Preliminary Account of the Development of the Lampreys

Abstract

ABSTRACT For nearly a year (1879-80) I was occupied in the laboratory of Professor Gegenbaur in working out the development of the Lampreys, the results of which investigations will appear shortly in a more extended form. It seemed, however, desirable to give a preliminary account of the results which have been obtained, in order, as far as possible, to direct the attention of morphologists to the general character of the development of this important and little understood group of Vertebrates. Professor Gegenbaur very kindly placed at my disposal the splendid material which was so laboriously and skilfully collected and prepared by the late Dr. Calberla. This consists of an immense series of preserved embryos and larvæ, and of many thousand prepared sections; and, in addition to these, I have further obtained a fine series of larvæ, for which I am indebted to the friendly offices of Professor Wiedersheim.