores, 246
horny teeth, 77, 78
olfactory organ, 128
pancreas, 189 ’
Delamination, 34
Demersal, 20
Dentine, 322, 325
Dermis, 69
Diaphragm of Birds, 164
Diplospondyly, 341
Dipnoi (Lung-iish)——
practical hints, 565
Disc, germinal, 4
Dorsal lip of blastopore, 32
Dorsal sac, 89
Ductus venosus, 539
Ectoderm, 30
name, 505
Eggenvelopes, 455, 515
size, 2
tooth, 326
Elasmobranchii (Sharks, Skates, etc.)-—
aortic arches, 398
archinephric duct, 240
arcualia, 295
blastoderms, 560
brain, 92, 93
chondroeranium, 312
chromophile organs, 284
external gills, physiological replace
ment of, 157
fin rudiments, 445
gastrulation, 45
gill-filaments, 160
heart, 366, 373, 374
interrenals, 283
lens, 138, 139
INDEX
Elasmohranchii (crmtz"nued)—~
limb-skeleton, 351
liver, 187
mesoderm of head, 208
motor nerve-trunk, 111
Mtilleriau ducts, 243, 244
muscle-buds, 207
neural crest, 122
opisthonephros, 247, 248
origin of mesoclerm, 63
otocyst, 132
ovary, 276
pancreas, 189
peritoneal funnels, 251
pharyngeal elefts, 158
practical hints, 559
pronephros, 236, 237
segmentation, 12, 14, 15, 29
sympathetic, 124
urinogenital sinus, 242
vasa efferentia, 279
venous system, 413
viviparity, 478
Electrical organs, 212
Embryonic development, 464
Enamel, 322, 325
Eudoderm, 30
name, 505
' secondary, 49
Endolymphatic duct, 130, 132
End-plate, motor, 204
Enterou, 58, 144, 146
development of openings, 193
muscular sheath, 217
temporary occlusion, 192
Epidermis, 70
Equatorial, 5
Eye, 133, 134, 136
evolutionary origin, 141
muscles, 210
Face, 555 *
Feathers, 71, 72
Fin—rays, 346
Fins, median, 439
skeleton, 346
paired, 441
skeleton, 349, 353
Flask-glands, 79
Foregut, 144
solid, 148, 521
Fowl, common—blood-vessels, 550
early blastoderms, 519
egg, 514, 515
embryosflrst day, 522
second day, 524-532
third day, 532-546
- fourth day, 546-549
fifth day, 548-551
sixth day, 551, 552
seventh day, 558, 554
sagittal sections, 525, 543
585
586 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES
Fowl (continued)-—
segmentation, 516, 517
Fronto-nasal process, 147, 555
Gamete, 1
Ganoids, actinopterygian (A cipenser, Amia,
Lepi¢losteus)—
cement-organs, 180
gastrulation, 47
opisthonephros, 259
ovary, 277
pancreas, 189
practical hints, 568
pronephros, 234
segmentation, 23, 24
Ganoine, 326, 336
Gcastraea, 506
Gastrula, 30
Gastrulation, 30
Gecko——
enrlolymphatic duct, 132
gastrulation, 48, 50
Genital fold, 268
pores, 246
ridge, 267
G'mtcz'a——
pineal eyes, 100
Germ cavity, 16
layer theory, Historical note, 505
layers, delimitation, 150, 181
wall, 17
(terminal epithelium, 268
Gills——evolutionary history, 160, 419
external, 154, 155, 157, 450
as forerunners of linibs, 449
internal, 159
Glomerulus, 223
Glottis, 161
Gonad, 266
Gonocytes, 266
Grafted limb of Toad, 115
(I3/m.narclms——
egg, 20
external form, 432
gill-filaments, 160
Gyn1nophiona—external gills, 155, 156
gastrulation, 42, 43
pronephros, 223
segmentation, 28
Habenular commissure, 89
ganglia, 89»
Haemal arches, 292, 296
process, 297
spine, 297
Haploid, 17
Hatching, 459
Head fold, 521
general morphology, 498
process, 53, 521
segmentation of, 208, 501
Heart, general morphology, 370, 391
Hemispheres, cerebral, 86, 91, 95
Hippocaznpus, 91
Holohlastic, 7
Holonephros ( =archinepl1ros), 221
{I3/laexternal gills, 156
with eggs, 462
Hyostylic skull, 320
Hypobranchial, hypoglossal, muscles, 212,
213
Hypochord, 290
1Iypogeophi.e—chromophile organs, 284
external form, 437
gills, 155
gastrulation, 42, 43
interrenals, 284
opisthonephros, 246
pharyngeal clefts, 159
proncphros, 224-227
thymus, 177
llypophysis cerehri, 142
[Cht]L_1/up/I 133intestine in section, 186
modelling of intestine, 183
segmentation, 28
If/Il.¢'I)l!(, pineal eye, 97
I nfundibular gland, 90
lnfumlibulum, 86
Internielliate cell-mass, 253
Interrenal, 283 ‘
Intestine, 145, 183, 184, 185, 186
lnvagination, 32
Iris, 136
lsolecithal, 4
Jacobson’s organ, 128
Kidneys, evolutionary origin, 217, 221
Labial cartilages, 307
La('€rla—-—
archenteron, 51
heart, 380
neural arches, 296
pancreas, 191
pineal eye, 97, 98, 99
tympanic cavity, 343
venous system, 422, 424
yolk-plug, 50
Lachrymal groove, 551
Lagena, 129
Lamina terminalis, 90
Larvae, evolutionary significance, 492
Lateral line organs, 132
Latitudinal, 6
Lens, 133, 138, 139
Lepidos~.Iren—brain, 85, 86, 87, 88
buceal cavity, 149
cement-organs, 78, 79
chondrification of notochordal sheath,
293
chondrocranium, 308, 309, 311
INDEX
Lepz'dos£1'm (mntz'1meol)~~
compound nature of pharyngeal constrictor muscle, 217
eggs
external form, 434
external gills. 154
gastrulation, 34, 35, 36
heart, 375, 379
lung, 162, 170, 171
modelling of intestine, 184, 185
motor nerve-trunks, 106, 108, 109, 110
myotome, 201, 202, 203
neural rudiment, 496
olfactory nerve, 113
optic rudiment, 136
origin of mesoderm, 58
otocyst, 131
pancreas, 190
Pinkus’s organ, 133
pronephros, 231, 232, 233
respiratory limbs, 451
rods, 13?
sclerotome, 285
segmentation, 26
skull and inyotomes, 213
teeth, 324, 331
thymus, 177
thyroid, 175
venous system, 107, 409
Lcpi¢lo.cteu.s-bone and scales, 334cement-organs, 181
external form, 431
muscle-lnuls, 206
ovary, 277
segmentation, 24, 25
Limbs, 441
evolutionary origin, 443
skeleton, 349
varying situation, 448
Liver. 1°86
Lung, 161 Lung-fish (bopirlosirm, 1’/'otoptcrus, ('em!0¢lus)—
cement-organs, 78, 79
eloacal caecum, 242
egg, 25
eye muscles, 211
hypobranchial muscles, 212, 213
opisthonephros, 260
otocyst, 131
practical hints, 565
segmentation, 25, 26
' vasa efforentia, 279
Lymphatic system, 426
Macromere, 6~
Malpighian body, 227, 246, 260
Mandibular arch, 319
ridge, 145
Maxillary process, 127
ridge, 145
Medullary folds, groove, plate, 83
sheath, 85
587
Meridional, 5
Merohlastic, 7
Merocyte, 14, 17, 18
Mesencephalon, 87
lVIesenchyme, 66, 286, 506
Mesenteric arteries, 407
Mesenteron, 144
Mesentery, 199
Mesoderm, axial and peripheral, 63
general remarks on, 54, 506
lateral, 59
origin of, 65
segments, 59
of head, 208
Mesonephros, 221, 253, 254
Mesothelium, 67
Metanephros, 221, 256
Methods, embryologival, 573
Mieromere, 6
Micropyle, 457
Month, 498
Mulleriau duct (oviduct), 242
1VIusele-buds, 205, 206, 207,208
Muscles, 205
of median fins, 205, 206
of paired fins, 206, 207
Myoblast, 201, 202, 203, 204
Myocoele, 202
Myoepithelial cells, 202, 204
Myosepta, 202
Myotomes, 198, 201, 203
Myxinoids——
_ pericardiac cavity, 200
segmentation, 18
spawning locality, 559
Nares, 125
external, temporary obliteration of, 129
internal, Anmiota, 151
Nasal process, median, 127
Nectu rlI.s- rih, 304
Neonychium, 74, 75
N eopallium, 91
Nephridia, 217
Nephrocoele, 198, 226
' N ephrostome, 222
Neplirotome, 198
N ephrotomes, secondary, 247
N erve development, general discussion, 113,
345
optic, 140
pineal, 97
Nerves as landmarks, 345
cranial, 122
sensory, 112
Nerve-trunks, motor, 102, 104, 105, 106,
108, 109, 110, 111, 204
Nervous system, 82
evolutionary origin, 1 18
Neural arches, 292, 294
crest, 121
spine, 296
tube, 83
588 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES
Neurenteric canal, 41, 51, 52, 53 Petromyzon (crmtinued)—-—
Neurite, 84 thyroid, 176
Neurobiotaxis, 121 tongue, 151
Neuroblasts, 84 veins, 416
Neurofibrils, 85, 112, 119 Pharynx, 153
Neuroglia, 84 I 1’hyllobates, 462
N euromasts, 132 [’Ia,:/llomedusa—
Neuromery, 101 ' early stages, 567, 568
Neurone, 84 egg-laying, 459, 460
theory, 104 lens, 139 “Normal plates,” 575 Pigment, egg, 4
Notochord, 147, 289 skin, 80
Notatrema, 463 Pigments, melanin, 81
Nuclear division, synchronism of, 16, 17, 22 Pineal body, 87, 96
eye, 96, 97, 98. 99
Odontoblasts, 322 Pinkns’s organ, 133
Olfiactory bulb, 91 Pipu, 461
organ, 125 Pituitary body, 90, 1-12
tract or peduncle, 94 Placenta, 465, 480
tubercle, 91 Placodes, nerve, 123
Ontogeny, general principles, 484 Planula, 506
Opaque area, 518 ' Plasmodesms, 111
Opercnlum, 158 Platybasic, 307
Opisthonephros, 221, 246 I’lat_2/clactg/[us---—
Optic cup, 134 gastrular lip, 49
Qlerve, 140 gastrnlation, 48, 50
recess, 90 Pleural cavity, 202
thalamus, 89 Plexus, choroid, 91
’Otocyst, 129 Pneumatic duct, 161
Ovary, 274 Poison-fangs, 326, 329
Overgrowth, 32 , Polar cartilage, 313, 315
Ovidnct (Miillerian duct), 242 . 1’oZ,I/pteru_s———
archinephric duct, 241
Palaeontology and Evolution, 502 blood-corpus-cles, 365
Imludicola, larval jaws, 76 brain, 85, 95, 146
Pancreas, 189 eement—org-ans, 178, 179
evolutionary origin, 19] dorsal aorta, 363, 364, 365
Pander, nucleus of, 514 egg, 3
Panizza, foramen of, 391 external form, 430
Parachordal cartilages, 307, gastrulation, 19, 32, 33
Paraphysis, 87 heart, 388
Parapineal body, 97 limb-skeleton, 353
Pecten, 552 lung, 169, 172, 173
Pectoral girdle, 354, 357 male genital duct, 281
Pellucid area, 518 olfactory organ, 127, 128
Pelvic girdle, 355, 358 opisthonephros, 258
Periblast, 23 oviduct, 278Pericardiac cavity, 200, 210 pancreas, 147, 189
Perricardio-peritoneal canal, 200 practical hints, 562
Periderm, 70 ‘ pronephros, 228, 229
Peripheral mesoderm, 63 sagittal sections, 146, 147
Peritoneal canal, 226 scales, 336
funnel, 226, 227, 251 sclerotome, 285
funnels, persistent, 251, 253 ' segmentation, 19
Peritonenm, 217 _ size of egg, 2
Pet’:-omyzon (Lamprey)—— ‘ venous system, 416, 418
arcualia. 294, 296, 299 Polyspermy, 17
gastrulation, 37, 88 ' Postanal gut, 145, 147, 195
horny teeth, 77 Postbranchial body, 178 ‘
liver, 187 Pouch, enterocoelic, 57
mesoderm segments of head, 21] Primary cell-layers, 30
pericardiac cavity, 200 Primitive groove, 53
pineal eyes, 99 plate, 48
practical hints, 559 streak, 51, 53, 495, -197, 519, 620
INDEX 589
1’rz'stim-u.9——heart, 366
lens, 139
motor nerve-trunk, 111
muscle-buds, 208
opisthonephros, 248, 260
origin of mesoderm, 63
ostium tnbae, 243
segmentation, 14, 16
Proamnion, 467
Proctodaeum, 144
Proncphric chamber, secondary, 231, 236
Pronephros, 221, 222-237
in adult Teleosts, 235
Protonephridium, 218 .
P7'0t0pt('rus-—
buccal cavity, 149
chonclrocranium, 308, 309, 311
larva, renal organs, 230
lung, 169, 190
olfactory organ, 125, 126
otocyst, 131
pancreas, 190
l’inkus’s organ, 133
Protostoma, 3]
theory, 493
Protostylic skull, 320
Pmtovertebrae, 59
Protovertebral stalk, 198
Pseudobranch, 169
Pulmonary artery, 402
Pyloric caeca, 191
Pyriform lobe, 91
Radial segmentation, 9
Rain, (Skatc)——electrical organ, 213, 214, 216
embryos. 662
practical hints, 560
R(ma———
buccal cavity, 148
calcareous bodies, 132
cement-organs, 80
ciliation of ectoderm. 70
egg-envelopes, 459, 460
eye, 140, 141
gastrulation, 38, 40
heart rudiment, 361
larval teeth, 76
origin of mesoderm, 61, 62
renal organs, 222, 223
segmentation, 10. 11, 12, 13, 28
Recapitulation, 490, 505
Recess (of labyrinth), 129
Rectal caebum, 192
Renal ducts, evolutionary origin, 264
organs, general, 217, 261
Repti1ia—- ,
aortic arches, 896, 396, 397
archenteron, 51
egg-tooth, 326
embryological material, 570
gastrular lip, 49
Reptilia (continu,ed)——
gastrulation, 47
opisthonephros, 260
origm of mesoderm, 64
pronephros, 238
vertebral centra, 301
viviparity, 480
Retina, 135, 137
Rhacop/wrus, 461
Rhinodcrma, 462
Iflwdeus, air-bladder, 167
Rhombenccphalon, 85, 89
Rhomboidal sinus, 525
Ribs, 302
Saccule, 130
Salamanalm (Salamamh-r)——
heart, 389
opisthonephros, 262
rib, 304
tongue, 160
venous system, 421
vertebral centra, 300
viviparity, 480
Swlmn———
air-bladder, 168
egg, 20
gonad, 267
heart, 389
lepidotrichia, 347
opisthonephros, 259
ovary, 277
pronephros, 234
pseudobranch, 169
segmentation, 21, 22
Sarcoplasm, sarcolemma, ‘Z03
Sauropsida.—lung, 162
segmentation, 29
Scales, cycloid, 336
ganoid, 336
of Birds, 73
placoid, 321, 322Reptilian, 71
Schneiderian folds, 128
Sclerotic, 139
Sclerotome, 67, 198, 205, 286, 286,
538
Sag/llium-—
chromophile organs, 284
elongated buccal opening, 147, 148
interrenal, 283
practical hints, 561
segmentatién, 14, 16
vertebral contra, 298
Segmentation; 5
abortive, 14, 29
cavity, 7
metameric, 500
of coelome, 197, 199
of head region, 500, 601
Semicircular canals, 129
Sero-amniotic connexion, 469
590 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES
Serous membrane, 469
Serranus, segmentation. 21
Sheath, medullary, 85, 112
of notochord, chondrification, 293
primitive, gray, 105, 110, 112
Shield, embryonic, 48
Siredmz (Amblystoma, Axolotl), lens, 139
Skin, 69
Skull, 306, 341
Some, 266
Somatopleure, 144
Somites, inesoblastic, 59
Spite?! oduu -—pincal eye, 97, 99
ribs, 305
vertebrae, ossification, 338
-_ vertebral centra, 302
Spinal cord, 83
ganglia, 121
S'pinaa:—muscle-biuls, 207
occipital niyotonics, 209
visceral arch skeleton, 321
Spiracle, 158, 344
Spiral segmentation, 9
talve of intestine, 183, 184. 185
Splanchnic mesoderm, 144
Splanchnocoelc, 198
Splanchnopleure, 144
Spleen, 427 \
Spongioblasts, 84
Sternuin, 305
Stoinodaeuin, 144
Subclavian artery, 405
Subgerminal cavity, 49
Subnotoehordal rod, 290
Suprapericardial body, 178
Suprarenal, 282
S3/mbrancIms-external form, 444
opercnlar opening, 158
Symmetry of egg, 8, 11
Sympathetic, 124
Syncytium, yolk, 16, 22
Tail, autotomy in Lizards, 338
evolutionary origin, 453
form, 440
Technique of Embryology———
Amphibia, 566
Birds, 508
Fishes, 558
general, 573
Tectum opticum, 89
Teeth, 323
succession, 327
Telencephalon, 95
Teleostei (ordinary Fishes)-—
air-bladder, 166, 167
brain, 95, 96
cement-organs, 182
egg, 20 '
falciform process, 140
Teleostei (contz'mwd)——
gastrulation, 46
lepidotrichia, 347
- male genital duet, 281
opisthonephros, 259
ovary, 276, 277
oviduct, 276, 278
pancreas, 190
practical hints, 564
pronephros, 234
segmentation, 19, 21, 22
separation ‘of yolk-sac, 464
urinary bladder, 242
viviparity, 479
Telolecithal, 4
Terminal sinus,‘ 527, 533
Testicular network, evolution, 279
'|‘estis, 274
'l‘halamenccpbalon 87
'l‘halamns, 89
'I‘hyinus, 177
Thyroid, 1'76
evolutionary origin, 176
Tongue, 150
Tovymtlo (Electric Ray)~—
buccal opening, 1-17
fin rudiments, 445
gastrulation, 4:5
heart, 366
inesoderin segments in head, 209
muscle-buds, 208
ostium tubae, 243
pronephros, 237
segmentation, 14, 15
vertebral centra, 299
'l‘rabeculae cranii, 307
'l‘rachea, 161
’I’r¢'tun (N ewt)—heart, origin, 360, 361
larvae, 157
opisthonephros, 252
origin of incsoderm, 62
rib, 304
tongue, 150
vertebral centra, 300
Trophonemata, 479
'l‘ropibasic, 307
Tropiclowwtus (European Grass Snakc)—origin of mesoderm, 64
Turbinals, 128
Tympanic cavity, 344
membrane, 344
Umbilical vein, 423
Ureter, 257
Urodela, segmentation, 29
Utricle, 130
Valvula cerebelli, 95
Vanellus, primitive streak, 53
Vase. etferentia, 272, 273, 279
Velar membrane, 145
L ‘Veliun transversum, 90
Vena. cam anterior (superior), 420
posterior (inferior), 410, 419
Venous system, 407
Ventricle, lateral, 91
Vertebra, components of, 339
Vertebrae, ossification, 337
Vertebral centre, 293, 297
Vertical furrow, 6
Vipers, poison-fang, 326, 329
Visceral arches, skeleton, 318, 321
clefts, 158
Vitelline artery, 237, 550
Vitreous body, 135, 140
Viviparity, 478
INDEX
Wolfllan duct, 254
Yolk, 2, 488
colour, 3
-plug, 33
-sac, 464
-stalk, 186
-~4yncytium, 16, 22
Z ygote, l
' envelopes, 455
lamp or Von. 11
Przartrd by R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, Edinburgh.


retraction into body, 475


591
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Kerr JG. Text-Book of Embryology II (1919) MacMillan and Co., London.

Textbook Chapters: 1 Formation of the Germ Layers | 2 Skin and Derivatives | 3 Alimentary Canal | 4 Coelomic Organs | 5 Skeleton | 6 Vascular | 7 Internal Body Features | 8 Adaptation to Environmental Conditions | 9 General Considerations | 10 Common Fowl | 11 Lower Vertebrates | Appendix

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Chapter VI Vascular System

As has already been indicated the vascular system of the animal body consists of strands of highly specialized niesenchyme——-the cells (corpuscles) along the axes of the strands being detached from one another and Heating freely in a fluid intercellular substance (plasma), while the superficial cells are united together to form the walls of. tubular channels-—~—the vessels. The vessel walls are provided with a coating of muscle-fibres and this muscular coat becomes greatly thickened and specialized at one or more points to form hearts which serve as pumps to force the blood through the system of vessels. '

The fundamental plan of the Vertebrate vascular system appears to have been like that of an Annelid worm, with two main longitudinal blood-vessels, situated respectively one on the neural side of the alimentary canal and one on the side opposite to this, connected together by a series of half-hoop shaped vessels encircling the alimentary canal laterally. In the Vertebrate the longitudinal vessel on the neural side of the alimentary canal is the dorsal aorta and in it the blood runs in a tailward direction. The longitudinal vessel on the other (ventral) side of the alimentary canal develops the heart on its course: its precardiac portion is the ventral aorta, its postcardiac the subintestinal vein. In this ventral vessel the blood passes in a headward direction. Half-hoop shaped vessels lying in front of the heart and connecting ventral aorta and dorsal aorta are the aortic arches.

0 c YER'1‘EBRA'rEs.— mongst holob as 10 er e rates the first steps in the deve opment of the vessels have been investigated in the Newt (Triton) by Mollier (1906) and his account will here be followed.

In an embryo with six mesoderm segments the lateral sheetsof mesoderm have met ventrally except in the region of the liver where they terminate in a free edge. This free edge is thickened and the thickening extends back along the mid-ventral line towards the cloaca as the rudiment of the subintestinal vein—the entire thickening having thus a Y-shape (Fig. 173, A).

360 (:11. VI ORIGIN OF THE HEARTANI) VESSIELS 361

At a stzigu with ‘twelve segments this Y-shaped vascular rudiment is continued forwards as a couple of strands of cells, lying on each side on the inner surface of the splanchnic mesoderm and apparently derived from it. These are destined to give rise in their hinder portions to the two vitelline veins and in their anterior region to the first rudiments of the heart (_ Fig. 17 2, A, (me).

At a stage with fifteen segments the paired strands of cells have assumed a disposition like that shown in Fig. 173, B. They approach one another as the mesoderm extends downwards and presently fuse across the mesial plane (Fig. 172, B and O), the fused portion being the rudiment of the heart while the two :1.nteri.or limbs represent the first (mandibular) pair of aortic arches and the two posterior

FIG. 172.——Ventral portions of transverse sections of young Amphibians to illustrate the tlcvclopment of the he:u't:.. (R.-is-a_sal on ligln-o_-s by M olli¢_.:r. 1906.)

A, B, I), E, ’1'*r-Him (A twelve segments, B sixt.oa_-n ¢ln., l) 1.\u-nty «ln., I41 twenty-six do.); (.‘, R--nu. a.l.mc, dorsal mesocardium; eat, ectoclernn; rm-, «-mlm-.:n-«lium; mm‘. t'lI(l(Nlt‘l'lll; me, myouardium; mes, mesoderm; pa, pm-icardiac cavity; -v.mn, ventral lIlcs()(‘u.l'Ilillll1.

limbs the vitelline veins. The heart rudiment is at first extremely short in an antero—posterior direction being much broader than it is long. This is correlated with the shortness of the foregut. As the latter lengthens the heart rudiment keeps pace with it, and becomes elongated (Fig. 173, D). As it does so the tissue within the rudiment becomes loosened and takes the form of a syncytial network with wide meshes. .

In the meantime the mesoderni on each side, now containing a wide coelomic (pericardiac) space, has grown down to the mesial plane ventral to the heart, so as to give rise to a ventral mesocardium which however only persists for a short time (Fig. 172,

C and D, mnc). About this same period fluid begins to collect in.

the interstices between the cells of the subintestinal strand, with the result that some of the cells in its interior assume a spherical 362 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.

form and are recognizable as embryonic blood eorpnscles. Mollier notes that about this stage the subintestinal strand comes into extremely close relation to the yolk—cells, there being in places apparently complete continuity between the two-——hence the conclusion on the part of observers who did not study earlier stages that the vascular strand was actually derived directly from the endoderm.

About the stage with sixteen to eighteen segments the rudiments of the Duct of Guvier and dorsal aorta become apparent, in the form of cells at iirst scattered and later joined into strands. The aorta cells anteriorly often show eonnexions with the sclerotomes and

Fm. 173.-——Rongh diagram to illllstl.':1tc the form of the early rudiments of heart, vitel1ine_

veins, and -‘x-ul'»intestinnl vein in Triton as seen in plan. A, six mesoderm segment stage; B, fifteen segments; (2, eighteen segments ; l), twenty segments.

u..e.l, mandibular aortic arch ; cl, position of clones; H, heart; L, position of liver; .~:.-a'..v, subintestzinal vein; -v.-r, vitelline vein.

Mollier admits that some of them may actually be derived from the sclerotomes (see p. 364) though he considers that the main source of origin is the upper angle of the lateral mesoderm.

At the stage with twenty segments a network of fine channels has appeared over the surface of the yolk, between it and the mesoderm, foreshadowing the vitelline network of blood-vessels. The subintestinal strand has become still looser in texture and prolongations may be found passing from it inwards amongst the

~yolk—cells.' ” The heart has now attained the form of a. straight tube

the protoplasmic strands in its interior disappearing while its superficial cells take on an endothelial character, and are recognizable as the endocardium. The splanchnic mesoderm has become closely moulded round it ventrally and laterally (Fig. 172, D) forming the rudiment of the myocardium and the latter begins to show contractions causing slight movement of the fluid contents of the heart. VI ORIGIN OF THE HEART AND VESSELS 363

By the twenty-seven segment stage the anterior limbs of the subintestinal strand have become detinite (vitelline) veins with well-defined lumen filled with fluid in which spherical young corpuscles float freely. The large flat cells forming the wall are probably simply the modified superficial cells of the strand though Mollier thinks these may be reinforced by additional mesoderm cells from without. The vitelline veins are continued in front into the posterior venous limbs of the hea.rt and the heart itself is seen in transverse sections (Fig. 172, E) to be now completely enclosed in myocardium, the inner wall of the pericardiac space having become moulded right over its dorsal side. Where the two sheets of mcsoderm, one from each side, have met dorsal to the heart there still persists a septum——the dorsal mesocardium (Fig. 17 2, E, cl.m.<:) which serves to sling up the heart to the ventral side of the foregut.

The dorsal aorta is at this stage particularly instructive. Posteriorly it is represented by scattered cells, lateral in position, thus betraying their lateral origin. .Further forwards these have approached the mesial plane and form a pair of cellular strands. Further forwards still in the region of the first eight segments—— these have become still more nearly mcsial in position and ever part of their extent have undergone actual fusion to form the unpaired aortic rudiment.

About this stage the dorsal aortic rudiment is connected up to the vitelline network by a series of segmentally arranged vessels (segments 5-17) which had made their appearance about the twentysegment stage as segmentally arranged strands of cells.

The rudiments of the ducts of Ouvier make their appearance even earlier than that of the dorsal aorta, in the form of cells derived according to Mollier from the somatic mesoderm at the cranial side of the pronephros. These rudiments develop extensions iii a headward and in a tailward direction to form the cardinal veins. ’l‘he vessels of the head region develop in situ from the mesenchyme and the same may probably be said of the smaller vessels generally.

The Crossopterygian fish 1’ol_2/pterus (Graham Kerr, 1907) is, apart from its generally archaic character, particularly suitable for the study of the first beginnings of the vascular system owing to the fact that the long axis of the embryonic body is straight, so that horizontal as well as sagittal sections may be made passing through practically the whole length of the dorsal aorta during its early stages, when in its hinder portion it has not yet taken definite form.

The first conspicuous stage in the development of the dorsal aorta consists in the collecting together of irregular multinucleate masses of yolky protoplasm in a row beneath the hypochord (Fig. 174, A). Vacuolar spaces develop in these masses and foreshadow the aortic cavity. The masses of protoplasm become more closely aggregated into a cylindrical shape while the vacuolar spaces increase enormously in size and eventually flow together to form the continuous aortic cavity. In the specimen figured in 364 EMBRYOLOGY or THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.

Fig. 174, B, the cavity was perfectly continuous towards the head end, while posteriorly it was still in the form of isolated vacuoles. The cells which form the rudiment of the dorsal aorta are from their coarsely-yolked character clearly derived ultimately from the primitive endoderm, but the question remains whether they are derived from the definitive endoderm directly or through the inter FIG. 174.-—l’m‘fiunH of horizontal sections through I‘ul‘:_/[1/wrI1.s' larv:u+ 0l'.~t1i.ge.s' ‘Z4 + (A) zunl 25 (B) showing the rudiment of the aorta in longitudinal section.

A, aortic rndinn-nt; m..r..-, vacuole-.~;.

mediary of the mesoderm. Such a section as that shown in Fig. 175 indicates that the latter is the case. The definitive endoderm shows a perfectly sharply defined surface, clearly marked off from the aortic rudiment, while the mesoderm of the sclerotome on the other hand is continuous with the aortic rudiment. We may say therefore with high probability that the aortic cells are derived from the sclerotome.

A remarkable feature has been noticed'in the development of the VI ORIGIN OF DORSAL AORTA IN POLYPTERUS 365

dorsal aorta of Polypterus which requires further investigation both in that genus and in any other Vertebrates in which it may be found to occur. In Polypterus in the stage immediately preceding that in which the aortic cells collect together the position of the future aorta is distinctly marked out by the arrangement of the delicate reticulum that is visible connecting up the various organ-rudiments of the larva. This reticulum is usually regarded as an artifact caused by the action of the fixing and preserving solutions upon the albuminous substances contained in the fluids of the embryonic body but the fact that it becomes arranged in this peculiar fashion to._ foreshadow the future aorta at once raises the question whether it is not really a reticulum of living substance.

The aortic cavity in Polypterru-s has been seen to originate by the fusion of intracellular vacuoles. The cavity is filled with clear fluid and T1 this condition persists even after the main channels of the vascular system are ].aid down. The blood is at first simply fluid or plasma without corpuscles. This plasmatic condition may persist even after circulation has commenced and the heart propels through the vessels simply the clear cell—less fluid. Here we find repeated in ontogeny an extremely archaic condition of the circulation. The Plasma’ beconles peopled with Ifie. ]75.—Portion of transverse section corpuscles comparatively suddenly. through Polyptcms of stage 25

The portions of vessel wall lying “1“;?"i“gt“:f :°1‘;;i°““l°_ft‘1‘° “°'l'°i° external to the lining endothelium rm ""9" (_ ) “C m °me('9°)' appear to arise from mesenchyme W’ °"‘°"“l’,,‘,"“n::Zc‘1,:;;,”d’_""'°t°""" cells.

SOURCE on THE CORPUSCLES.—'-The blood corpuscles are to be looked on, broadly speaking, as mesenchyme cells which have lost their connexion with their neighbours and float free

_in the plasma. Their precise sources in ontogeny ‘appear to be

various :—

(1) They can frequently be seen in process of being budded off by the wall of the embryonic blood-vessel into its cavity.

(2) In other cases the vessel with its contents is seen to arise as a solid mass of cells, those at the periphery becoming the wall (endothelium) of the vessel rudiment while those more deeply placed round themselves off, becoming separated by chinks containing fluid, and develop into corpuscles. This may be regarded as a 366 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES t CH.

modification of (1) brought about by a hurrying on of the develop ment of the corpuscles.

(3) In still other cases the cells of the mesenchyme reticulum in certain localities e._q. in the spaces between the tubules of the pronephros draw in their processes, round themselves ofi' and are carried away in the blood stream as primitive corpuscles.

This last mode of origin may account for the fact that the

Flu, 176.——-"Portions of transverse sections through Ela.~nnobrancl1 enibryos illustrating the origin of the heart.

A, ’1’m'pedo, stage with one gill cleft; B, 7'()1'pe(lo, stage with two gill clefts; (3, .1’r-istiu:-us, stag.-,-e with twenty-five st-.,«_»;ments; D, I-’ri..-I2'.u-rw.«:, stage with forty segments. (After figures by Riiekert ([388) and Mollier (l906).) cl.-nue, dorsal mesocardinm; mo, endoeardimn; and, endoderm of foregut: me, myoeardiunl; mes, mesodenn; N, notochord ; pt‘, pericardiuc cavity; 3.0, spinal cord; splc, splanelmoeoele.

corpuscles have been observed to make their appearance suddenly in large numbers in the circulating blood. The sudden setting free of large numbers of corpuscles is possibly due ‘to an epidemic of mitosis in the mesenchyme cells, as it is well. known that the onset of the mitotic process frequently induces a retraction of the processes of the cell.-body and its assumption of an approximately spherical shape. ’

It is not proposed to trace out in this volume the further development of the blood corpuscles—-—how the originally similar indifferent V1 ORIGIN OF THE HEART AND VESSELS 367

corpuscles become differentiated with further development into specialized strains—Erythrocytes or Red corpuscles and the various types of Leucoeytes; for an account of this in Lepidosiren the student may be referred to the beautiful memoir by Bryce (1905).

The mode of origin of the vascular system in the holoblastic vertebrates in general seems to resemble in its main lines that described above. The chief question that has given rise to discussion is one which in the opinion of the present writer resolves itself very much into a question of mere verbal expression—namely whether it is more correct to state that the first rudiments of the vascular system (or parts of them) are derived from mesoderm or from endoderm. When it is borne in mind that the mesoderm of the Vertebrate is essentially a derivative of the endoderm, it will be realized that the questioll is of minor importance whether or not special portions, such as rudiments of the vascular system in particular cases, lag behind the main 1nesoderm_ in their separation from the endoderm, so as to originate fron1 the latter directly instead of from the already differentiated mesoderm.

On1c1N or THE lI1«:An'r IN MEROBLA IC VEIm::s1iA'1‘Es.——The heart 111 its earliest stages shows in mere » astic vertebrates generally a set of conditions quite similar to those met with in holoblastic forms. In Elasmobranchs (Fig. 176, A) the first obvious rudiment of the heart is in the form of a number of cells of irregular shape which make their appearance on each side of the foregut, between it and the splanchnic mesoderm, from which latter they are apparently derived. As the foregut separates off from the endoderm of the yolk the irregular row of these cells shifts downwards and towards the mesial plane, so as to form a single elongated group underlying the foregut 1 (Fig. 17 6, B). The individual cells unite together and form a syncytial mass containing vacuolar spaces (Fig. 176, C, ens). Finally (Fig. 176, 1)) this elongated mass assumes a tubular form, its vacuoles coalescing and increasing in volume to form a wide cavity, while the protoplasm becomes thinner and forms the endothelial wall. The myocardium (mo) comes to surround the endothelial tube in exactly the way described for holoblastic forms.

In the Sauropsida again the phenomena are similar. To take as an example the Fowl: about the stage When two or three segments areformed isolated cardiac cells begin to appear on each side between the endoderm and splanchnie mesoderm. These cells increase in number and form a longitudinal tract on each side, the two converging and meeting anteriorly. As the foregut becomes constricted off the two cardiac strands come together from before backwards in front of the yolk-stalk though even at the eight-segment stage they are not completely fused. The endothelial rudiment now forms a loose syncytial spongework with large meshes containing


1 Ruckert (1888) believes them to be reinforced by cells derived from the ventral endoderm of the foregut. 368 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES C11.

fluid. The myocardium develops as in the other forms already mentioned.

ORIGIN or 'rm+: l’ERIPHERAI. BLOOD-VESSELS IN THE MERo13LAs'r1o VEl{'1‘l¢3BRA'l‘ES.-——ln those Vertebrates which have meroblastic eggs the concentration of yolk in the highly modified ventral endoderm accentuates the need of an efiicient transport system by which this food material may be taken up and conveyed to the yolkless and actively developing parts of the embryo. ln accordance with this we find that such vertebrates show a precocious development of a rich network of blood-vessels over the surface of the endoderm or yolk and this vitelline network allbrds admirable material for the study of the earliest stages in the development of peripheral bleed-vessels.

it will be convenient to consider in some little detail the early development of the vitelline network in the Fowl, material for the study of which is easily obtainable and which further has been worked out in detail by numerous investigators. Riickert has furnished an excellent modern account (1906) a11d upon it the following description is based: for fuller detail reference must be made to the original.

The first signs of bloed—vessel formation make their appearance extremely early, at a stage when the primitive streak is present but hardly any trace, or only a small stump, of the so-called head-process at its front end. The mesoderm has at this stage spread slightly beyond the edge of the pellucid area, especially posteriorly. Round its posterior edge the mesoderm assumes a mottled appearance owing to the development in it of small cell condensations the first trace of the blood-islands as they were called by Pander. These bloodislands are sometimes arranged in two separate series one on each side but more usually they form a U-shaped arrangement parallel and in close proximity to the posterior limit of the mesoderm.

In a slightly later stage the mottled area containing bloodislands -— the vascular area — is of a U-shape, extending through about the posterior half of the extent of the mesoderm. The bloodislands are less conspicuous in front, gradually fading away, as they do also on the side next the primitive streak. They are most strongly marked towards the external margin of the mesoderm and here they, as well as the whole sheet of mesoderm, are being added to by delamination from the endoderm of the germ-wall. The bloodislands, the first rudiments of blood-vessels, are simply thickenings and condensations of the mesoderm. They at first have the appearance in sections of occupying its whole thickness but later it is seen that each blood-island is roofed over by a layer of unmodified mesoderm -—demareated apparently by a simple process of splitting-olf of the superficial layer of cells.

As development goes on, the area of vascular rudiments spreads inwards into regions of the mesoderm which have been for some time completely separated from the endodérm by a well-marked split. VI ORIGIN OF THE VESSELS 369

Blood-islands developing in such regions are therefore clearly derivatives of the mesoderm and there is no possibility of the endoderm playing a direct part in their formation as might be the case peripherally in the region of the germ-wall.

The vascular rudiments become joined up by strands of cells to form a network and this network gradually spreads inwards, its extension being brought about by a progressive differentiation in situ from the mesoderm : there is no actual sprouting inwards of the already formed strands of the network as is suggested sometimes by the study of whole blastoderms and as was once supposed to take place.

Of the network of cell strands which traverses the rudiment of the vascular area the bulkier portions give rise to masses of‘ blood corpuseles surrounded by an endothelial wall, the more attenuated portions to endothelial tubes without any corpuscles in their interior. In the former case the superficial layer of the cells forming the bloodisland becomes raised up from the main mass of cells, fluid accumulating beneath it in spaces which are at first isolated but later become continuous. The flattened cells which are raised up represent the endothelial wall while the main mass of cells left behind represent developing corpuscles. It is to be noted that the endothelial wall separates from the mass of corpuscles first below ('i.e. on the side towards the yolk) and laterally, so that after fluid has accumulated in the rudimentary vessel the mass of corpuscles still remains attached to its, as yet undifferentiated, roof. The narrower strands between the main blood-islands and also all those in the pellucid area, except sometimes a few near its posterior end, give rise simply to endothelial tubes containing fluid plasma. As the circulation begins the masses of embryonic corpuscles gradually break up, first in the region of the sinus terminalis} the individual corpuscles being whirled away by the current and carried to the heart and thence through the circulation.

The origin of the vitelline network has also been investigated in Elasmobranchs (especially Torpedo) by numerous workers. It agrees in its main features with what occurs in the Fowl.

As regards the peripheral vessels in general, of the Vertebrata, we may say that they take their origin as chinks within the n1esenchyme filled with a clear fluid secretion (plasma). These chinks are at their first appearance in some cases clearly intercellular while in others they at first have the appearance of intracellular vacuoles. As has already been pointed out in dealing with connective tissue (p. 292) this difference though at first sight impressive loses most of its apparent importance when regarded critically. In this particular case the protoplasmic masses in which the vacuoles appear are as a rule multinucleate and it is clearly impossible to draw a sharp line of morphological distinction between spaces in such masses with

1 The topography of the vascular area will be found illustrated later in the special chapter on the development of the Fowl.


partially broken down walls, and the ordinary intercellular spaces of syncytial embryonic connective tissue.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING THE MORP F rue

RATE EART.-—- may )6’. regarded as apr1m1 ivec aracteristic o oo -vessc s t rat their walls are contractile, peristaltic waves of contraction serving to propel the blood in their cavities. It is usually the case however in the more complex animals that this contractility becomes concentrated in one or more localized portions of the vessels, known as hearts, in which the vessel becomes much enlarged and its muscular coating thickened and rhythmically contractile.

In the craniate Vertebrates there is one heart present and it represents an enlarged portion of the Von tral vessel in the region immediately behind the gills. During ontogeny the heart still repeats the archaic evolutionary phase in which it was tubular in character. As development goes on the primitive heart, or cardiac tube, shows rapid increase in size within the pericardiac chamber of the coelome in which it lies. This chamber is relatively small in size and in the lower, fish-like, Vertebrates is bounded by rigid unyielding walls. The confined nature of this space in which the heart has been evolved has, by imposing restrictions upon it during its increase in size, exercised a profound influence upon the modelling of the vertebrate heart. It is therefore desirable to have a. clear idea of the general relations of the heart to the perieardiac cavity, during its increase in size, before attempting to study its development in detail in the various groups of Vertebrates.

The portion of vessel originally included between the anterior and posterior limits of the pericardiac cavity will be referred to here as

the primitive heart or cardiac tube. As development proceeds the increase in size of the primitive heart reveals itself in (1) increase

in length and (2) increase in diameter.

(1) As regards the former, the cardiac tube is at its posterior and anterior ends-——where it enters and leaves the pericardiac cavity respectively—firmly embedded in the tissues of the pericardiac wall. These ends being consequently in the lower, fish-like, vertebrates rigidly fixed in position, it has of necessity come about that the cardiac tube, while in the course of evolution it has increased in length, has lost its original straight form and has been thrown into a system of bends or kinks which have had an important influence upon the structure of the fully evolved heart. This bending process is repeated, though with obscuring of some of its detail, during ontogeny and it is an interesting morphological problem to endeavour to unravel the details of the process from the data of comparative anatomy and embryology.

Apparently the primary flexure of the cardiac tube is represented by a simple loop or bulging towards the right side of the body, which is visible in the embryos of most Vertebrates during early stages of heart development. VI MORPHOLOGY OF THE HEART 371

With increasing growth in length of the cardiac tube this simple curvature becomes converted into a double flexure the heart taking on a S-shape. Of the two curves which 1nake up the 5 one which has its concave side towards the head represents the original loop, while the other which is convex towards the head has developed in the portion of cardiac tube lying posterior to the primary loop. Of these two curves the one last mentioned, that which is morphologically posterior, is in an approximately vertical plane. The anterior or primary curve on the other hand shows much variation in position in different Vertebrates. While on the whole it still bulges towards the right side, as did the primary loop, the portion of it formed by the originally headward section of the tube comes in many cases to lie ventral to the other limb of the curve. In other cases this, originally anterior, portion of the tube lies for a time dorsal to the other, as is the case in balamamtlm. The difference will be appre ciated by comparing the

relative Positions of 0 and V Flo. 177.-—-A, diagram to illustrate the llexure of

- - the cardiac tube in the adult I.epz'u’o.s-[rem as seen

In F138’ 184’ A’ and 178' from the ventral side. The portion of thelliagram 01 3:11 the IOWCT Vicrtf?‘ above the horizontal line represents the conus:

}_)1-a,t',es in which the per}- the portion below the horizontal line would

- _ - - represent the rest of the heart on the assumption cardiac space 1S Sun bounded that this portion of the cardiac tube possesses a

by rigid illextensillle Walls similar curvature to that of the conus. Longill} iS the gI'011p Of Lung-fishes tmlinal lines drawn along the tube mark the

that Shows the heart.’ at originally dorsal (1)), ventral (V), right (R), and ‘ left (L).

the highest level of evolu- B I I I L t d I b L It - - , - s rows t ne spira wis mg pro ueec y s rang] ening non‘ Anll In Lorrelatlon out a tube possessing the same llexure as the ‘L-onus

 VVO filld that portion in diagram A.

in these fishes the kinking

of the cardiac tube attains its maximum. In a fully developed Lepidosiren (see below, pp. 376-378) the anterior portion of the cardiac tube (the “conus arteriosus ”) has developed a further 372 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

flexure in addition to those already described. The nature of this flexure is shown in the upper portion of Fig. 177, A, which represents diagrammatically the eonus of Lepiclosiren as seen from the ventral side.

The extreme anterior end of the tube, being fixed firmly at its exit from the pericardiac cavity, retains its primitive morphological position: its originally dorsal side is actually dorsal.

Traced backwards the tube is seen to become sharply bent upon itself in a headward direction, in such a way that the side of the tube which was originally on the left side comes to be ventral, as is indicated by the finely dotted line L in the figure. Tracing the tube onwards a second sharp flexure is found and the tube resumes its antero-posterior direction. This second flexure involves a complete reversal of the tube. Its originally right-hand edge (indicated by the coarsely dotted line 13), which had come to be dorsal as a result of the first flexure, is now ventral.

The changes in the position of the tube caused by the two fiexures may be summed up by saying that the half of the tube which was originally dorsal, and which remains dorsal at its anterior or headward end, has come to be situated on the right side at the posterior or ventricular end of the portion of the tube now under consideration (eonus). Similarly the half of the tube which at the headward end is ventral, has come to be at the ventricular end on the left side.

The lower half of the diagram represents the portion of cardiac tube which gives rise to the main part of the heart and it is to a certain- extent hypothetical, inasmuch as it does not rest on a complete series of observations, but it is clear that the morphologically right side of the cardiac tube, which is topographically ventral in the middle part of the figure, has to get back to its original right-hand position at the hinder end of the cardiac tube (which like the front end is firmly fixed in position), and it is reasonable to infer that the flexure of this portion, which gives rise to the atrium and ventricle, would be found, were its unravelling possible, to be symmetrical with the anterior flexure already dealt with.

It is interesting to take such a model as that represented in Fig. 177 and subject the eonus portion to a process of straightening out——such as would happen in nature if the eonus were to shrink in length, its anterior and posterior ends remaining fixed. The result is shown in Fig. 177, B. The eonus assumes a twisting in a right-handed spiral through three right angles. In the Amniota it will be found that the representatives of the eonus of the Lung-fish~ the roots of the great arteries, pulmonary and systen1ic—as they pass headwards from the ventricular part of the heart, twist round one another in just such a spiral.

(2) As regards the increase in diameter of the cardiac tube, it is characteristic that this does not take place equally throughout. At VI MORPHOLOGY OF THE HEART 373

certain levels the increase in diameter is much less pronounced than it is elsewhere, with the result that the tube appears to be constricted at these points wl1ile it bulges out between them. This development of a series of dilated portions of the heart-tube is the first step in its segmentation into a series of chambers. Of these chambers there are typically in the lower vertebrates four——sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus arteriosus.

Allusion must be made in passing to an unfortunate confusion of nomenclature which is apt to prove a stumbling-block in the way of the student who is trying to ‘get his ideas clear regarding the morphology of. the heart.. The name conus arteriosus was first used, so far as the comparative anatomy of the lower Vertebrates is concerned, by Gegenbaur (1.866) who used it to designate the structure lying between ventricle and ventral aorta in Elasmobranchs and Ganoids, and characterized by its possessing a muscular, rhythmically contractile wall and by its containing longitudinal rows of pocket valves. 'l‘he name’ was introduced in order to accentuate the supposedly fundamental difference, already suggested by Johannes Muller (1845), between the structure in question and the bulbus arteriosus of Teleostean fishes. This latter is not provided with striped muscle in its wall, it is not rhythmically contractile: in other words it does not form physiologically a. part of the heart. Objections, and quite valid ones, have been raised against the use of Gegenbaur’s name from the side 01' Human anatomy, it being pointed out that the “conus” of the lower fishes corresponds rather with the “ bulbus ” of the human heart. Human anatomists working at the embryology of the vertebrate heart in consequence commonly use the_,na1ne bulbus cordis for the part oi the heart under discussion. Gegenbaur’s name however has come to be so universally used by comparative anatomists in reference to the heart of the lower vertebrates as to indicate the desirability 01 using it in a work on comparative morphology such as this. It will be understood then that the name conus arteriosus is used in this volume as equivalent to what is by many writers termed bulbus. cordis,‘ without prejudice however to the question whether or not Gegenbaur was justified in his belief that conus arteriosus and bulbus arteriosus are fundamentally distinct structures.

ELASMOBRANCHII.-—Tl1e Elasmobranch heart passes through the typical early stages, first as a straight tube (see Chap.,XI.), then as a tube which bulges towards the right side, and then as a tube with the characteristic S-shaped double flexure already alluded to (Fig 17 8). The three limbs of the 5 during further development become converted into (1) atrium with sinus venosus, (2) ventricle, and (3: conus arteriosus. The well-marked constriction which demarcates atrium from ventricle forms the auricular canal. The progress

1 I avoid in this book using the term trwncus arteriosus as it is unnecessary and

is liable to cause confusion owing to the want of precision with which it is commonly used. 374 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

towards the condition of the fully developed heart is marked mainly by the increase in relative size of the atrium and ventricle. Whereas however the increase in the size of the atrium takes the form mainly of a mere process ..of dilatation, that of the ventricle is accompanied by a much more marked thickening of its wall. This is brought about by the inner surface of the niyoeardium forming numerous projections into the lumen which, becoming more and more pronounced and interlacing and fusing with one another, form eventually a spongework and encroach considerably on the ventricular cavity round its periphery. The eiidocardiuin fits closely over the surface of each of these inyoeardiac trabeculae.

The physiological iiieaning of the formation of the trabcculac during the evolution of the ventricle probably lies in the fact that a bundle of muscle which has for its function the pulling together of the ventricular wall can carry out this function more efficientl if it runs straight between its two ends, in ot)lIier words if it is in the position of a chord to the curve of the ventricular wall rather than simply a portion of that curve.

Attention must now be directed to a very characteristic and important proliferation of the endocardiac cells which makes itself "apparent in particular regions. In the eonus such proliferation takes place along the course of four longitudinal lines,- giving rise to cells 1,.“178___,l.“,0Smg0mW which lie in the space b(?:l)W€eI1.0Ild0S3iLl‘dl11II1

.1m10p..,e,,t of ti... ;...;.,.., and myocardium. As this proliferation goes 0fAcrmt/_w7a8 see1_1i'r<>mtlur on the endocardium is eventually made to

S1‘;;3'6‘()A”°"1i“"°}“ bulge into the lumen as four . prominent M m_mm_ F “mm endocardiac ridges. In 1icant7zw,s (GegenW; .M, Sim, .v,e“(')_s_l'l_\,; V, baur, 1894), one of the four ridges——-that which ventricle, is ventral in p,osition——is reduced in size.

_ . _ In the auricular canal sinii.lar endocardiac prohferatious take place, one upon the headward and one upon the tailward wall respectively of the canal. Herc also each causes a prominent bulging of the endocardium into the cavity——-the atrioventricular cushion (anterior and posterior).

Both the ridges of the eonus and the atrioventricular cushions constitute a valvular apparatus in that, by the contraction of the niyocardium lying outside them, they can be jammed together so as to occlude the lumen into which they project. In both cases, as development goes on, they undergo metamorphosis into a purely mechanical and automatic valvular apparatus. In the eonus each ridge becomes excavated into a number of pocket valves (“semilunar ” valves), the cavities of which open in a headward direction. Greil and others explain these cavities as being produced simply by the backward pressure of the blood but it is advisable to regard VI HEART OF ELASMOBRANCHS 375

such simple mechanical explanations of developmental phenomena with S1].Spl(:1UI1. Similarly the atrloventricular cushions become excavated on their ventricular side and form the two atrioventricular

valves of the adult. A pair of laterally placed valves also develop

FIG. 179.-—Vie\\'s of l.l|4,- hc:u‘t. of 1.4‘/n'«I...gu'ren as seu1'1 from the nlorphologically n.-ntral side. (ll and (,9 afta-.1‘ J. Hol_n-rtson, 1913.)

A, stage :52; I3, .s‘l...-1;,-er :51 ; ('.‘, stage 3-3. «I, atrium ; (‘, «onus :u-t-uriosils; 1.4-, In-ft a-uricle; 1211., right auriclc; I", \'«-lltl‘irln.

at the opening of sinus into atrium but according to extant descriptions (Rose, 1890) arise merely as infoldings of the heart wall.

DIPNo1.—-The development of the dipnoan heart has formed the subject of a careful and exhaustive study by Robertson (1913) and her account of the (lm-“cl.0p1ne1'1t of the heart in Lepidoshen forms the basis of the following description. 376 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

The first peculiarity to be noticed in comparison with the heart of the Elasmobranch is correlated with the fact that the head and anterior trunk region of the embryo are bent downwards and closely applied to the surface of the yolk. As a consequence, the pericardiac space is reduced to a flat chink, the point of entrance and the point of exit of the cardiac tube being in close proximity to one another at its upper end. The result is that the cardiac tube as it grows in length assumes the form‘ of a flattened loop, first V-shaped (Fig. 179, A) and later Z5-shaped, the apex of the loop being directed in a ventral direction, and the originally posterior (tailward) limb of the loop (at) coming to lie to the left of the anterior limb (C). The cardiac tube becomes demarcated into the same set of chambers as in the Elasmobranch-——sinus venosus, atrium formed from the posterior limb of the cardiac loop, ventricle formed from the apical portion of the loop, and conus formed from the greater part of the anterior limb. The dilatation of the walls of the several chambers is not uniform. In the ease of the atrial wall the dilatation is most marked dorsally and more especially laterally: the posterior wall on the other hand lags behind in its growth and the result is that the sinu-atrial and atrioventrieular openings remain comparatively close to one another (compare adult condition as shown in Fig. 180). Similarly in the case of the ventricular portion of the heart the increase in size is mainly on the ventral and lateral sides, the dorsal wall lagging behind so that the communication between atrium and ventricle and that between ventricle and conus also remain in close proximity (cf. again Fig. 180).

After the demarcation of the chambers there come about two important changes in the general form of the heart-—the first is the assumption of bilateral symmetry on the part of the ventricle, correlated with a rotation of the ventral side of the ventricle towards the animal's left side. The other consists of a very marked increase in the length of the conus which, owing to the fixation of its two ends, is made to assume the characteristic double flexure already described and illustrated (see also Fig. 179, 0).

DEVELOPMENT or SEPTA IN THE HEART. —- By far the most important feature of the Dipnoan heart, as compared with that of the Elasmobranch, is that now, for the first time, there comes about that separation of the heart into an arterial and a venous half, which is so characteristic of the higher Vertebrates. In Lepidosiren this separation is inaugurated at a relatively early stage of development (stage 27)—-at a time when the cardiac tube, as yet, shows no indication of a division into chambers—-by proliferation of the cells of the endocardium on its outer surface. This takes place along a. line which passes along the posterior wall of the U-shaped heart from the left side of the sinu-atrial opening, through the auricular canal down towards the apex of the cardiac loop. As this proliferation goes on it causes the endocardium to bulge into the lumen so as to form a prominent ridge traversing the hinder wall of atrium and v1 HEART OF LEPIDOSIREN 377

ventricle. It is of morphological interest to notice that this atriaventricular ridge extends from its dorsal end not directly ventralwards but towards the animal’s right side, so that, if the ridge in question be taken as marking an originally longitudinal line along the wall of the cardiac tube, it indicates that this part of the cardiac tube has undergone a process of twisting like that of a left-handed screw, in other words a twisting of the kind which might be expected on the hypothesis that the flexure of the atrioventricular portion of the heart was originally that suggested in the discussion on p. 372.

A second endothelial proliferationtakes place along the atrial wall facing that on which the atrioventricular ridge has developed. The projection formed in this way grows towards and fuses with the atrioventricular ridge to form the atrial septum which divides the atrium into a larger right and a smaller left auricle. Owing to the left-handed position of the atrioventricular ridge at its dorsal end the sinus opens into the right auricle. The pulmonary vein as it develops comes to open on the left face of the septum, z'.e. into the left auricle.

The ventricle becomes similarly divided into a right and a left chamber1 the foundation of the septum consisting of the atrioventricular ridge already mentioned. I11 this case however Robertson does not describe any endocardiac proliferation mls-ct-mls to the ridge but says the septum is completed by muscular trabeculae growing towards and eventually fusing with the edge of the ridge.

The conus arteriosus is characterized by the development of a series of longitudinal endocardiac ridges similar in nature to those of Elasmobranchs. A conspicuous difference in detail is that each ridge is markedly discontinuous, the portions situated in the anterior and in the posterior section of the conus developing independently. We may take it that the ridges were primitively in the Vertebrata longitudinal and continuous and the secondary discontinuity visible in Lung-fishes and also in the higher Vertebrates may be associated with two probable causes: (1) interference with the development of the middle region of the conus by the flexure into which it is thrown, and (2) the tendency, as seen in Elasmobranchs and Ganoids, for the terminal members of the longitudinal rows of valves to become enlarged relatively to the rest. There can be no doubt that the longitudinal ridges as we see them in the Lung-fishes and the higher Vertebrates are revertive rather than persistent primitive features. In other words the ancestors of these Vertebrates passed through the phase of evolution in which each ridge had become converted into a row of pocket valves. This seems clearly indicated by the fact that the latter condition holds in modern Elasmobranchs and primitive Ganoids. But if so then the tendency for the terminal valves of the row to be specially developed in that earlier phase of evolution may show itself

1 The separation does not normally become quite complete in the adult either in the case of atrium or ventricle. 378 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES OH.

on reversion to the ridge condition in more or less great suppression or diminution of the middle portion of the ridge.

In the anterior section of the conus four longitudinal ridges develop, situated respectively on the right-hand side (1), dorsally (2), on the left-hand side (3), and ventrally (4). This anterior end of the conus retains as already explained its primitive position and we shall therefore always refer to the four ridges according to the position they have in this undisturbed portion of the conus as Right, Dorsal, Left and Ventral respectively, the adverb morphologically being understood before the adjective in each case. The right and left ridges make their appearance first and they alone become prominent, forming thin shelf-like structures which project right in to the centre of the cavity so that their edges overlap. For a short distance at the extreme anterior end they become fused together so as to form a continuous septum. The left ridge is comparatively short, tapering off posteriorly, but the right extends back through the anterior and middle section of the conus. At the point of ilexurc between middle and posterior sections there is a break during early stages but later on the ridge becomes continuous witl1.a portion of ridge which projects from the ventral wall of the posterior section of the conus. There is no reason to doubt that this is really part of the same morphological structure as that with which it is in line in the anterior section of the conus and we shall therefore term it the posterior portion of the right ridge. The whole of this right ridge forms what is often called the spiral valve of the conus.

The dorsal and ventral ridges of the anterior section of the conus are later than the lateral ridges in making their appearance and soon disappear again. The ventral ridge is especially feebly developed.

In the posterior section of the conus the right ridge——now ventral in position—is alone well developed. The other three appear as rudiments, they are at no time prominent and they become resolved into vestigial pocket valves which may still be detected in the adults. This latter fact justifies the conclusion already reached that during the ancestral history of the Lung-fishes a stage was passed through during which the conus was provided with longitudinal rows of functional pocket valves, in other words that the primitive ridges seen in the conus of the modern Lung-fish are revertive rather than persistent. VALVES OF THE HEART.——The sinu-auricular opening is guarded on the right side by a valve. This develops out of the inpushed fold of the cardiac Wall in the constriction between sinus and atrium. The atrioventricular opening is guarded by a highly characteristic bevelled plug (Fig. 180, AV.p) which when the ventricle contracts is pulled downwards so as completely to occlude the opening. Developmentally this plug arises as a thickening of the atrioventricular ridge. This ridge, which, as already indicated, VI HEART OF LEPIDOSIREN 379

forms the common foundation of auricular and ventricular septum, traverses the auricular canal, projecting into it from behind so as to give the atrioventricular opening a horse-shoe shape. It is the part which lies above (dorsal to) the opening which becomes thickened and eventually assumes a cartilaginous character to form the plug. The plug is to be regarded as the homologue of the posterior atrioventricular cushion of Elasmobranchs but Robertson failed to find any trace of an anterior cushion.

The conus in the completely developed state is characterized by the absence of the functional valvular apparatus found in its homologue in other Vertebrates. On the one hand the endocardiac ridges, functional in the young Elasmobranch or Ganoid, are no

I

Fm. 180.-—-Heart of an adult Lepi«.losiren with the right side removeal. (After J. Robertson, 1913.)

AV.p, atrinventricuhw plug; ¢i'.'v, corona:-_v vein (cul'.); d.(j'. ducts of (Juviur; pm, pulnum:u'_\' vein; -p.V.4:, pu.~;t.orio1- \'t‘l'l{1('.‘l\'{l. at its opening into the sinus \'¢-.n0.\'uS: .~'..-L atrial sq-pt.um ; .~'.l', \'eut1'icul:11' h'l!])l-lllll; .~-. 1', sinus \'a-.nosus (its opening into the rigI1t:uu'ix-lo- illulit-:|lI'!l lay an :n-1-nu‘); .-p, .~:piI':Il \':l1\'4!: Ill, V1, aortic arches out near their ventral ends.

longer in a condition to fulfil their original function and on the other the pocket valves are here vestigial.

MUSCULARIZATION or rm: HEAnr.——Bud-like projections from the myocardium grow into the cavity of the heart, meet together and in the ventricle form a muscular spongework of the same type as that seen in Elasmobranchs. In the case of the ventricle numerous trabeculae arising in this way converge upon the free edge of the atrioventricular ridge and become continuous with it. As development goes on this spongy mass of trabeculae undergoes condensation arid acquires the solid character of the fully developed septum. The septum is continuous dorsally with the atri'ove11tricular plug and it forms a muscular apparatus by which the plug is pulled down so as to fit into and close the opening. The myocardium of the auricular 380 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.

canal and of the conus never forms a spongework but remains as a compact layer of muscle. In the case of the conus this muscular coat is very feebly developed in the middle and cephalic portionsin which fact we may probably recognize a degenerative feature seeing that in the Elasmobranch the conus musculature is well developed right to its front end. The meshes of the ventricular spongework, as development goes on, come to spread somewhat round the auricular canal and round the ventricular end of the conus, so that each of these structures has the appearance of being drawn into the ventricular cavity.

SAUROI*sI1)A.~——'l‘hc most exhaustive account of the development of a Sauropsidan heart is that dealing with Lucerta by Grreil (1903) and upon it the following description is based. ln its early stages the heart passes through the familiar tubular form and becomes bent, first bulging in a simple curve towards the right and then assuming a double S-like curvature just as in the Elasmobranch. About stage 17-18 the constriction of the heart into sinus venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus becomes apparent—the three last mentioned chambers bulging outwards between the grooves which limit them. The atrial portion does not in these early stages take up the purely dorsal position seen in the Elasmobranch or Lung-fish but remains for a time well to the left.

The conus, in its early stages, much reduced in relative size as compared with that of the Elasmobranch, undergoes a marked increase in length, which causes it to assume a bayonet-shaped curvature in which we may see a reminiscence of the sharp double flexure seen in the conus of the Lung-fish. In the Lizard however this curvature of the conus is merely temporary. As development goes on the increase in length of the conus instead of being more pronounced than that of the heart as a whole becomes less so with the result that between stages 21 and 26 the anterior flexure of the conus becomes pulled out and replaced by a right-handed spiral twist.

DEVELOPMENT or SEPTA.-—Tl1e septation of the heart is inaugurated by the appearance of localized proliferation of the endocardiac lining. In the auricular canal, which runs in an antero-posterior direction rather than dorsi-ventrally, owing to the atrium lying anterior to the ventricle instead of dorsal to it as was the case in the Lung-fish, there develop two endocardiac cushions, one dorsal (posterior), the other ventral (anterior). Of these the ventral or anterior one which was not apparent in Lepidosiren is well developed and is continued as an endocardiac ridge round the anterior (headward) wall of the atrium on to its roof (compare Fig. 183, C, was). As development goes on this projects more and more prominently into the cavity of the atrium and forms the main part of the septum between the two auricles. By about stage 26 it has grown halt’-way across the atrial cavity, and by about stage 29 it reaches the auricular canal. While in a sense the atrial septum is now complete it is not so physiologically VI HEART OF LACERTA 381

as secondary perforations have made their appearance in the septum so as to keep the two auricular cavities in free communication. The two endocardiac cushions of the auricular canal become joined together by a bridge of endocardiac tissue which forms the free edge of the auricular septum. This is followed by a complete fusion taking place between the middle parts of the two cushions, so that the atrioventricular opening becomes completely divided into a larger right and a smaller left portion. The, at first, thick mass of tissue which separates these two openings becomes gradually converted into a thin plate, situated in the plane separating atrium from ventricle, and therefore perpendicular to the plane of the atrial septum. This plate is divided sagittally into a right and a left half by its line of attachment to the septum. The free edge of each half is concave and projects freely into the corresponding auriculoventricular opening—forming the mesial or septal valve of that opening.

In the meantime a new endocardiac cushion develops on what were the right and left sides of the auricular canal. These also become thin flaps and form the lateral auriculoventricular valves. It will be noticed that there have developed round the original atrioveutricular opening few proliferations of endocardium—--the same number as was found in the conus of the Lung -fish and as will be found in the conus of the Amniota, thus supporting the idea that there are four longitudinal endocardiac ridges potentially present throughout the cardiac tube of the higher Vertebrates though they may become actually apparent only in the conus region.

In the Lizard the atrioventricular ridge, which was so conspicuous in the Lung-fish, has practically become reduced to the portion lying within the auricular canal—the dorsal (posterior) endocardiac cushion. The ventricle is undivided.

The conus on the other hand undergoes a complete and somewhat complicated process of septation. This is inaugurated by localized proliferation of the endocardium to form longitudinal ridges. As in the Lung-fish these arise discontinuously there being distinct anterior (headward) and posterior rudiments. Anteriorly the normal four ridges develop, the dorsal and ventral appearing in this case at an earlier stage (17 or 18) than the lateral ones. Towards the ventricular end two ridges first make their appearance in a dorsal (ridge B, Greil) and ventral situation (A, Greil) respectively. Of these the ventral one becomes eventually continuous with the right-hand anterior rudiment. It clearly corresponds with the similarly situated ridge in the hinder portion of the conus of Lepirlrisiren and like it is to be interpreted as the hinder portion of the morphologically righthand ridge. The ridge mls-ft-vie to that just mentioned, here dorsal in position, would similarly represent the hinder portion of the morphologically left-hand ridge. Later on a small and transient ridge (0, Grreil) makes its appearance on the right-hand wall of this hinder portion of the conus and this would represent the hinder portion of the morphologically dorsal ridge. 382 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

As development goes on the wall of the conus becomes changed in histological character, its striped muscles become replaced by smooth and in general it takes on the ordinary features of arterial wall so that it resembles a portion of the ventral aorta rather than of the heart. As may be seen in a living embryo this histological change is accompanied by a physiological one, for the rhythmic contractions of the heart are seen now to extend forwards as far as the anterior limit of the striped Inuscle but no farther. Altogether the superficial ‘appearance is just as if the ventral aorta (“ truncus arteriosus ”) were extending backwards at the expense of the conus, and the word truncus is frequently used to include the whole as far back as the limit for the time being of the smooth non-striated muscular wall. It must however not be forgotten that in the strict morphological sense all that part of the heart is conus which corresponds to the conus of Lepvldosiren. 'l‘he special criterion which identifies it is


Fm. 18l.—~—l)iagraminatic transverse sections through conus of I.a.ce~rta ( A) and Gallus B to show the endocardiac rid res and the iocket valves. la

1, morphologically right ridge; 2, dorsal; 3, left; and 4, ventral. a and I2, problematieal ridges discussed in text; 12, pulmomuy cavity ; 8, main systemic; (.5, left systemic cavity.

the appearance of double flexure or the resultant spiral coiling during its development. The muscular coating, so characteristic a feature in the vertebrates below the Amniota, is associated with a definite type of functional activity: in the Amniota that type of functional activity has disappeared and with it the characteristic type of wall. The ventral aorta is in its hinder portion, where it becomes continuous with the front end of the conus, divided1 into a dorsal (pulmonary) and a ventral (aortic) cavity by a horizontal septum and this is prolonged backwards along the wall of the conus by the right and left ridges. Of these the right is very large, it projects across the lumen and gradually fuses with the left ridge (Fig. 181, A). This ridge (3) is low and double and it is with its dorsal portion,

i.e. the portion next the dorsal ridge, that the fusion takes place. By the spreading backwards of this process of fusion of the right and left ridges the horizontal septum of the ventral aorta becomes prolonged back as a septum in the conus——no longer horizontal

1 See below, p. 393. VI’ HEART OF LACERTA 383

however but spirally twisted owing to the twisting of the conus already mentioned. Parallel with and preparatory to this process of fusion the distal ridge rudiments spread backwards, pursuing a spiral course and thus making evident the spiral twisting of the conus as a whole. It is interesting to notice that the line of insertion of the ridges, and therefore of the septum formed by their fusion, becomes marked on the outer surface of the conus by a distinct incision--a preliminary step towards the complete splitting of the conus in the plane of the septum which takes place in Birds and in Mammals.

In addition to the dividing of the cavity of the conus into a pulmonary and an aortic portion in the manner just described there takes place also, in the Lizard, a splitting of the aortic portion into two parts, corresponding to the right and left halves into which the systemic portion of the ventral aorta is divided} The septum separating these becomes prolonged backwards at its hinder end, on the one hand, into the ventral ridge of the conus (Fig. 181, A,‘4) and on the other into a quite similar ridge developed upon the surface of the septum which separates the aortic from the pulmonary (Fig. 181, A, 1). These two ridges facing one another across the aortic cavity gradually extend backwards and undergo fusion just as in the other case so as to form a complete septum dividing the aortic cavity into two (S and l.s).

In this waythen the original conus becomes replaced by a set of three tubes twisted spirally round one another, forming the roots of the two systemic aortae and of the pulmonary artery, still however enclosed in a common wall.

VALVES on THE HEART.———-The right and left valves which guard the opening from sinus into atrium are formed simply by the exaggeration of the fold of the cardiac wall which delimits these two chambers from one another. The origin of the auriculoventricular valves has already been described. The pocket valves of the systemic aortae and pulmonary artery are derived from the endoeardiac ridges of the conus as in the Elasmobranch. According to Langer (1894) the outer valve in each of the three vessels (pulmonary artery, left systemic aorta, right systemic aorta) are derived from the Dorsal, Left and Ventral endoeardiac ridges (2, 3 and 4) respectively, while the inner valve in all three is derived from the hypertrophied Right ridge (1), which with its outgrowth takes part in the formation of all three vessels (Fig. 181, A).

The question as to whether or not the pocket valve is formed from the extreme ventricular end of the conus ridge, or whether on the other hand a considerable portion of this end of the conus with its contained ridges becomes incorporated in the ventricle as maintained by Langer and Greil does not appear to the present writer to be satisfactorily settled. It is advisable that the point should be re-investigated upon abundant material.

GALLUS.-—-(Figs. 182 and 183.) The most detailed investigations

1 See below, p. 393. 384 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

of the development of the Bird's heart are those of Greil, of which unfortunately there is available so far only the abstract given by Hochstettcr (1906). As we should expect from the close genetic relationship between Birds and Reptiles there is a close correspondence between the general features of the development of the heart in the two cases. It will suflice then to draw attention to the more i1npu1‘l):'mt points in which the development of the Fowl’s heart has

FIG. 182.—Il1ustrating the development of the heart in the fowl. (After original drawings by (_i1'cil.)

at, atrium; h.u..f, bulho-auricular fold :'«-_, l-onus; Lu, ll-ft zuu-iule; Li, left im|mnin:u«- urlo-ry; I.-,2, left pulmmnat-_v; I.l-', left. \‘l'ntl'i('l4-; r.vI, ri;_'l1l Ill1l‘l(,‘ll'f, r.'i, 1-iglnt. lllll()llllll{l.tl'. :u-Lory; r.p, right. pulmonary; r.l-’, l'i;.',‘l1t vent:-ii.-la-; .-..l, s_ysl.<-urn-:u.1-t:.a.

been found to differ from that of Lace-rta. So far as external form is concerned the most striking difference is that the sinus venosus loses its identity as a distinct chamber of the heart. It becomes as it were incorporated in the right auricle, all except its left portion which persists as the cardiac end of the left duct of Cnvier or anterior Vena Cava.

An important advance upon the condition in Lacerta is found in the division of the ventricular part of the heart into a right and a VI HEART OF BIRDS . 385

left ventricle. This (li_visi<.m. comes about in a somewhat complicated fashion the chief points in which, judging from Greil and Hoolistetter’s descriptions and figures, appear to be as follows. The ventricular portion of the cardiac tube is at an early stage encroached upon by the deep (“ bulbo-auricular ”) fold which separates the conus

Fm. lRfi.--~--St.:1._r_ges in the development of the heart of the Fowl, viewed from the right Shite. 'l‘l1crigllt wall of the heart has been removed in each case. (After original ilI'it\\'lll;:_'S lay (‘nu-.il.)

.1, 1.’, proxini.-:1. «_-nals oi‘ l'l(l".."'I‘S of eonus; uI.._-. atrial .-.«-.pl.un'1; h.n,.r, bulbo-auricular ri«l_:_-,-e ; a._-, r-onus arteriosus; i.-v./; llll.(‘i'\‘l‘lIl..l‘iC|ll:ll' 1'<.n':I.m«-u; r'.r..~', tralu__-<-.ul:u- portion of ventricular septum; La, left auriele; p, pu|mcnar_\- ;u-1..-,-_y; -r.u, ri_v_,--ht. auriclo-; r.r.c, rut. surface of endocardiae tissue of atrioventricular opening; 2-.1’, cavil _y oh-i;_,rl'it ventricle : .-, .~:ystennic aorta ; V, ventricle ; 1, ‘2, 3, conus ridges.

from the atrial part of the heart (Fig. 182, A, b.at.f). The encroachment of this fold gives the ventricular part of the tube a squat

U-shape. As the ventricle dilates the extent of the encroachment becomes reduced and the fold may now be called the bulbo-auricular

ridge of the heart-lining (Fig. 183, A, b.a,.'r). During the fourth

day this becomes extended tailwards along the ventral wall of the VOL. II . 2 0 386 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

ventricle (Fig. 181?», B, C, b.a..'r) the ridge and its extension forming the rudiment of the anterior portion of the ventricular septum. The remaining and larger portion of the septum arises otherwise, from a local exaggeration of the muscular trabeculae which in the Bird, as in lower forms, sprout into the ventricular cavity so as to convert the peripheral portion of that cavity into a sponge—work. This spo11gc—work becomes exaggerated in the prominence and thickness of its trabeculae along a plane marked on the external surface of the heart by a distinct groove-——thc interventricular groove (Fig. 182, (J). This trabecular part of the septum (Fig. 183, O, i.'v.s) is at first loose and spongy but it gradually becomes condensed, at first along its thickened free edge, and loses its spongy character. It gradually extends forwards and becomes continuous on the one hand with the bulbo-auricular portion and on the other with the septum of the auricular canal. The ventricular cavity is now divided into a right and a left chamber except at its anterior end where there remains an interventricular foramen (Fig. 18;}, 1), lt will be realized that but for the presence of this foramen the blood could not circulate, as the only means of exit from the ventricle the opening leading into the conus——lies completely on one side (right) of the original bulbo-auricular fold and, therefore, of the ventricular septum of uhich the fold in question forms a part. As a matter of fact this interventricular foramen never disappears, though it loses its right to that name, for it becomes continued as a groove over the surface of the mass of endocardiac tissue lying between it and the conus. Eventually this groove becomes overgrown by its edges and converted into a tubular channel, continuous on the one hand—— through the original interventricular foramen——-with the cavity of the left ventricle and on the other with the systemic or aortic cavity of the conus. rfhis tubular channel persists in the adult condition——as the communication between left ventricle and systemic aorta. _

Finally, before leaving the intcrventricular septuln, it has to be mentioned that dorsally (Fig. 183, 1)) it becomes continuous with the bridge of endocardiac tissue which divides the atrioventricular opening into a right and left half, the ventricular side of this bridge growing out to meet the trabeeular part of the septum. The atrial side of the bridge is continuous with the atrial septum, which develops here as in Lacerta, and the result is that the main part of the heart is now divided into two halves, the left auricle opening into the left ventricle and the right auricle opening into the right ventricle (Fig. 183, E). It is to be noted however that secondary perforations appear in the atrial septum (Fig. 183, E, at.s)—so as to allow the systemic blood which enters the right auricle from the sinus venosus to reach the left auricle, and through it the_left ventricle, without having to traverse the pulmonary circulation during the period before the lungs are functional. VI HEART OF BIRDS 387

of its development the ventricular portion of the heart undergoes a certain amount of rotation, the right ventricle becoming displaced somewhat towards the left side, ventrally to the left ventricle. The result of this is to undo to a small extent the spiral twist of the oonus.

'l‘he conus of the Fowl develops typical endocardiac ridges, here however only three in number, and the individual ridges retain a more nearly primitive condition in that in early stages they are not so completely divided into two distinct rudiments, while in later stages two of the three are obviously continuous. One of these ridges is clearly the morphologically Right. Here again it is Inuch enlarged (Fig. 181, B, 1) and grows right across the cavity to form a complete septum’ between the pulmonary (7)) and systemic portions of the cavity.

Regarding the identity of the two other ridges there is some doubt. They are identified by Grreil as the Dorsal (2) and Left (3) while the Ventral (4) is supposed to have disappeared. It appears to the present writer however that the possibility should be considered whether they do not together represent the Left ridge, with which in Lacerta the free edge of the enlarged Right ridge comes in contact and which in the latter animal shows an incipient division into two parts by a longitudinal groove.

’l‘he septum formed by the enlarged Right ridge follows a spiral course, its line of insertion being indicated by a spiral groove on the outer surface of the conus. In the Bird this groove gradually deepens into a slit which splits the septum into two halves and as a consequence divides the oonus into two separate vessels which course spirally round one another———the roots of the pulmonary arteries and the systemic aorta respectively. N o vestige of a septum subdividing the aortic cavity has so far been described.

V ALvES.——l’ul1nonary artery and systemic aorta are each provided -with three pocket—valves at their ventricular end. These arise in the manner indicated in Fig. 181, B. Each vessel receives a valve split off from the enlarged Right ridge. The pulmonary and the systemic cavities receive further a valve split off from the endocardiac thickenings marked a and b respectively. Following Grreil these would be attributed to the Dorsal and Left ridges, while accepting the alternative interpretation suggested above they would both be referred to the morphologically Left ridge. There remains a third pocket-valve in each cavity. That in the systemic cavity no doubt represents the otherwise missing Ventral ridge, while if a and 12 together represent the Left ridge then the third poeket~ valve of the pulmonary cavity would represent the Dorsal ridge. As there is no reason to doubt the reliability of a pocket-valve as evidence of a once existing endocardiac ridge we should be driven—— if we reject the explanation here suggcsted—-to assume the former existence of an additional ridge between the Right and the Dorsal and there seems no justification otherwise for doing this. 388 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

The pocket-valves are stated not to develop at the extreme hinder limit of the ridges, the septum stretching back beyond them to become continuous with the interventricular septum.

In the right auriculoventricular opening the inner or septal valve is not developed, the ventricular septum fusing with what in Lacerta becomes converted into the valve in question.

The main features of heart development having been illustrated from these three dilfercnt groups, Elasmobranchii, Dipnoi and Sauropsida, it will be convenient now to indicate the more important peculiarities which have been detected in other groups of the lower Vertebrates. It should be understood however that in the case of several of these, such as Cyclostonies, Ganoids and even Amphibians, apart from Urodeles, our knowledge is still fragmentary.

In I’ol_2/plerus (_ Graham Kerr, 1907) the cardiac tube when in the form of a loop shows a similar displacement to that which occurs in fM])li([0-5'?:'}‘(’-7'!»-—-lille lower end of the loop being pushed forwards in front of the yolk. In this case however the displacement has gone farther than in the Lung-fish so that the cardiac loop is completely inverted-its apex being directed forwards, while the ventral aorta passes OH’ in a tailward direction. A similar displacement occurs in Teleosts.

'l‘he conus of Ganoid fishes shows the usual endocardiac ridges which become converted into longitudinal rows of pocket-valves as in Elasmobranchs. In Poly/pm-us these ridges are six in number, alternate ones being much reduced in size, with the result that in the adult three rows of large pocket-valves alternate with three rows of small ones. In all these fishes the endocardiac ridges and their resultant rows of pocket-valves run straight along the conus and there is no reason to doubt that this is the primitive condition. To determine the primitive number of the ridges in Fishes more research'is needed although there is little doubt that four was the number present in the primitive Tetrapocls.

In the Teloostcan fishes we find in place of the conus arteriosus the structure known as the aortic bulb. As already indicated (p. 37 this is distinguished from the typical conus by well-marked histological and physiological difi'erenees. And it is frequently regarded as being morphologically a part not of the heart but of the ventral aorta.

If however we take, as we are probably justified in doing, the point of exit from the pericardiac cavity as being relatively fixed and as marking the headward limit of the cardiac tube or primitive heart, then it becomes clear that the aortic bulb, lying as it does within the pericardiac cavity, is really a portion of the primitive cardiac tube and of that part of it which lay between the ventricle and the ventral aorta-——in other words the conus arteriosus. What has happened in the evolution of the. Teleostean heart is in all probability entirely analogous with what has taken place in the ‘ curve lies 111 a nearly vertical plane

VI HEART 389

Amniota, namely that the conus arteriosus has gradually lost its power of rhythmic contraction while pawl passu its myoeardiac coating of striped muscle has degenerated and its primitive histological characteristics have been replaced by others resembling more closely those of the ventral aorta.

.During ontogeny it would appear from Hoyei-’s work on Salmo (1900) that the conus in the embryo possesses the characteristic features——a layer of striated muscle in its wall, and longitudinal ridges (two in number) projecting into its 1uu1en——and differs from that of an Elasmobranch merely in ' the fact that these features do not extend throughout the whole of the distance between the ventricle and the anterior limit of the pericardiac space, but only through about the posterior half of that distance. In the adult the two ridges are represented by the two pocket-valves.

In Urodele amphibians (Salamandm—-Hoehstetter, 1906) the heart during the period when it is in the form of a tube with an S-like curvature is conspicuously different in appearance from that of the Vertebrates already described, owing to the fact that the two curves of s the 8 lie in different planes from those which they occupy elsewhere. The morphologically posterior or tailward curve lies here nearly iii the

horizontal plane While the anterior FIG.184.—-Views of developing heart of ' Salamamlm as seen from the ventral side. (After Hochstetter, 1906.)

——the limb of the curve which will become conus dorsal to the at,‘atriu111;c,eonu's‘u.rte;.ios11s;d.(.',.duc.t ventricular portion, so that it is ;’if,,,(,’,,“,V.,',‘,i,’,,;,,:f,";‘ mm cm’ 8")’ hidden in a View of the heart from

the ventral side (Fig. 184, A). Special interest is lent to this curvature of the atrioventricular portion of the cardiac tube by the fact that it reproduces accurately the type of curvature which we inferred as being present in this portion of the vertebrate heart in our general discussion of its morphology (compare Fig. 184, A, with lower portion of Fig. 177).

As development proceeds the left-hand end of the ventricular portion, z'.e. its actually headward end, swings ventrally and tailwards so that the long axis of this portion of the heart comes to be perpendicular to the sagittal plane of the body (Fig. 184, B). As the ventricular part of the heart shifts backwards the conus becomes

visible in a view from the ventral side. The backward shifting 390% EMBRYOLOGX or THETLOWER VERTEBRATES on.

continues‘ imtil the ventricle comes to lie ventral -to the sinus (Fig. 184, 0) instead of well in front of it as it did originally. The ventricle is now on the tailward side of the atrium which bulges out on each side, its ventral wall fitting closely to the dorsal side of the conus. The sinus becomes marked oft‘ from the atrium by a constriction, which deepens most markedly on the right side so that tl1e sinuatrial opening becomes displaced towards the left. It is to be noted that during these stages in development the portion of the ventricular wall lying on its concave (anterior) side, undergoes relatively very slight increase in size. The result is that the ventricle bulges in a tailward direction and the openings by which it comniunicates with atrium and conus respectively remain relatively closely approximated together. ‘ i

The atrial septum arises as a ridge or fold of endocardium which,

as in the Sauropsida, projects into the lumen from the anterior (head— i

ward) wall. The concave free edge of this grows towards the atrioventricular opening while its base of attachment spreads, on the one hand ventrally until it becomes continuous with the anterior atrioventricular ciisliioii, and on the other dorsally and backwards, to the left of the sinus opening and to the right of the pulmonary vein opening, till it becomes continuous with the posterior (tailward) atrioventricular cushion. The conspicuous openings in the atrial septum known to exist in adult Urodeles though not irr‘Anura are secondary perforations. e t

The conus develops discontinuous ridges. Of these there are four anterior riidiments of which the Dorsal and Ventral develop first and the Right and Left later. Of posterior rudiments only three have been described but that the missing one is at least sometimes present is shown by the adult arrangements of the resulting pocket-valves in rliiiereiit Amphibians. Thus four pocket-valves have been observed in the posterior circle..i;»n specimens of Strait, Nectwrus, the Axolotl, and Salmnandm (Boas). In the anterior circle cases are known of one of the four valves being reiiuced in size (Sz"ren, Axolotl, Triton, Sa.lama./ndm), vestigial (Pqlpa), or_:§i.g6ne entirely (Proteus, Rana). Other cases occur in which an additional valve makes its appearance through one of the original ones becoining split (Nectwrus). All these variations in the pocket-valves of the adult are of importance in relation to the embryonic ridges which the valves represent. Details will be found in Boas (1882).

Of, the anterior rudiments the right-hand ridge (1) is prolonged backwards as thevspiral fold which projects across the lumen and disides it iinpepfectly into an aortic and a pulmonary cavity.

In some cases the s iral fold apparently makes an abortive attempt’

to pursue the course of development which it went through in the ancestral fish-like form, as it segnients up into a row of little knobs each of which, we may take it, represents a pocket-valve (Tm'ton pwnctatus, '1‘. cmlstatus). In other cases (Necturus, Ooecilia‘) the spiral fold has in the adult completely disappeared (Boas- J-R823. ’ s -VI HEART OF ' REPTILES 391

The hearts of Reptiles in general agree closely in their developmental features with that of Lcwerta. The most important variations are seen in the Crocodiles (Hochstetter, 1906*‘). The conus here is- of interest in that it still repeats with particular clearness the sharp double flexure seen in the .l‘)ip1'ioar1 (F 185).

The ventricular portion of the heart becomes completely divided" into a right and left ventricle by a septum which is formed for the most part from trabceular projections of’ the m'yoeardi'um but in part also from the endoeardiac bridge which divides the atri.oventricular opening as in the Bird. _ This septum becomes quite complete, the interventricular foramen which exists for a time closing up and the interventricular septum becoming continuous. with the aortic septum of the conus. This is rendered a possible physiological arrangement in the crocodile by the fact that here the opening from the ventricle into that cavity of the conus which is continuous with the right systemic aorta, is farther to the left than in Lizards, While on the other _hand the right atrioventricular opeuin g is farther to the right. The result is that the opening of the right systemic aorta... and the leftauriculoventricular opening lie to the left of the s_ep'tun1;while the openings of the left aorta and pulmonary artery together with . _ . the right auricuhiventricular opening lie to F“"' 185';“’“H°“"t"l“{"br"°“'°

-_ 7. _ __ w o , Crocouhle. (Alter H0('-llthe right of the septum. buch diiierences Stetter’19O6*.) in the position of the ventricular openings of the great arteries are regarded by Hoolistetter as due to varying degrees of i11c01'po1‘ati01.1 of the obliquely placed conus into the ventricle. i

The foramen of Panizza, that re1narkable_ communication which exists in the crocodile between the two systemic aortae close to their point of exit from the ventricles, arises as a secondary perforation of the aortic septum comparatively late in development just before the closing of the last remains of the interventrieular foramen. _

The splitting up of the coffiis into independent vessels remains as a rule in the Reptiles, as in Lacerla, in an incipient condition, indicated merely by a slight grooving of the surface. In Ophidia however the superficial groove becomes -so deepened as to split the conus completely‘ into an independent aortic and pulmonary root as in Birds. _ , .

Bassing in review the broad features of lieartdevelopliient in the lower Vertebrates the following general principles seem to emerge :(1) The primitive heart or primitive cardiac tube is that portion of the ventral or subintestinal vessel included within the limits of the pericardiac coelome.

(2) Annular segments in the wall of th.i§,i.§,,t11sbe lag behind in increase of diameter so that the tube beg‘oi;1e§f;»§§pnstricted into a


Ir, conus arteriosus; I-", ventricle. 392 EMBRYOLUGY OF THE LOWER V ERTEBRATES cu.

series of chambers~——si1ms venosus, atrium, ventricle and conus arteriosus——-the originally peristaltic waves of contraction tending to become reduced at each constriction so that the chambers come to contract in series.

(3) The primitive valvular apparatus consists of a series of longitudinal ridges. These are best marked in the conus where they were originally at least four in number. The presence of six in 1’ol;z/pterus and the occurrence of more than four rows of valves in various other relatively primitive Ganoids and Elasmobranchs suggests that the number may have been greater. Individual ridges may in various forms become reduced or disappear, while in other cases apparently an increase in number may take place. The ridges show very generally a tendency to develop from two distinct rudiments, an anterior one and a posterior one, but the continuity of the rows of valves in the lower fishes indicates the probability that this discontinuity is secondary. In the portions of the heart behind the conus the1'c is no complete series of ridges like those in the conus though it is possible that vestiges of such ridges are represented by the endocardiac cushions and septal rudiments.

(4) Using the ridges of the conus as marking morphologically longitudinal lines it is seen that the conus has in the Lung—1ishes undergone a double llexure of such a kind as to produce ‘wlfen straightened out a right-handed twist of the conus through approximately three right angles. 3

(5) In tctrapodous Vertebrates the conus shows a similar righthanded twist and this is adequately explained by the relative reduction in length which the conus has undergone if it be assumed that there was an ancestral condition resembling that of the existing Dipnoan. ...

(6) From the Lung-fishes upwards the originally right-hand ridge of the conus becomes hypertrophied and, either alone or by fusion with its mls-d-m's, forms a longitudinal septum dividing the cavity of the conus into two parts——pulmonary and aortic——twisted spirally round one another. "

(7) Correlated with this process is a tendency for the wall of the conus to lose its striped muscle and its rhythmic contractility. This process takes place from before backwards and the portion which has suffered this change, and the wall of which has assumed the ordinary arterial character, is in common usage included under the name truncus arteriosus.

(8) The atrioventricular part of the cardiac tube undergoes a double flexure similar in nature to that seen in the conus of the Lung-fish but of such a kind as would if straightened out give a left-handed twist.

(9) The valves and septa of this part of the heart originate in the endocardiac cushions and in Leptdosiren atrial septum and ventricular septum are at first continuous with. one another.

(10) In the evolution of the valves of the heart there has come VI HE ART AND ARTERIES 393

about a substitution of automatically acting pocket— or flap-valves for the original endocardiac ridge or cushions which for their functioning were dependent upon a complex and fallible neuromuscular mechanism.

ARTERIAL SYs'rEM.—-— -The conus arteriosus is primitively prolonged forwards into the ventral aorta which gives off on each side the series of aortic arches. The most important e.volutionary change wl1iel1 the originally simple tubular ventral aorta undergoes is a process of splitting whereby the stream of blood to the lungs is separated from that to the tissues generally. This splitting is seen for the first time in the Lung-fishes. Here a dorsal portion of the cavity is separated oil’, continuous behind with the pulmonary cavity of the conus and ending blindly in front by its floor meeting its roof. The anterior termination of this cavity is ust in lront of the point of origin of aortic arch V, and this arch along with arch VI, owing to the fact that they branch oil’ from the ventral aorta somewhat dorsally, open from the cavity in question. The horizontal partition which forms the floor of this dorsal pulmonary cavity begins in ontogeny as a rudimentary ingrowth on each side between the origins of arches IV and V. The two rudiments grow back, fuse, and form a horizontal partition continuous at its hinder end with the Right and Left ridges of the conus which, as already explained, form the floor of its. pulmonary cavity.

A’ similar splitting off of a dorsal, pulmonary, part of the ventral aorta occurs in air-breathing Vertebrates in general.

As regards the remaining, or systemic, portion of the ventral aorta, the main point to notice is its tendency to split into two separate halves in its anterior portion, a process correlated probably with" economy of material, allowing as it does the. origins of the aortic

- arch'e.s to be displaced outwards so as to shorten these arches. This

splitting or bifurcation of the ventral aorta spreads backwards for a variable distance, commonly to about the level of aortic arch III or IV. ' .

In the Reptiles there comes about an independent splitting into two lateral halves of the aortic cavity posterior to the region of the bifurcation just alluded to. A vertical septum grows backwards from the anterior lip of the opening into aortic arch IV of the left side and becomes continuous with the septum separating the two systemic cavities of the conus.

When this aortic septum is formed the ventral aorta in its hinder portion contains three cavitics—a dorsal, pulmonary, leading to aortic arches V and VI of both sides, a left ventral leading to aortic arch IV of the left side, and a right ventral leading to aortic arch IV of the right side together with the paired anterior part of the ventral aorta and the aortic arches springing from them. Each of the three cavities is continuous behind with the corresponding cavity of the conus. In the majority of Reptiles (not in Lacerta) the separation of these cavities is followed by splitting of the septa between them 394 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

so that the ventral aorta is resolved into three distinct vessels forming portions of the common pulmonary artery and of the right and left systemic aortae respectively. THE AORTIO Anenns AND THEIR DERIVATIVES.-——F1‘o111 the. ventral aorta there are given elf on each side a series of half-hoop-shaped aortic arches which pass in a dorsal direction, between successive visceral clefts, to open eventually into the dorsal aorta. In the region where it receives the aortic arches the dorsal aorta is frequeiitly paired (forming the aortic roots) either temporarily or throughout life. This assumption of the paired condition may not improbably be of similar significance to that of the ventral aorta 'o'.e. have to do merely with the eeonomizing of material. In any case the precise extent of the paired condition does not appear to be of any great morphological importance.

As regards the aortic arches themselves the following general features are to be noted: (1) that they develop in order of position from before backwards in agreement with the general principle of development of the vertebrate body and (2) that individual arches tend to become reduced in size in correlation with diminution of functional activity. Thus the mandibular and hyoid arches having lost or at least greatly diminished their respiratory activity even in the lower fishes we find a corresponding disappearance or reduction of their aortic arches. ’

An important point to notice is that where the particular visceral arch carries a true external gill (Crossopterygians, Lept'd0s'£ren and Protopterus, Urodele and some other Amphibians) the aortic arch passes out as a loop into the external gill. The aortic arch is in fact in these forms during early stages, before the gillclefts are perforated, the vessel of the external gill. Such relations on the part of vessels of the fundamental morphological importance of the aortic arches are not to be dismissed lightly as modern adaptive modifications. They appear to indicate that the archaic function of the aortic arch was to supply the external gill with blood. _

As the external gill ceases to function a short circuit is formed at its base, through which the blood passes directly to the dorsal part of the arch without traversing the external gill. In Urodeles, according to l\Iaurer, the short-eircuiting vessel sprouts downwards from the dorsal limb of the arch but in Lepidosrlren Robertson finds it arising simply by the enlargement of pre-existing chinks. Thus the definitive aortic arch, in those cases in which an external gill is for a time present, includes a portion secondarily intercalated in its

course and derived from the short-circuiting vessel.

In the typical fishes, where respiration is carried on by the wall of the gill-cleft, there becomes intercalated in the course of the aortic arch a respiratory network of capillaries, so that the arch is divided into a distinct ventral (afferent) and dorsal (efferent) portion. In such a fish as Lepidosiren, where the respiratory activity of the gills ‘VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 395

is comparatively small, the aorticareh can be traced throughout as a distinct channel ; while in the Amniota, where the walls of the gill clefts have completely lost their respiratory function, the respiratory network never develops at all.

FIG. l86.—~—Scheme of aortic arches and their «lerivatives_aS seen from the Velltml Sid}?The parts of the original scheme which disappear dui-mg development aie shown in

pale tone. A, complete unmodified series of aortic arches; B, arrangement in a Urodele; 0, 111 ‘I Reptile: I), in a Mammal.‘ A, dorsal aorta; a.r, aortic root; mi, aiiastomotic vessel; ac, common carotid;

(LB, duct oi'Bota1lus; d.c, dorsal (internal) carotid; 'i, innoniinate artery; 512'’: left l’”l'“0"‘"'y artery 3 L3, left systemic; yr, pulmonary; 'r.p, right pulmonary; 5'. systemic 30ml; 3. Sllbcla-Via“ 31‘t9l‘)’ § v.n, ventral aorta; um, ventral (external) carotid ; 1, 11, etc., aortic arches. ‘

The longitudinal vessels with which the aortic arches are con nected are prolonged forwards as the carotid arteries which supply

the head with blood. The Ventral aorta is prolonged forwards as the ventral, or external, carotid while the prolongation forwards oi the aortic root forms the dorsal, or -internal, carotid. Of the alternative 396 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH’.

names dorsal and ventral (Mackay, 1889) are to be preferred to internal and external, for the latter though in common use are less precise. During the development of the young individual there is laid down a general scheme of aortic arches and associated vessels agreeing with that just described, and the processes of modification whereby there becomes evolved out of this the complicated and very different arrangement of the great arteries of the adult afford material for one of the most fascinating chapters in vertebrate

Fm. 187.-—Illustrating modification of the carotid arteries, correlated with elongation of the neck region.

A, Varanid Lizard ; B, Grass-snake (’l"mpi«Ionolus); }).f'., primary carotid. (Other letters as in Fig. 186.)

embryology. The general lines of these processes are best illustrated by an outline of what happens in the group Reptilia.

The arrangement which the main arteries assume in adult Reptiles shows much variety. The relation which the adult arrangement in the more important Reptilian types bears to the primitive scheme may he gathered from an inspection of Figs. 186, C, 187, A, B, and 187A, C3 Through the conspicuous differences in

1 It must be remembered that in the actual animal the various bends and turns of the vessels tend to become strai htened out. For example arch III becomes simply a portion of a straight interna carotid artery. In the diagrams the original curvature of the arches is retained for the sake of clearness. VI ARTERIES OF iREP'.I‘ILESi 397

detail there can be seen general agreement in the fate of various aortic arches and of other parts of the primitive arterial scheme. Thus the ventral aorta is continued forwards to form the paired ventral (“external”) carotid arteries (12.0) while the aortic roots similarly extend forwards as the dorsal (“internal”) carotids (al.c). Aortic arches I and II disappear. Arch III persists as the root of the dorsal carotid while the portion of ventral aorta behind it, when

Fm. 187A.—-Illustrating modification of the carotid arteries, correlated with elongation of the neck region.

C, Crocodile; 1); Bird; c, coeliac artery; .s-2, secondary subclavian. (Other letters as in Fig. 186.)

paired, is the common carotid (0.0). Arch IV is the Systemic arch which sends the blood to the hinder portions‘ of the aortic roots (am) and thence to the dorsal aorta (A). Arch V is reduced, appearing only as inconspicuous and transient vestiges during development. Of arch VI the proximal portion becomes the root of the pulmonary artery (rap and l.p) while its dorsal portion disappears.

The chief diiferences in detail are as follows: those affecting the

carotids will be given more fully later on. In Lizards and Chelonians the dorsal part of arch VI persists as

I 398 l EMBRYOLOGY or THE‘ LOWER VERTEBRATES

a duct of Botallus forming a connexio

A.

FIG. 188. —-Illustrating the modification of aortic arches III-VI" during ontogeny in Scyllium, according to Dohrn.

A, Dorsal aorta; of, afferent branchiul; cm, unastornotic dues frol-H

vessel; cf, efferent branchial; -v.A, ventral aorta; 'v.c, visceral clefts; I1 I, IV, V, V’ I, aortic arches.

C11.

11 between the pulmonary

artery and the aortic root just as is shown in Fig. 186, B (LLB) for the Urodele amphibian. In other cases it may persist as a ligainentous vestige, as is the case on the left side in Tropidovzotus.

As a rule the portion of aortic root lying between arches III and IV disappears during , development but in most Lizards (not in Chaineleons and Monitors) i.t persists in the adult, so that in a dissection arches III and IV appear to run into one another peripherally.

In Monitors (Varanidae), in correlation with the elongation of the neck, arches Ill and IV hecorne widely separated from one another and the intervening portion of ventral aorta shows a corresponding lengthening both in its paired (common carotid) and its unpaired (primary carotid) portions.

In Birds (Fig. 187A, 1)) arch IV completely disappears on the left side and with it the portion of the left aortic root lying posterior to it. Consequently in the adult Bird there is only a single systemic aortic arch and it passes down the right side of the body.

ELASMOBRANCIIII.-— In the Ichthyopsida, as we should expect, the departthe primitive scheme are less pronounced; VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 399

they are mainly in details. In the Elasmobranchs perhaps the most conspicuous of these is to be seen in the relations of the efferent vessels, each of which emerges, not from an ordinary aortic arch traversing a gill septum, but from a vascular loop surrounding a gill-cleft, the general arrangement being that shown in Fig. 188, 0. According to Dohrn (1886) this arrangement comes about in the following way. As the Walls of the elefts form lamellae and develop respiratory activity, two branches grow downwards, one anterior and one posterior, from the dorsal end of each aortic arch (Fig. 188, A, V1). These branches become connected together by cross bridges as shown in the figure (cm). The aortic arch now undergoes reduction and eventually becomes obliterated, just ventral to the point where the two branches are given off (Fig. 188, A, arch lll), so that the arch is now divided into two distinct parts-— a ventral afferent and a dorsal elferent—the latter prolonged ventralwards into the two branches. Of these the posterior branch of each pair becomes somewhat reduced in size, it develops a secondary connexion at its upper end with the efferent vessel next behind and loses its connexion with its original efferent vessel. The result is that, after this has happened, each efferent vessel again possesses two branches at its ventral end but these, instead of passing into the same gill septum, pass into two adjoining septa one in front of and one behind the intervening cleft (Fig. 188, B). Eventually the. ventral ends of each pair of branches become joined so that the cleft is now surrounded by a complete efferent loop-— the loops of successive c1eI'ts being connected together by a single persisting anastomotic vessel (Fig. 188, C).

In C’/olamg/doselmtlms the modification of the aortic arches just described does not take place.

The number of aortic arches corresponds with that of the visceral arches and is normally six.

In correlation with the presence of the pseudobranch on the posterior face of the mandibular arch in Elasmobranchs the first aortic arch in these fishes is well developed but its primitive relations with the arterial scheme become much obscured owing primarily to the development of large new afferent and efferent channels connected with the pseudobraneh, which carries in its train the reduction of both the ventral and the dorsal portions of the original aortic arch.

1n the case of the second aortic arch, correlated with the fact that the anterior face of this visceral arch has lost its respiratory function, there is developed only a single, posterior, efferent downgrowth instead of two as is the case with the arches farther back. A Wide anastomosis between this and the first aortic arch

just below the spiracle provides the secondary afferent vessel to

the pseudobranch which as already mentioned supplants the primitive afferent vessel formed by the ventral portion of the first arch.

Q-If 400 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

CYeLos'1‘oMA'1'A. -——In the Lamprey it should be noted that according to Dohrn (1888) an aortic arch corresponding to aortic arch l of Gnathostomata makes its appearance and then disappears again. In Myxinoids the most important feature is that in them the number of aortic arches reaches its maximum for Craniata——-up to 14 in Jidellostovna.

CROSSO1’TERYGII.———Our knowledge is in this case very incomplete. The chief peculiarity (Graham Kerr, 1907) is that, correlated with the large size of the external gill belonging to arch II, which forms the sole respiratory organ during early stages of larval life, aortic arch II makes its appearance relatively early and the development of the other aortic arches is postponed. Distinct vestiges of aortic arch I make their appearance. The succeeding aortic arches rema.in small for a prolonged period. Aortic arch V I becomes much enlarged in its ventral part in correlation with the fact that it supplies the pulmonary artery.

AC'I‘IN01"l‘ERYGII.——-I11 the Teleostean fishes and in the Ganoids that approach must nearly to them (Lepido.steu,.s'—-—I*‘. W. Muller, 1897; Am'ia—-—-Allis, 1000) complicated changes, which need not be detailed, take place in arches I and II in relation with the blood supply of the pseudobranch which in these fishes (p. 159) comes to lie on the inner surface of the operculum.

DIPNOI.-—-I11 Lepidosiren (Robertson, 1913) aortic arches I and II never become complete well-developed vessels: they are vestigial and their ventral portions do not appear to develop at all. The remaining four aortic arches are well developed, each passes out into an external gill and in each an intercalary piece becomes developed to short-circuit the blood-stream at the time the external gills atrophy. In 0’emtodus and P9-otupterus efferent downgrowths make their appearance as in Elasmobranchs but they remain connected with the dorsal portion of their own aortic arch and do not undergo fusion at their ventral ends so that the condition in the adult departs less from the primitive than it does in the Elasmobranch.

AMPHIBIA»-—In U rodela the arrangement of aortic arches (Fig. 186, B) closely resembles that in Lung-fishes. Arches I and II are reduced: the latter in fact is according to Maurer (1888) no longer to be detected at all in the case of ’['7~zJt0n. Arches III, IV and V are prolonged outwards into external gills and in each case a short-circuiting piece becomes intercalated as the external gills lose their functional activity. According to Maurer the intercalary portion makes its appearance as a downgrowth from the dorsal or efferent limb of the aortic arch but this may perhaps be doubted in view of the fact that in Lung-fishes the corresponding piece of vessel develops by the widening out of pre-existing chinks (Robertson, 1913).

AMNIO'1‘A.—-Arch IV along with the aortic root into which it passes forms the main systemic aorta on each side. That of the left side is connected, in correlation with the spiral twist of the VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 401

conus and its derivatives, with the 'r'£_qht side of the ventricular cavity in proximity to the opening of the pulmonary artery. With the. separation of the two ventricles the arch in question remains connected with the right ventricle. With increasing efliciency of the pulmonary circulation the venous blood of the right ventricle would he drawn off more and more to the pulmonary artery and, correlated with this, we find in those Sauropsida in which metabolism is most active and respiration most efiicient that this fourth arch on the left side with its aortic root disappears completely (luring development, leaving only the single right-hand arch and

VNIII

aczz 0?.




4/I ’ V)


Fm. l89.——lll()0(l-Vessels of (Jroeodile of stage 55-56. (After Hochstetter, 1906*.) Arteries are shown in outline, veins black.

u.I'.r, :mte1mr cardinal vein; .l.;, :lm't:(' root; /mt, b:1.~.Il:u artery; ¢l.a-, (l()l:~.'ll em-ot,ul ; oi, otocyst; p,«-.4‘, 1u)sfL'I‘I0l'('ardInal win; 1.)). right pulmonary an Lt-I) : ear. venttal e.'uot.d ; HI-\ I. aoilic an-hes.

root to form the proximal part of the systemic aorta. (Birds, Fig. 187 A, 1)). '

Arch V, in the Anmiota, appears only transiently and so greatly reduced in size as to have completely escaped the notice of the earlier investigators. Hence in Rathke’s classical scheme of the aortic arches which is given in the older text-books only five arches are shown, the posterior one being called the fifth. With our present-day knowledge of the homology of the lungs of Amniota with those of Orossopterygians and Lung—fishes, such a scheme is clearly erroneous, as it would involve the pulmonary artery, which is certainly the same vessel throughout, taking its origin in the Ainniotes from the fifth and in the Ichthyopsida from the sixth aortic arch. So without any special embryological data we should

VOL. 11 2 D 402 EMl%RY()L0(l‘rY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

be justified in believing that in the Ainniota an aortic arch has disappeared in front of the last one. The persisting vestiges of this fifth arch, which are now known to occur commonly in the embryos of the Amniota, we"e detected first by van llemmelen (1886) in Reptiles and Birds. A good example of such a vestigial fifth arch is seen in the embryo of the Crocodile (Fig. 189). ‘

The cause of the reduction of this fifth aortic arch is probably to be recognized in the fact that it receives its blood from the pulmonary cavity of the conus and of the ventral aorta (Graham Kerr, 1907*‘). As a consequence of this, during the evolution of the lungs as the main organs of respiration a larger and larger proportion of the blood in the cavity mentioned has become drawn off to the lungs, leaving less and less for arch V, with the natural result that the latter has become reduced to the verge ol'disappea1'ance.

Before leaving the subject of the aortic arches it is necessary to point out that their diagrammatic arrangement as shown in Figs. 186 and 187 is commonly much obscured in the adult. For during development there occur not merely the disappearance of large. portions of the original scheme of arches and the straightening out of the unnecessary curves, but also other complications. The chief of these are due to the longitudinal vessels———ventral aorta or aortic roots-——lagging behind in their growth in length. This leads, according to the position in which it takes place, to the crowding together of the ventral or the dorsal ends of consecutive aortic arches, and their mere approximation may he succeeded by actual fusion so that two or more arches may come to have a common root emerging from the. ventral aorta, or a common terminal portion opening into the aortic root.

PULMONARY AR'1‘En\'.——The pulmonary artery makes its first appearance in Crossopterygian fishes (1’0l_7/ptelrus) as a branch from arch VI towards its ventral end which passes to the lung and adjoining parts of the pharyngeal wall. Throughout the series of lung—breathing Vertebrates it develops similarly as an outgrowth of the sixth aortic arch. A result of the main blq rod-St1'(‘a.1n of this arch passing olfinto the pulmonary branch is that the dorsal part of the arch lying beyond the point of origin of the pulmonary artery becomes as a rule reduced in size, forming the duct of Botallus. Except in the case of certain Reptiles (p. 397) the duct cl‘ Botallus becomes in normal individuals of the Amniota completely obliterated soon after birth.

In the Lung-fishes the point of origin of the pulmonary artery is displaced up to the dorsal end of arch VI where it is fused with arch V. Thus arch V is able to carry blood directly to the pulmonary artery and correlated with this it does not undergo the reduction in size which has taken place in the Amniota.

In Lepiclosiren and Protopterus an important development of the pulmonary artery takes place inasmuch as its area of distribution extends on to the lung belonging morphologically to the other side of VI ARTERIAL SYSTEM 403

the body. Thus the right pulmonary artery comes to supply the dorsal side of both lungs, and the left artery the ventral side of both lungs. Each lung in other words receives a supply of blood from. both pulmonary arteries and this illustrates an initial step towards the condition in Am/in, where the right and left sides of the air-bladder— the homologue of the right lung—-are supplied with blood directly by a typical right and left pulmonary artery. ln the Actinopterygian fishes apart from Amid. the pulmonary artery has disappeared entirely from development and the air-bladder receives its blood-supply by se.condary connexions with the dorsal aorta and its branches.

CAROTII) ARTERIES. As has already been indicated the great longitudinal arteries ventral and dorsal aortae-—-are prolonged forwards into the region of the head as the carotid arteries——ventral and dorsal. Of these the latter, receiving as it does, in the ease of the more primitive Vertebrates, blood which has been oxygenated by passing through the gills, becomes the more important and is responsible for supplying blood to the brain. .

The ventral carotids are found from the Lung-fishes onwards—— perhaps in correlation with the reduction of the first two aortic arches. They are known eonnn only under the name external earotid( = lingual artery of Amphibia) and supply blood to the ventral side of the head, though cases are known amongst animals no longer having functional gills (certain Mammals) in which they take over the bloodsupply of the brain also.

lt will be convenient to consider first the carotids as they occur in the development of the Amniota. The simplest condition is found in an ordinary Lizard (Lacerm) where they are seen as apparent prolongations forwards of the aortic root and of the ventral aorta respectively. This simple arrangement becomes in otherAmniota modified during the course of development i11 different ways, of which the following are the chief. In various Lizards ag. Chameleons and Monitors (and the same holds for the great majority of Amniota ——Fig. 187, A) the portion of aortic root between aortic arches III and IV disappears during development, the consequence being that arch III comes to form the posterior portion of the internal carotid artery, becoming drawn out in the process of growth so as to be in line with the front part of that artery derived from the aortic root. The paired part of the ventral aorta from which the third arch was given off now becomes the common carotid artery (ac). The unpaired portion of the ventral aorta, from which the common carotids spring, is known as the primary carotid and in the long-necked monitors this becomes much elongated, the growth in length of the neck taking place in the region between aortic arches Ill and IV (Fig. 187, A).

In the European Grass-snake (Tropidonotus, Fig. 187,- B) an anastomosis is formed between the two internal carotids just behind the head (Fig. 187, B, an) and, correlated with this, the right common carotid as a rule disappears except for a small branch at its hinder 404 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

end which supplies the Thyroid gland (O'Donoghue, 1912). The blood-supply of the head-region therefore passes to it entirely by the persisting left common carotid (c.c). In Snakes other than ’1'rop7ld0notus considerable variety exists in the condition of the common carotids. Thus amongst the Boidae the two arteries may remain of approximately equal size (Bria) or on the other hand the left may be reduced (Pg/tIa.0'n.).

In Chelonians and Crocodiles (Fig. 187A, C) the growth in length of the neck takes place in the region in front of arch 111 so that here it is the portions of the carotid arteries in front of this level which undergo elongation. In both of these groups an anastomosis forms in the head-region between dorsal and ventral carotids and, correlated with this, the main blood-stream tends to pass to the head by the dorsal carotids, the ventral vessels becoming to a less (Crocodiles) or greater extent (Chclonians) reduced in size (van Bemmelen, 1887; Mackay, 1889). In the Crocodiles a still further modification takes place, inasmuch as the two dorsal carotids become for a considerable, part of their length fused together into a single vessel, and following upon this aortic arch lll of the right side atrophies, so that here as in '/'7"0})id07L0tus, though for a different reason, the main blood-supply of the head comes from the left side.

In the Birds the condition closely resembles that of the Crocodile. Here also the ventral carotids become reduced —in this case to the point of complete disappearance——in the neck region as a (‘.O11b'e(_111OIlC0, of an anastomosis with the dorsal carotids in the head. Here also the. enlarged dorsal carotids approach one another on the ventral side of the vertebral column. In those birds which depart least from the primitive condition in this respect (Ostrich, Emu, Casuari, Tinamus, Penguins, Divers, Gulls, Plovers, Snipe, Rails and their allies, Fowls, Pigeons, Ducks, Ihises, Storks, Herons, Cormorants and some Gannets, Birds of Prey, Parrots, Hornbills, Motmots, Goatsuckers) the two definitive carotids merely lie in proximity to one another. I11 many birds however they become fused together into a single vessel over a great part of their length and in such a case there may be no further modification (certain Herons such as the common Bittern, some Cockatoos, some Uannets), or, as is the general rule, this fusion is followed by the disappearance of the third aortic arch of the right side just as was the case in the Crocodiles (Rhea, Apterg/ac, Grrebes, Quails, some Cockatoos, Capitonidae, 'l‘oucans, Hoopoe, Meropidae, Trogons, VVoodpeckers, most Swifts, Humming birds a11d Passerine birds). I11 a few cases on the other hand it is the third aortic arch of the left side which becomes reduced to a small vestige (l3‘l-amingo) or disappears entirely (.E'upod0t'is—-— the African Bastard).

Amongst the anamniotic Vertebrates typical dorsal and ventral carotids are present in Amphibians a11d Lung-fishes. The arrangement in Urodeles is illustrated by Fig..186, B: the chief peculiarity to be noted is that the posterior portion of the external carotid (12.0) VI - ARTERIAL SYSTEM 405

has disappeared in the adult, the persisting anterior portion receiving its blood through a new anastomotie channel (cm) from the third aortic arch. The posterior portion of the “external carotid” or “lingual artery ” of the adult Amphibian is really constituted by this new development.

The connexion of this newly developed portion of vessel with arch III is just at the point where the short circuit is formed between the afferent and efferent parts of the arch, and in Lungfishes (.Lep'id0si7*em——Robertson, 1913) the blood-supply for the external carotid comes to it, for a time during early stages, from the dorsal end of arch III or from the aortic root, through what seems to be a precocious development of this same short-circuiting channel. In this case the vessel in question is at first simply continued from its dorsal origin forwards into the external carotid: it is only later that it communicates with the ventral or afferent end. of arch III so as on the one hand to form the short circuit, and on the other to permit the blood to pass to the external carotid from the ventral aorta.

In the more typical fishes the ventral carotid is not yet present. The dorsal carotids of the two sides develop an anastomotic connexion beneath the base of the skull so to form with the aortic roots a complete “ cephalic circle” which shows characteristic differences in different Teleostean fishes (Ridewood, 1899).

INTE'RSE(_T}MENTAL Anrsmes or TIIE BoI)Y-WALL.-—-'1‘he dorsal aorta gives off on its dorsal side paired arteries which run out into the body wall between the Inyotomes. One of the most important features of this series of intersegmental vessels is that for a time during early stages of development they provide the blood-supply to the limb rudiments.

The main artery of the fore-limbw-the subclavian artery-— appears during the stages in question to be simply a prolongation into the limb rudiment from one of these intersegmental arteries»not necessarily the same artery of the series in different types of Vertebrate, or even in different developmental stages of the same Vertebrate. Thus in Lacerta it is said to be the seventh intersegmental artery (van Bemmelen, Hochstetter, 1906) which becomes the subclavian artery and in the Fowl the fifteenth (eighteenth or nineteenth if the three or four intersegmental vessels in the headregion are ineluded—-—Hochstetter, 1890). In the Duck, Rabl (1907) found that during the fifth day of incubation the subclavian varies from the eighteenth to the twenty-first intersegmental artery and that in some cases two or even three such Vessels may pass out into the limb rudiment at one time.

Probably we may take it that the‘ general principle at work is this——-that the limb, as it became shifted along the side of the body in the course of evolution, received its blood-supply from successive intersegmental arteries as it came to be opposite to them, and that during ontogeny there takes place an imperfect repetition (bf this process.

The fact that the pectoral limb is supplied with blood. by an 406 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.

intersegmental artery raises the question whether or not this is to be regarded as the primitive mode of blood-supply. For if this question he answered in the affirmative We should be confronted with a11 important point which would have to be borne in mind in all speculations as to the evolutionary origin of the limbs of Vertebrates. As a matter of fact, however, recent investigations tend to answer this question in the negative.

In the Chick (Evans, 1909) the limb rudiment in its earliest stages is traversed by an irregular network of blood spaces and this receives its blood-supply directly from the dorsal aoi ta by a number of slender ehannels——it may be as many as ten or eleven on the right side where they are commonly most numerous. These vessels are scattered irregularly over an antero—posterior extent of from three to five mesoderm segments and they take their origin from the dorsal aorta quite independently of and considerably ventral to the intersegmental arteries. As developmeiit proceeds a few of these supply channels those. which happen to be most nearly intersegmental in position———beco1ne relatively larger and finally a single one, at about the level of the eighteenth intersegmental artery, becomes especially enlarged and carries the main stream of blood to the limb rudiment while the others gradually diminish in size and eventually disappear. The persisting enlarged Vessel becomes the subclavian artery and secondarily its origin from the aorta becomes displaced in a dorsal direction until eventually it arises by a common root along with the intersegmental artery of which it now appears to form a branch.

In the Duck similar observations have been made so we are probably justified in stating that in the earliest stages of ontogenetie development the blood-supply of the pectoral limb is not metameric, and that the relation with the intersegmental artery observed in slightly later stages is a secondary acquii-ement.

In most vertebrates the subclavian artery which arises in the manner above. described (primary subclavian) persists throughout life. In Birds however a cross connexion develops between the primary subclavian just at the base of the limb, and the ventral end of the third aortic arch. This cross connexion gradually increases in size while the proximal part of the primary subclavian, arising from the aortic root, becomes correspondingly reduced and eventually disappears entirely. The result is that the permanent artery of the fore-limb in the adult branches off’, not from the dorsal aortic root but from the definitive ('z3.e. morphologically “intcrnal”) carotid, close to its hinder end. . A similar substitution takes place in Chelonians and Crocodiles (Fig. l87A, O) and this is the explanation, first given by Mackay (1889), of the otherwise puzzling fact that in certain Vertebrates the subclavian artery passes out ventrally to the vagus nerve (“secondary subclavian ”) instead of dorsally as it does normally.

The iliac artery to thehind limb has also been traced back in at least Lizards and Birds to the series of intersegmental arteries but vr ARTERIAL SYSTEM 407

here again it would appear from later investigations that the definitive artery is merely a surviving and enlarged representative of a number of original supply vessels (Evans, 1909).

’tepresentatives of the series of intersegmental arteries are recognizable in various Vertebrates in the hinder part of the headregion. Thus in Lacerta (van Bemmelen, Hochstetter, 1906) three have been detected in the head-region. Of these the first two disappear while the third becomes prolonged forwards immediately beneath the brain to become continuous with the internal carotid at the level of the mid-brain. These prolongations fuse together in the mid-line and form the basilar artery.

A similar basilar artery continuous with the internal carotids is of common occurrence in Vertebrates though the relations of its paired fore-runner to the series of intersegmental arteries differ in different forms.

The vertebral artery of Sauropsida is in its origin intimately related to the interserrmental arteries. Thus in Lacertrr. the intersegmental vessels posterior to the subclavian become connected together by a longitudinal anastomotic vessel, which persists and forms the cervical portion of the vertebral artery. In Snakes the two similarly-arising vessels apparently usually undergo fusion together in their anterior portion while farther back the unpaired condition is reached by the disappearance of the rudime.nt on the right side (Hochstetter, 1906).

The arterial blood-supply of the urino-genital organs is also generally provided by branches from the intersegmental arteries of the embryo.

M1«JsEN'1‘E1tIC Au'1‘E1uEs. The digestive tract receives a varying number of branches from the dorsal aorta which may be at first paired and undergo fusion secondarily or may be impaired from the beginning. In those vertebrates which have a bulky yolk—sae a pair of these are precociously developed as vitelline arteries. In some cases there is a remarkable relation between the chief mesenterie artery (coeliac) and the prone] )ll1'OS. Thus in L6})’id08'I:I'(3'Il. a connexion becomes established between the blood-spaces of the. right pronephros and those of the gut wall, and the branch of the dorsal aorta which supplies the right pronephros persists as the root of the definitive eoeliac artery. In such Teleostean fishes as the. Trout the connexion with the pronephric arterial supply is only temporary, a new anastomotic channel arising farther back between dorsal aorta

and mesenteric artery which remains as the definitive root of the latter vessel.


VENOUS SYsTEM.——-As an example of the development of the

venous system in a holoblastic Vertebrate we will take that of Lep1Idos'£1'e7t (Robertson, 1913)}

‘ For comparison with Lcpidosirmz, an account of the development of the vascular system of Uemtodus will be found in Kellicott (1905). 408 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.vI

The first part of the venous system (Fig. 190, A)—indeed of the, vascular systen1——-—to take definite form consists of the two vitelline veins, which pass tailwards ove.r the anterior surface of the yolk (stage 24). Anteriorly they become conjoined to form the heart while ,‘posteriorly they are continued into the rudiments of the vitelliue network (stage 24-25). The ap]»earanee ol' the vitelline. veins is followed almost immediately by the development of a longitudinal venous channel on each side anteriorly, superlicial to the aortic arches ——the anterior cardinal vein. At its hinder bud the anterior cardinal is continued into a set of venous spaces in the region of the pronephros (pronephric sinus) and onwards behind this as the posterior cardinal vein.

The pronephrie sinus is continued along its oute.r edge, by a number of channels, into the vitelline network of venous spaces, lying in the, splanchnic niesoderni over the surface of the yolk. In this network a conspicuous channel becomes apparent, leading from the anterior end of the ]_)l'()ll£’1)lll'lC sinus outwards to the vitelline vein, and so, by way of the anterior part of the vitelline Vein, to the heart. This vessel so constituted, which at iirst makes a wide sweep over the lateral surface of the yolk, is the Duct of Cuvier (Fig. 190, b, (L0). As development goes on the Ducts of (luvier becoine greatly shortened and at the same time widened until e\'e.ntually they form in the adult very short wide channels for the conveyance of the blood from the cardinal veins into the sinus venosus (see. Fig. 190, b and e and d).

The posterior cardinal vein on each side ap])ea1‘s about stage 24 in the form of spaces along the course of the archinephrie duct which become joined up so as to form two longitudinal Vessels running parallel to the duct, one on its mediodorsal the other on its ventrolateral side, the two vessels being joined round the duct by numerous anastomoses (Fig. 190, h and e, ;u.c.v).

These. posterior cardinal veins accompany the archinepliric duets throughout their length and just in front of the cloaca are joined by the hind ends of the bifurcated subintestinal vein (see below) and of the dorsal aorta. The vessel formed on each side by the union of these three elements is continued back last the cloaca and unites with its fellow of the opposite side to form a vessel lying iinmediately beneath the post-anal gut. This vessel is to be interpreted 1norpho_ logically as a post-anal ])o1‘tion of the sul )lllbC‘Sl}l]l{1]. vein and as will be shown later it is destined to become the caudal vein of the adult.

It will now be convenient to trace. out the subsequent fate of what may be called the dorsal venous system, consisting primarily of the anterior and posterior cardinal veins.

POSTERIOR CARDINAL V1«11Ns.——’l‘he posterior cardinal Vein Was left in the form of a pair of vessels, an inner and an outer, lying close to the archinephric duct and connected together by numerous anastomoses. As the opisthonephros develops between these channels they consequently co1ne,over a considerable part of their length, to be VI . VENOUS SYSTEM 417

blood-stream passes through these communications into the posterior cardinals and the latter take on the appearance of a direct forward prolongation of the caudal vein.

Dorsally there develops on each_ side a cardinal trunk which swells out into a great irregular sinus (pa) in the region of the pronephros, On its outer side branches pass from the pronephric sinus into the general vitelline network. In this network a specially wide channel develops, starting from the pronephric sinus and sweeping outwards over the yolk to join the lateral’ vitelline vein and so reach the heart. This channel, which becomes gradually more and more sharply defined, is the duct of Cuvier (Fig; 193, A, (L0). The pronephric sinus is continued backwards into the posterior cardinal vein. This is at first distinct from its fellow but at an early stage fuses with it to form a median inter—renal vein (Fig. 193, B, 7I7')—--the fusion being foreshadowed by the development of anastomotic conncxions between the two veins while still separated from one another by a distinct space (Fig. 193, A, an). Towards the cloaca the posterior cardinals taper off and are connected by irregular anastomotic ehannels_ with the subintestinal vein, as already mentioned, and also with the dorsal aorta. Eventually, as -already indicated, the inter-renal vein and the caudal vein form a continuous vessel.

During the later stages a striking asymmetry becomes apparent in the anterior, unfused, portions of the posterior cardinals——the left becoming greatly reduced as compared with the right (Fig. 193, D). The main blood-stream thus passesforwards on the right side, and upon this side a special direct channel develops on the ventral side of the pronephros, through which the blood-stream is able to reach the duct of Cuvier without passing through the tangle of pronephric tubules. The asymmetry affects also the ducts of Cuvier-— showing itself first in that of the left side becoming relatively shorter than its fellow, which retains for a time its wide sweep over the surface of the yolk (Fig. 193, B and C, d.(/"9. Eventually it too becomes shortened and its calibre becomes considerably greater than that of the left side (Fig. 193, D).

From the pronephric sinus a branch (Z/2:) develops about stage 30 which passes dorsalwards and then backwards beneath the lateral line nerve-—the lateral cutaneous vein. This, a large vessel about stage 33, becomes reduced to an insignificant vestige later on.

The anterior cardinal vein runs along the side of the head region, passing through the angle on the ventromesial side of the otocyst, between the latter and the brain-wall. At its front end the vein dilates into a large sinus, which gives off irregular branches to the mesoderm of the head. At an early stage an anastornotic channel makes its appearance on the outer side of the otocyst continuous anteriorly and posteriorly with the anterior cardinal. When this channel has been established (Fig. 193, A, La) the blood-stream from the head divides in front of the otocyst and passes backwards, part

VOL. 11 2 E 410 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CII.

separated from one another by a considerable space in which the renal organ lies. As this happens the inner components of the two posterior cardinals become approximated and eventually undergo fusion with one another to form an inter-renal vein (Fig. 190, d, 'i9'.'v). In _Lep1Idosi'ren this fusion is only temporary and the two components again recede from one another—remaining, however, connected by a small number of anastomotic vessels (Fig. 190, e). There now takes place a severance of the continuity of the inner component at its hinder end (Fig. 190, e,"*), and a little later a similar severance of the outer component at its front end. The physiological result of these interruptions of continuity is that the blood from the caudal region now reaches the opisthonephros entirely by way of the outer component, it then passes through the substance of the kidney and is draine.d away entirely by the inner component. In other words the outer component and its backward continuation has now become the renal portal Vein.

While these changes are going on in the opisthonephric region of the posterior cardinal the portion of that vein in front of the opisthonephros takes on the form of a single channel, the original inner component becoming enlarged while-the outer component becomes reduced and eventually disappears. The rightand left posterior cardinal veins in this region in front of the opisthonephros become connected by numerous transverse vessels (Fig. 190, d). A short circuit now becomes established by which the, blood from the right posterior cardinal can pass direct to the sinus venosus through the substance of the liver (Fig. 190, d, 12/0.0).

This short-circuiting channel is of great morphological importance. It constitutes the intrahepatic or headward section of the posterior (“inferior”) vena cava, which in the higher vertebrates becomes the largest vein in the body. lts appearance here is followed by two important results. (1) The main blood-stream from the kidney region tends to pass to the heart, more and more by this direct channel, which in correlation with this becomes larger and larger. (2) The portion of right posterior cardinal vein lying behind its junction with the intrahepatic channel becomes correspondingly e11la.I'ge( l.

These two components together constitute the definitive posterior vena cava, in which vessel therefore. we recognize two fundamentally distinct portions, an anterior or intrahcpatic, and a posterior or cardinal. A secondary result of the diversion of the blood-stream from the right posterior cardinal vein through the hepatic component is that the anterior portion of the former vein, lying in front of the junction of the two components, becomes relatively reduced in size. It loses its continuity with the rest of the. right posterior cardinal and persists as the small vein shown at 12 iii Fig. 190, e.

An important clue to the origin of the. posterior vena cava in phylogeny is given by the condition seen in the adults of existing L1.1ng-fishes. The opisthonephros in these vertebrates retains its VI VEINS OF LEPIDOSIREN 411

primitive elongated form, extending far forwards in the splanchnocoele, and the iront end of the right opisthoncphros is in immediate apposition to the tip of the liver which is also situated dorsally and on the right side. It is no doubt the approximation of the tips of these two organs, still persisting iii the adult Dipnoan, which paved the way for the establislnnent of direct continuity between their vascular networks and the consequent short-circniting of the renal blood through the hepatic vci11 into the heart (Graham Kerr, 1910)

The ladder-like connexions between right and left posterior aardinals in the region anterior to the inter-renal vein gradually disappear in turn from before backwards (Fig. 190, d and e).

ANTERIOR CARDIN AL V EIN s.——Apart from relatively less important details, the chief change which comes about in regard to the anterior cardinal is the diversion of the blood-stream about the level of the otocyst into a more laterally placed channel called the lateral cephalic vein, which eventually becomes intercalated in the course of the anterior cardinal, and to all appearance forms simply a portion of that vein (Fig. 190, (1, L0). The anterior cardinal vein at first passes back along the side of the head region (following the course shown by the dotted outline i11 Fig. 190, d), ventral to the otocyst and internal to the posterior cranial nerves, to join the front end of the pronephric sinus. Presently (stage 30) a branch of the anterior cardinal vein makes its appearance and extends backwards external to the ganglion of the seventh cranial nerve, bending inwards and n-joininlg the anterior cardinal between the eighth and ninth cranial nerves. A little later (stage 31) the vessel forming the outer side of this loop becomes prolonged back and forms a second loop external to the ninth cranial nerve and rejoining the main Vessel between nerves IX and X. Finally (stage 31 + ) a similar extension backwards occurs external to the vagus, rejoining the anterior cardinal vein just behind it. ’l‘he lateral cephalic vein develops from the outer portions of these three vascular loops, the development of each of the three segments being followed by the atrophy of the corresponding section of the original anterior cardinal, except in the case of the most posterior section which persists as a short wide vein opening along with the posterior cerebral vein (ce”) into the definitive anterior cardinal.

VENTRAI. VENOUS SYSTEM.-—In addition to the dorsally placed cardinal veins there. exist certain important veins situated more ventrally and developed in relation with the vitelline veins. The vitelline veins spread backwards on each side as a wide vessel consisting of an enlarged channel of the vitelline network which covers the whole surface of the yolk. Posteriorly they unite in the. midventral line to form a very short subintestinal vein in front of the an11s (Fig. 190, O, S.’t.’I)). Later on the space bounded by the two vitelline veins becomes bisected by a median ventral vein which looks like a prolongation forwards of the subintestinal vein and 412 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

is known by the same name. (Fig. 190, D, s.z';v”). It will be realized that this anterior section of the subintestinal vein is developmentally of a different nature from the posterior portion for it is formed by a short-eircuiting of the blood-stream through the vitelline network, while the posterior portion represents rather the conjoined hinder ends of the paired vitelline veins (Fig. 190, O and D). This difference in development is no doubt purely secondary and we may take it that the later condition, where the subintestinal vein is continuous right forwards to the heart, represents the really primitive condition of this vein in evolution. The continuity of the subintestinal vein at its front end with the heart is brought about in ontogeny through blood-sinuses which make their appearance in the liver (stage 3]).

The right vitelline vein and the anterior, secondarily formed, portion of the subintestinal vein now gradually disappear (about stages :52 - ‘%5). The left vitelline vein ceases to form a continuous channel over the surface of the liver to the heart, so that the blood in it is forced to traverse the system of blood sinuses within the liver. 111 other words the whole of the blood which streams forwards in the subintestinal vein is diverted along the persisting left vitelline vein into the network of blood spaces in the liver. Subintestinal vein and left vitelline vein have thus come to constitute the hepatic portal vein. 'l‘he latter becomes complicated by a branch sprouting out from the front end of its subintestinal portion. This branch spreads round the alimentary canal along the line of the spiral valve, fusing with the subintestinal vein at each point of intersection (Fig. 190, F). As the liver increases in length a special supply channel from the portal vein lengthens out along its left side, giving off numerous branches into the liver substance (Fig. 190, F). From this the blood drains by numerous efferent vessels into the intrahepatic portion of the posterior vena cava.

CAUDAI. VI«:IN.——’.l‘hc post-anal portion of the subintestinal vein was left (p. 408) at a stage when its anterior bifurcated portion was continuous on each side not only with the pre-anal portion of the same vein but also with the dorsal aorta and the posterior cardinal. As development goes’ on the first two of these connexions disappear so that the post-anal subintestinal vein is new continuous anteriorly only with the posterior cardinal. VVith the atrophy of the post-anal gut, it comes to lie immediately beneath the caudal portion of the dorsal aorta and is now known as the caudal vein, its anterior forked portion forming the binder ends of the renal portals.

The veins which have been described constitute the main trunks of the venous system; in the later stages of development a number of other important vessels appear which are indicated in the diagrams. The subclavian vein (Fig. 190, d, .9) appears about stage 31 + leading from the pectoral limb into the pronephric sinus. As this sinus atrophies the point of opening of the subclavian vein comes to be situated on the anterior cardinal vein (Fig. 190, e, s). From the subclavian vein a small lateral cutaneous vein (Lo) passes back VI VENOUS SYSTEM 413

in tl1e body-wall. An inferior jugular vein (7}.j) passes back from the head-region, lateral to the pericardiae cavity, and opens into the anterior cardinal close to its hind end and on its ventral side. In later stages the po_int of junction of the inferior ji1g11la1' with the anterior cardinal comes to be shifted relatively forwards, as was the case with the suhclavian. Farther forwards the anterior cardinal is joined by an anterior and a posterior cerebral vein (ce’ and ca”) from

d.C.

A B C

D

Flu. 191.—Diagrams illustrating early stages in the development of the venous system of Elasmobranchs according to Rah] (1892) and Hochstetter (1906).

«.0. v, anterior cardinal vein; om, fused portion of \-'it'..ellim- veins behind liver; rl, posii.ion of cloaca; 4l._('_', duct oi‘ Uuvier; h..:', hepatic vein; p.(_'.'1‘, posterior cardinal vein; s.i.'v, subintestinal vein; ruv, vitelline vein ; :0/..s'.v, main vein from yolk sue.

the inside of the head. At the hind end of the system rectal (7') and pelvic (pl) veins open into the renal portal. The former appear to be the persistent remains of the anastomotic branches which in early stages connected the hind end of the subintestinal vein with the posterior cardinal.

ELASMOB_RANCIIII.——It is instructive to compare with the development of the venous system in a holohlastic vertebrate the corresponding phenomena as they occur in the Elasmobranchs, the lowest of the nieroblastic gnathostomes. An inspection of Fig. 191 brings out the most conspicuous difference, one that could be foretold a priori, 414 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

namely that, in agreement with the general principle «that animals with a large supply of yolk tend to show a precocious development of the vessels on the surface of the yolk, the vitelline veins and their derivatives make their appearance relatively earlier as compared with the cardinals than they do in Lepirlomlren.

Here again the first of the main trunks to make their appearance are the vite.lline veins, which by their fusion anteriorly form the heart (Fig. 191, A, 12.12). The most conspicuous difference in the next subsequent stages is that the two veins are for a considerable period strongly asymmetrical (Fig. 191, B), the right becoming greatly “reduced, and only the left being commonly traceable back into the subintestinal vein (1’r7Istiurus——Rab1, 1892 ; Accmth'ias——Hoffmann, 1893). There can be no reasonable doubt that this is to be looked upon as a secondary modification of a symmetrical condition of the two veins as seen in Le}7'id0s’iTe7b, and probably the impelling factor which has brought about the modification is to be recognized in the fact that the main channel for draining away the blood from the surface of the yolk-sac is situated on the left side and opens into the left vitelline vein (Fig. 191, 3/.s.v).

The unpaired mesial prolongation forwards of the subintestinal vein between the two vitelline veins which was so conspicuous in Lepidoselren has not been noticed in Elasmobranchs.

Both vitelline veins break up into a network as they traverse the liver, the parts of the veins in front of this network persisting as the hepatic veins of the adult (Fig. 191, l), /my). The portion of right vitelline vein behind this network is for a time much reduced, the left alone serving to supply the network with blood. Immediately behind the live.r, and in front of the yolk-sac vein, the two vitelline veins are fused together for a short distance into a single vessel (Fig. 191, C, an), and the same is the case again from about the level of the pancreas backwards where they form the subintestinal vei11, though it should be noticed that there still persist during early stages of the development of the subintestinal vein in Elasmobranchs distinct traces of the paired condition, the vein consisting of two parallel components situated on each side of the mid-ventral line of the intestine. These components soon become connected together by numerous anastomoses and eventually fuse completely to form a median vessel except where this is prevented by the presence of the cloaca.

The main vein from the yolk-sac (3/.s.-v) joins the left vitelline vein in the region in front of the pancreas and presently the portion of left vitelline vein behind the opening of the yolk-sac vein disappears. It thus comes about that the blood from the subintestinal vein passes forwards to the liver entirely through the right vitelline vein---in contrast with Lepidosiren where it did so by the left vitelline vein.

Cardinal veins and duct of Cuvier make their appearance, the chief difference from Lepidosdren being the comparative shortness of VI VENOUS SYSTEM 415

the duct of Cuvier which does not take the wide sweep over the surface of the yolk that it does in Lepitlosrkren during early stages. This difference is related to the fact that here the first rudiment ‘of the duct of Uuvier opens into a portion of the vitelline vein which has fused witl1 its fellow to form the hind end of the cardiac tube, while in Lep'izl0s'i7'e7t it opens much farther back, the result being that in Le_p'i(l0.‘i'r6'n a considerable stretch of free vitelline vein becomes incorporated in the definitive duct of Cuvier (compare Figs. 191, C and 190, b).

As in Lepwlclosirevi. the caudal vein becomes continuous with the posterior cardinals and loses its continuity with the pre-anal portion of the subintestinal vein. The inter-renal vein however develops here simply as a forward extension of the caudal vein according to Rabl. A number of anastomotic vessels connect up the inter-renal vein with the “posterior cardinal ”—-—the equivalent of the external component of this vein in Lep'idos'£7'en. The posterior cardinal now becomes obliterated behind the anterior one of’ theseanas tomotic vessels while the inter-renal becomes separated off from the caudal vein so that the whole blood-stream from the latter has to pass through the kidneys to reach the inter-renal. The latter vein splits into a pair of vessels eventually, thereby revealing that the inter-renal vein here is homologous with that of L6p'icl0si}'c7l in spite of’ its difl'erent———no doubt secondarily modified-—mode of development.

The anterior cardinal vein here again becomes in part replaced by a lateral cephalic vein.

In the lower vertebrates in general we may recognize the same main trunks as occur in Dipnoi and Elasmobranehs, with differences in detail. The following account gives an outline sketch of the development of the venous system in the various groups, the outline being filled in more fully in the case of 1’ol3/pte7"u.s on account of the very archaic character of this fish.

CYeI.0s'1‘0MA'1‘A.———ln the Lamprey, according to Goette (1890), the pair of vitelline veins appear first, spreading backwards on either side of the liver rudiment and meeting behind in the unpaired and much dilated subintestinal vein (Fig. 192, A). The vitelline veins break up into a network in the liver b11t on the left side the posthepatic section of vitelline vein disappears, so that the hepatic portal vein is formed by the subintestinal and right vitelline vei11 (Fig. 192, B and ())—somewhat as in the Elasmobranch, and unlike Legnldosiren where it is the right vein which disappears. 'l‘he vein of the “spiral valve.” of the intestine arises comparatively late, at the time of metamorphosis according to Goette, and on the opposite side of the gut from that on which the subintestinal vein lies. This latter is no longer ventral but high up on the right side, owing to a rotation which the gut has undergone.

The anterior and posterior cardinal veins present the peculiarity that they open at first separately into the vitelline veins. Later they become fused together to form the duct of Cuvier. Eventually the 416 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES on.

left duct of Cuvier disappears completely (Fig. 192, C) the blood from the left cardinals passing to the right side by a new anastomotic vessel which develops ventral to the dorsal aorta (Fig. 192, C, an)—-an arrangement presenting a remarkable analogy with what happens in certain Mammals.

CROSSO1’TERY(‘}1'I.——-II1 these archaic Teleostonies the main features of the development of the venous system have been investigated in P0lypterus—the less specialized of the two surviving genera (Graham Kerr, 1907).

In the earliest stage described there is a well-developed subintestinal vein which in front breaks up into a vitelline network.

Fm. 19‘3.-—-l)evelopment of veins in P(’tI'()uJ_7/2-;'n-N. as seen from the ventral side. (Al'1'er Goette, 1890.)

c_z.r.r, anterior c-ardinal vein; rm, anastomotic vein ; (l.l', duct. of (juvia-r; hm, lmpatic veins; Ii, outline oI.']i\'e1'; 1.11:9, left vitelline vein; p.rt.:', posterior ca1'tlina.l win; r. 121', right vitelline VI-in; s.i..a_-, suhintr-stinal win. Portions of the venous trunks which disappear during,‘ ontogeny are shown by dotted 0llhlllll'h' ; the outline of the liver is shown in IS by an into-rrnptetl line.

This drains into a pair of lateral vitelline veins which unite in front to form the heart. Postcriorly the subintestinal vein bifurcates to pass on each side of the cloaca and then joins again to form the post-anal. subintestinal vein. In its double cloacal portion, and also in front of this, wide communications pass between the subintestinal vein and the posterior cardinals. The ultimate fate of the subintestinal vein differs in its pre-cloacal and post-cloaéal portions. The former loses its identity in that it becomes entirely resolved into, portions of the vitelline network. The post-cloaeal portion becomes converted into the caudal vein in the normal fashion as already described for Lepid0s'i'r(m. It has already been mentioned that wide communications were established between the paired cloacal portion of the subintestinal vein and the posterior cardinals. With the breaking up of the pre-cloacal part of the vein the main VI VENOUS SYSTEM 417

blood-stream passes through these communications into the posterior cardinals and the latter take on the appearance of a direct forward prolongation of the caudal vein.

Dorsally there develops on each side a cardinal trunk which swells o11t into a great irregular sinus (gm) in the region of the pronephros. On its outer side branches pass from the pronephric sinus into the general vitelline network. In this network a specially wide channel develops, starting from the pronephric sinus and sWee.ping outwards over the yolk to join the lateral vitelline vei11 and so reach the heart. This channel, which becomes gradually more and more sharply defined, is the duct of Cuvier (Fig. 193, A, (1.0). The pronephrie sinus is continued backwards into the posterior cardinal vein. This is at first distinct from its fellow but at an early stage fuses with it to form a median inter-renal vein (Fig. 193, B, 7}/-)——the fusion being foreshadowed by the developme.nt of anastomotic eonnexions between the two veins while still separated from one another by a distinct space (Fig. 193, A, cm). Towards the eloaea the poste1'io1' cardinals taper off and are connected by irregular anastometic chan11els_ with the subintestinal vein, as already mentioned, and also with the dorsal aorta. Eventually, as -already indicated, the inter-renal vein and the caudal vein form a continuous vessel.

During the later stages a striking asymmetry becomes apparent in the anterior, unfused, portions of the posterior cardinals——the left becoming‘ greatly reduced as compared with the right (Fig. 193, D). The main blood-stream thus passes forwards on the right side, and upon this side a special direct channel develops en the ventral side of the pronephres, through which the blood-stream is able to reach the duct of Uuvier without passing through the tangle of pronephric tubules. The asymmetry affects also the ducts of (}uvier—— showing itself first in that of the left side becoming relatively shorter than its fellow, which retains for a time its wide sweep over the surface of the yolk (Fig. 193, B and (J, d.(/'). Eventually it too becomes shortened and its calibre becomes considerably greater than that of the left side (Fig. 193, D).

From the prenephric sinus a branch (lxz-) develops about stage 30 which passes dorsalwards and then backwards beneath the lateral line nerve——tl1e lateral cutaneous vein. This, a large vessel about stage 33, becomes reduced to an insignificant vestige later on.

The anterior zardinal vein runs along the side of the head region, passing through the angle on the ventromesial side of the otocyst, between the latter and the brai11-wall. At its front end the vein dilates into a large sinus, which gives off irregular branches to the mesoderm of the head. At an early stage an anastomotic channel makes its appearance on the outer side of the otocyst continuous anteriorly and posteriorly with the anterior cardinal. When this channel has been established (Fig. 193, A, Le) the blood-stream from the head divides in front of the otocyst and passes backwards, part Fm. 193.——Devc1opmeut of dorsal venous systeiii of 1"(')ly}Jte‘l"lt8_, as seen from the dorsal side.

Stages 27-29 (A); 31 (B): 33 (C); 30 mm. larm (D and E). a.c.w, anterior cardinal vein; an, aliastomotic vein; (1.! ‘, duct of Cuvier; hm, hepatic vein; h.('p.*v.('), pmzteriol‘ vena cavn; i.j, inferior jugular ; 1'7‘, inter-renal vein; l.c, lateral coplialic; I.«v,1ato,ru1 cutaneous; 31, pulmonary vein; p.c.v, posterior cardinal; pn, pronepin-ic sinus; s, .~:ubc1m'ian Vein ; ’l'h, thyro d.

418 CH. v1 VEIN S OF POLYPTERUS 419

on its outer and part on its inner side. Eventually the inner channel becomes constricted across and finally completely severed at its hinder end so that the whole blood-stream passes back by what was the outer channel. The inner channel persists as a small vein which opens at its front end into the definitive anterior cardinal. We see then that here, as in the Lung-fish or the Elasmobranch, the “ anterior cardinal” vein of later stages has intercalated in its length a segment of lateral cephalic vein.

Au inferior jugular vein on each side ('23./') drains the. blood from the ventral side of the head into the. duct of (juvier, and development goes on these become asymmetrical, the left becoming greatly reduced while the right forms a large vessel, trifid at its front end where it receives the blood from the thyroid (Fig. 193, D, T/1,).

'J‘he liver rudiment, at first a portion of the general yolk-mass, is at this stage supplied with blood by the portion of the general vitelline network which extends over it. The. portal vein develops simply as an enlarged channel of the network on the left side of the hepatic rudiment. There is no information as to whether this is really the persisting left lateral vitelline vein as we might expect: nor is it known whether the hepatic vein is derived from the prehepatic portion of this same vein.

An important feature is that there becomes established an anastomosis between the, blood-vessels of the liver at the hinder end of that organ and the inter-renal vein, so that a portion of the interrenal blood - stream becomes short - circuited direct to the heart through the hepatic vein, which in correlation with this forms a wide channel throughout the length of the liver (Fig. 193, E, h.(p.'r.c)). This enlarge.d hepatic vein is of morphological importance as it is clearly the equivalent of a posterior (or ‘‘inferior’’) vena cava. In the. Crossopterygian this vessel takes a step in evolution beyond the condition in Lung-fishes, inasmuch as its posterior portion becomes denuded of liver substance, so that it runs for a considerable distance through the splanchnocoele as a naked vessel.

Another important vein which makes its first appearance in the (lrossopterygian is the pulmonary vein. The hepatic vein, which towards its headward end lies on the dorsal side of the liver, comes into close contact with the pharyngeal floor in the region of the glottis, and venous spaces developing in the mesoderm sheath of the pharynx come to open into it. These are apparently the forerunners of the pulmonary vein. In the 30-min. larva, as in the adult, there is a main pulmonary vein which still opens into the hepatic vein on its dorsal side (Fig. 193, D, 1)). In addition to this main pulmonary vein, formed by tl1e. fusion of two branches coming from the ventral side of the two lungs, there is a small accessory vein coming from the dorsal side of the root of each lung and from the adjoining parts of the pharyngeal wall. These also open into the hepatic vein just in front, and on each side, of the opening of the main vein.

TEl.EOS'1‘El.——A1I10ngSt the Teleostean fishes We find the same 4'20 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

venous trunks laid down as in the Lung-fish or Elasmobranch. There is within the group considerable variability but the variations are as a rule derivable from a primitive type like that of Lepidosiren. Thus in Salmo the subintestinal vein bifurcates in front into the two paired vitelline veins while in numerous other Teleosts (Esom, Bclone, S3/ngnathas, Iflppocampas, Gobius) it passes forwards into a median unpaired vitelline vein. Each of these conditions is obviously derivable from that illustrated by Jjepidosiren, by the disappearance, on the one hand, of the median, and, on the other, of the paired vitelline veins.

AMPnmIA.—-In S'a.l(mtu.n¢l7'a, (Uhoronshitzky, 1900) two lateral vitelline veins are described, the right comparatively small in size. Behind the liver rudiment they lie close together near the midventral line and passing forwards they diverge, passing one on each side of the liver rudiment to unite in front of it and form the hind end of the heart. The two veins undergo fusion behind the liver to form the subintestinal vein and in front of the point of fusion the right vein disappears so that, as in the Lung-fish, all the blood passes to the heart round the left side of the liver. The mesenteric vein develops as a branch of the right vitelline vein close to its front end and after the disappearance of the greater part of the right vitelline vein the mesenteric is seen replacing it as the right limb of a horseshoe-shaped arrangement of veins which embraces the «liver rudiment from in front. The portion of the vitelline veins in front of the mesenteric breaks up into the hepatic network. The vitelline vein shrinks to an inconspicuous vestige while the mesenteric becomes relatively large and forms the hepatic portal of the adult.

The posterior cardinal veins (Hochstetter, 1888) run alongside the archinephric ducts, which they more or less surround, to the region of the pronephros where each dilates to form a large pronephric sinus. I11 the opisthonephric region the vein forms two main channels an inner and an outer (Fig. 194, B, op), the former eventually undergoing fusion with its fellow to form an inter-renal vein which becomes later the renal portion of the posterior vena cava. The outer channel, as in the Lung-fish, becomes continuous with the caudal vein to form the renal portal, while at the front end of the opisthonephros it loses its connexion with the part of the vein lying farther forwards. A venous connexion is established between the front end of the inter-renal vein and the tip of the liver, and the channel which so arises, commencing behind in the inter—renal vein, traversing the substance of the liver and ending in the hepatic vein, forms the posterior vena cava (Fig. 194, 0, 10.0.0). In later stages the liver tissue disappears over the greater part of the posterior vena cava so that it passes naked through the splanchnocoele.

The anterior cardinal vein with its intercalated section of lateral cephalic persists as the internal jugular vein of the adult. The Duct of (juvier also persists in the adult and is now termed the

anterior vena. cava. VI VENOUS SYSTEM 421

The anterior abdominal vein arises as a pair of small veins in the ventral body-wall. These unite in front in the region of the liver and open into the left duct of Cuvier according to Hochstetter. Later the two veins fuse into a single unpaired vessel except at their hinder ends where they become connected with the renal portal vein on each side. Anteriorly the opening into the duct of Cuvier becomes replaced by an opening into the hepatic portal vein.

d.C. Jill. act». /2 a. pn. si 11.. par op ’ (‘U A B C 0

Flu. 19-1.—~Development of main venous trunks in Salanuuzdra according to Hoclistctter (1888).

u.r.u, anterior ('.'1r(linal vein; c.v, vandal win ; ¢I.(', duct of Cuvwr; hm, hepatic \cm ; op, opisthonephros; p.r‘.v, p0St~l‘I‘l()l cardinal vein; p.'v.c, posterior wna vava; pn, prenephric sinus; r.;p, renal portal; s, subclavian ; s.’i.I', subinte-stmal wm ; 3.1‘, sinus venosus.

SAUROPSIDA.—-—Here we find the same main venous trunks as in the lower groups and, in correlation with the large quantity of yolk, the ventral or vitelline system of veins develops preccciously as compared with the dorsal or cardinal system. .

Lacerta, which has been investigated in detail by Hochstetter (1892), may be taken as an example of the Reptiles. The first veins to make their appearance are the lateral vitelline veins which pass forwards on the dorsal side of the yolk-sac, converging in front to form 422 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

the hind end of the heart. The two vitelline veins become connected by a transverse anastoniosis dorsal to the gut and just behind the dorsal pancreatic rudiment (Fig. 195, B). The parts of the veins in front of this anastornosis break up into a network in the substance of the li.ver, and the two networks become continuous with one another (Fig. 195, C). The two vitelline veins now form another anastomosis

Fm. 195.—-Diagrams to illustrate the development of the. ventral part of the venous system in Lacertu u._(/zll-is as seen from the ventral side. (After Iiochstetter, 1892.)

ab, abdominal vein; «LC, duct or (fuvler; :1.-v, ductus venosus; ant, alimentary canal: 1.0.11, left all:1.lll}(')l('. win; If, liver; 1.1.‘.-v, left vitelline vein; 7;, portal vein; 1». l‘.(.', posterior vona, cm-a; mull, right alluntoic vein ; -r.'v.-r, right vitelline vein.

with one another farther back and ventral to the alimentary canal (Fig. 195, C). The right vitelline vein becomes reduced and finally obliterated in the region in front of this ventral anastomosis so that the whole blood-stream passes forwards to the level of the dorsal anastomosis by the persistent left Vein (Fig. 195, D, l.v.v). In the region anterior to the dorsal anastomosis the left vein now diminishes in size and finally disappears, first in the region behind the hepatic VI VEIN S OF LACERTA 423

network (Fig. 195, D) and then in the region in front of the network (Fig. 195, E). Results of these changes are (1) that the hepatic network receives its blood supply by a single afferent vessel——the hepatic portal vein—-which curves round the gut and is derived in great part from the left vitelline vein——and (2) that its blood drains away to the heart by a single efferent vessel~—the hepatic vein——derived from the front end of the original right vitelline vein.

At a comparatively early stage in development a direct channel becomes established, by the widening out of the venous spaces along the middle of the hepatic network, so that a considerable proportion of the blood is able to pass forwards from the portal vein through the liver without actually traversing the network itself. This cha.nnel——the ductus venosus (Fig. 195, G, 11.1)) persists till nearly the period of hatching but then becomes obliterated so that all the portal blood has to traverse the hepatic network.

The posterior vena cava makes its appearance as a gradually widening channel through the hepatic network towards its right side (Fig. 195, D, E, [).'I7.6). This portion of the liver becomes prolonged backwards as a slender lobe ensheathing a prolongation of the blood channel mentioned. This prolongation fuses at its tip with the tip of the right opisthonephros, continuity becomes established between the venous spaces of the two organs and finally, as in the Amphibian, the liver tissue disappears ove.r a large stretch of the slender lobe already mentioned so that the vena cava is now for a considerable length free from either liver or kidney.

At an early stage a branch of the vitellinc vein develops close to its front end. This is the allantoic or umbilical vein (Fig. 195, roll and loll). These veins soon become asymmetrical, the left for a time being smaller than the right (Fig. 195, I), E). A little later however the left vein establishes a connexion with the hepatic network (Fig. 195, F); the portion of the vein posterior to this connexion becomes much widened, and the blood-stream from it courses by an enlarged direct channel of the network into the posterior vena cava (Fig. 195, F, G). The blood-stream being diverted through this channel, the portion of the left allantoic vein in front of it shrinks in size and disappears, as does the Whole of the right allantoic vein (Fig. 195, F, G). The result is that there persists a single (left) allantoic vein which drains the blood from the allantois into the posterior vena cava near its front end. The allantoic vein increases in size with the allantois but becomes obliterated at the time of hatching when the allantois is cast off. The mesenteric vein develops as a branch of the portal vein (left vitelline vein) a short distance behind its entry into the liver: it increases in size as the vitellinc diminishes with the consumption of the yolk and eventually it alone persists as the peripheral portion of the definitive portal vein of the adult.

The subintestinal vein is apparently present only in its post-anal portion which persists as the caudal vein of the adult. In front 424 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH.

of the anus, where the ventral wall of the primitive alimentary canal has become intensely modified in connexion with the storage of yolk, the subintestinal vein has disappeared from the course of development.

As regards the dorsal venous system (Fig. 196), the two posterior cardinal veins converge posteriorly and become continuous with the caudal vein. The portions in the region of the opisthonephros become resolved into their external and internal components connected by numerous sinus~like spaces and channels amongst the kidney tubules (Fig. 196, A). With the development of a capillary network

A B C

as

C“-"

Flo. 196.——Diagr:un illustrating the development of the dorsal venous system in l.m.-arm according to Hochstetter, as seen from the ventral side.

a..c.'v, anterior cardinal vein ; «-, (-.:audnl vein; d.(J, duct of Cuvier (-—-ant. vena cava); ii, iliac vein ; 1r.c.v, posterior cardinal vein; 7-:.zr.r.', posterior vena cava; .-, subclavian vein.

in the substance of the opisthonephros the larger blood spaces become divided into an afferent set connected with the external component and an efferent set connected with the internal one. The external channel remains continuous with the caudal vein and forms the renal portal vein. The two internal components fuse together in their anterior portion (Fig. 196, B) and become continuous with the intrahepatic portion of the vena cava. Posteriorly they remain separate and lose their continuity with the caudal vein (Fig. 196, B, C). The blood from the kidneys being now able to pass to the heart by the direct route through the posterior vena cava, the portions of posterior cardinal lying in front of the kidneys are no longer required and soon disappear (Fig. 196, C). VI VEN OUS SYSTEM 425

In the head region the anterior cardinal becomes in great part replaced by a lateral cephalic vein in a manner similar to that already described for Lc_p'id0.s"i7'07t.

B1nDs.——In Birds the development of the venous system pursues, as we should expect, a similar course to that already described for Reptiles. Amongst the differences in detail the most striking is that the two vitelline veins become completely fused into a single vessel, the ductus venosus, through the hepatic region, before there are any signs of a hepatic network. This may be regarded as a backward extension of the fusion of the two vitelline veins which gives rise to the heart. The ductus venosus secondarily becomes surrounded by tile. liver rudiment and a network of channels spreads out from it in the liver substance. The allantoic veins behave as in Lmrerta except that a small vestige of the left is said to persist throughout life.

The reduction of the tail region in modern birds has brought with it a modification of the caudal vein which is here paired, taking the form of a simple backward prolongation of the posterior cardinal. The main channel of the posterior cardinal runs along the outer edge of the opisthoneppros but later on a slender channel appears along its inner edge—that on the right side being continuous with the posterior vena cava of which it forms simply a backward prolongation. The two inner channels undergo fusion so that the blood from the kidneys can drain away entirely into the posterior vena cava and this is followed as in other cases by the atrophy of the. portion of posterior cardinal lying in front of the opisthonephros. This atrophy extends as far forwards as the subclavian vein which in the Fowl opens into the posterior cardinal vein some distance from its front end. The portion of posterior cardinal lying in front of this point is consequently saved from disappearance and persists as a portion of the definitive subclavian vein of the adult. It will be. understood that the blood of the outer channel of the posterior cardinal, which reaches it from the caudal vein, from the posterior limb, and from the body-wall, passes entirely through the_ opisthonephric network towards the posterior vena cava, in other words that there is at this time a typical renal portal system.

As the metanephros develops, its tubules are also mixed up with the sinuses connecting external and internal channels of the posterior cardinals, so that it too has for a time a functional renal portal system. Later on however one of the channels through the metanephros becomes enlarged and the blood-stream passes directly through it to the posterior vcna cava without traversing the meshes of the network. A true renal portal system then no longer exists and the reason for its disappearance is no doubt to be found in the fact that the vascular network of the kidney has become connected with the arterial system. Obviously this will give a much more efficient circulation than the original one, owing to the. higher blood pressure in the dorsal aorta and renal arteries than in the renal portal veins which have the systemic network of capillaries interposed between them and the heart. Further the quality of the blood supplied in this way to the kidney is better——being arterial instead of venous—-and for both these reasons we can readily understand the tendency in the more highly developed vertebrates for the renal portal system to disappear.

It has already been remarked that the posterior cardinals do not pass back into an unpaired caudal vein as in the Lizard. A vestige however of the unpaired condition may perhaps be recognized in the development of an anastomosis between the two vessels just behind the metanephros. From the transverse bridge so formed a connexion (coccygeo-mesenteric vein) is established with the portal vein in the mesentery.

The anterior cardinal vein together with an intercalated portion of lateral cephalic persists as the jugular vein of the adult bird.

The posterior cardinal vein undergoes in the Bird a curious change of position in relation to the root of the iliac artery which it crosses behind the mesoncphros. At first it lies on the ventral side of this artery: then it develops an accessory channel round the dorsal side of the vessel and finally the whole blood-stream passes by this dorsal channel while the ventral one disappears. This affords a good example of the way in which a vein may in the course of evolu tion pass an apparent barrier formed by an artery, nerve or other organ.

INTER-SEGMENTAL VE1Ns

In the body wall there develops a series of veins corresponding with tl1c interscgmental arteries and opening into the cardinal veins.

VEINS OF LIMBS

The vascular network of the limb-bud drains into the posterior cardinal vein. In the Bird (Evans, 1909) the, drainage during its earliest stages is into the allantoic vein. Later numerous cl1an11els arise connecting the network with the posterior cardinal and presumably one or two of these become enlarged and persist as the definitive veins draining the hind limb.

LYMPHATIC SYsTEM

The venous system has its obvious roots peripherally in the capillary network of blood-vessels, but it is also provided with a much less conspicuous set of tributary channels which constitute the lymphatic system. This extension of the vascular system retains a lower grade of evolution than the remainder. Its channels are less sharply defined, the lining endothelium over most of its extent having a much feebler development of the backing of connective tissue and muscle which forms the thick wall of the vein or artery. In its peripheral portions the lymphatic spaces may have remained practically in the primitive condition of intercellular chinks of the mesenchyme, while in its central portions, as it approaches the points at which it opens into the ordinary veins, its walls may be Well developed and muscular. The lymphatic system serves to drain oil’ the plasma which has oozed out from the capillary blood-vessels and forms the internal medium bathing the surface of the living cells of the body, and to return it to the blood-stream.

The fluid is peopledfby amoeboid eorpuscles but is without the red corpuscles which have no power to escape through the walls of the blood-vessels.

Our present knowledge of the ontogeny of the lymphatic system is in great part due to the labours of Huntington and McClure whose papers should be consulted as regards details. It seems clear that as a general rule lymphatic channels develop, later than the blood - vessels, as intercellular chinks in the mesenchyme which become continuous and form definite channels, the bounding cells becoming converted into thin endothelium.

Spleen

The spleen arises in Lepidoszveot and 1’r0topte7'us (Bryce, 1905 ; Purser, 1917), which may be taken as typical examples, in the form of a condensation of the mesenchyme of the gut-wall. Blood spaces soon make their appearance in the rudiment which later becomes intercalated in the course of the main venous channel leading from intestine to liver. Later on the main blood-stream passes to the liver by a direct channel, the spleen now lying on a lateral loop : later still the afferent part of this loop becomes replaced functionally by a new arterial connexion.

The spleen rudiment frequently arises in close proximity to that of the pancreas and this has led to statements that the spleen is actually derived from the pancreas but the probability seems to be that such statements are based upon erroneous observation.

Literature

Allis. Zool. Jahrb. (Anat.), xiv, 1900.

Bemmelen, van. Zool. Anzeiger, ix, 1886.

Bemmelen, van. Meded. tot de dierkunde. Amsterdam, 1887.

Boas. Morph. Jahrb., vii, 1882.

Bryce. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edin., xli, 1905.

Choronshitzky. Anat. Hefte (A1-b.), xiii, 1900.

Dohrn. Mitt. Zool. Stat. Neapel, vii, 1886.

Dohrn. Mitt. Zool. Stat. Neapel, viii, 1888.

Evans. Amer. Journ. Anat., ix, 1909.

Gegenbaur. J enaiseher Zeitsehrift, ii, 1866.

Goette. Abhandlungen zur Entwickelungsgeschiclate der Tiere, v. Hamburg and

Leipzig, 1890.

Greil. Morph. .laln'b., xxxi, 1903.

Hochstetter. Morph. Jahi-b., xiii, 1888.

Eochstetter. Morph. Jahrb., xvi, 1890.

Hochstettor. Morph. .Tahrb., xix, 1892.

Hochstetter. Hertwigs Handbuch der Entwicklnngslehre, iii, 1906. Hochstetter. Voeltzkows Wissensehaftliehc Ergebnisse, iv. Stuttgart, 1906*. Hofimann. Morph. Ja.hrb., xx, 1893.

Hoyer. Bull. intern. Acad. Sci. Cracovie. (Jomptes rendus des Séances, 1900. Huntington and others. Anat. Record, ii, 1908.

Huntington. Anat. Record, iv, 1910.

Kellicott. Memoirs N. Y. Acad. Sci., ii, 1905.

Kerr, Graham. The work of J. S. Budgctt. Cambridge, 1907.

Kerr, Graham. Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., xvii, 1907*.

Kerr, Graham. Proe. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., xviii, 1910.

Langer. Morph. Jahrb., xxi, 1894.

Mackay. Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc., B, clxxix, 1889. 428 EMBRYOLOGY OF THE LOWER VERTEBRATES CH. VI

McClure. Aunt. Record, ix, 1915.

Maurer. Morph. .Iuhrl)., xiv, 1888.

Mollier. IIc1't\\ig'.-4 I-[mulbuch «lor Entwicklungslelm-, i, 1906. Muller. Abhand. Akad. Wiss. Berlin, 1845.

Miiller, F. W. Arch. mikr. Anat., xlix, 1897.

O’Donog'hue. I’:-nu. '/.00]. Soc.'Lond., 1912.

Purser. (311zn't. .lo1u'n. Mior. Sci., lxii, 1917.

Rabl, C. Lt-1u-kawts l"vstscln'ift. Leipzig, 1892.

Rabl, H. Arch. mikr. Anat., lxix, 1907.

Ridewood. l’l'0c. '/.001. S00. Lund., 1899.

Robertson. Quart. .lo1u'11. Micr. S(:i., li\', 1913.

R586. Morph. J:Lh1'b., .\'Vi, 1890.

Ruckert. Biol. ()9IItI':1l1)laLt, viil, 1888.

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Textbook Chapters: 1 Formation of the Germ Layers | 2 Skin and Derivatives | 3 Alimentary Canal | 4 Coelomic Organs | 5 Skeleton | 6 Vascular | 7 Internal Body Features | 8 Adaptation to Environmental Conditions | 9 General Considerations | 10 Common Fowl | 11 Lower Vertebrates | Appendix

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