Abstract
IN this communication, reprinted from the Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History, Dr. Morse gives an account of his examination of the tadpole-like larva of a sessile Tunicate at Eastport, Maine, in July 1870. He confirms the statements of Kowalewsky and Kupffer, j and describes “a remarkable structure in the caudal fin, which vividly recalled the fine diverging rays seen in the embryo fish. These rays were exceedingly delicate, though plainly marked. They ran off nearly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tail, and were confined to the last five segments.” This observation, if confirmed, will be of importance; it points rather to general piscine affinities in the Tunicata than to their special connection with Amphioxus. We are glad to see that Dr. Morse is alive to the danger of mistaking the effects of preserving fluids for natural appearances in microscopic specimens. Some neat figures illustrate the paper, which we hope is only the beginning of more complete investigation of this deeply interesting subject by the writer.
On the Early Stages of an Ascidian (Cynthia pyriformis).
By Edward S. Morse (Boston: 1871.)
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On the Early Stages of an Ascidian (Cynthia pyriformis) . Nature 6, 43 (1872). https://doi.org/10.1038/006043b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/006043b0