Owing to the nature of the above process of invagination the mesenteron is at first only provided with an epithelial wall on its dorsal side, its ventral wall being formed of yolk-cells ([fig. 170]). At a later period some of the yolk-cells become transformed into the epithelial cells of the ventral wall, while the remainder become enclosed in the alimentary cavity and employed as pabulum. The whole of the yolk-cells, after the separation of the mesoblast, are however morphologically part of the hypoblast.
Fig. 171. Longitudinal vertical section through an embryo of Petromyzon of 136 hours.
me. mesoblast; yk. yolk-cells; al. alimentary tract; bl. blastopore; s.c. segmentation cavity.
The final fate of the blastopore is nearly the same as in Amphioxus. It gradually narrows, and the yolk-cells which at first plug it up disappear ([fig. 170] C and D). The neural groove, which becomes formed on the dorsal surface of the embryo, is continued forwards from the point x in [fig. 170] C. On the conversion of this groove into a canal the canal freely opens behind into the blastopore; and a condition is reached in which the blastopore still opens to the exterior and also into the neural canal [fig. 170] D. In a later stage ([fig. 172]) the external opening of the blastopore becomes closed by the medullary folds meeting behind it, but the passage connecting the neural and alimentary canals is left. There is one small difference between the Frog and Amphioxus in the relation of the neural canal to the blastopore. In both types the medullary folds embrace and meet behind it, so that it comes to occupy a position at the hind extremity of the medullary groove. In Amphioxus the closure of the medullary folds commences behind, so that the external opening of the blastopore is obliterated simultaneously with the commencing formation of the medullary canal; but in the Frog the closure of the medullary folds commences anteriorly and proceeds backwards, so that the obliteration of the external opening of the blastopore is a late event in the formation of the medullary canal.
The anus is formed (vide [fig. 172]) some way in front of the blastopore, and a postanal gut, continuous with the neurenteric canal, is thus established. Both the postanal gut and the neurenteric canal eventually disappear.
Fig. 172. Longitudinal section through an advanced embryo of Bombinator. (After Götte.)
medullary canal; ch. notochord; pn. pineal gland.
The two other types classed above with the Amphibia, viz. Petromyzon and Acipenser, agree sufficiently closely with them to require no special mention; but with reference to both types it may be pointed out that the ovum contains relatively more food-yolk than that of the Amphibian type just described, and that this leads amongst other things to the lower layer cells extending up the sides of the segmentation cavity, and assisting in forming its roof.