ON THE ORIGIN OF LYMPHATICS IN BUFO 



OTTO FREDERIC IvAMPMEIER 



From the Anatomical Laboratories, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh 



THIRTY-FIVE FIGURES^ 



The question of the origin of lymphatics continues to incite 

 the most animated controversy in the field of anatomy in America 

 at the present time. Consequently all observations bearing 

 directly upon this problem are eagerly awaited and are received 

 with enthusiasm by investigators specially interested in it. For 

 the last two years the author has focused his attention upon the 

 development of the lymphatic vessels in Amphibia with the hope 

 of being able to discover an evidence to the solution of that 

 problem which could not be controverted by any criticism, and 

 incidentally of adding to our as yet fragmentary knowledge of 

 the phylogenesis of the lymphatic system. Although such a 

 hope may have been too sanguine, inasmuch as the evidence 

 offered does not entirely reveal how much fact and how much 

 fiction there is in the various hypotheses propounded hitherto, 

 the observations reported here differ so decidedly from observa- 

 tions made in the past and at the same time fit in so readily with 

 them that we trust much has been accomplished towards a speedy 

 termination of the dispute. An extensive paper dealing with the 

 genesis of the lymph hearts, ducts and sinuses in Amphibia is in 

 the process of preparation. Some months, however, will inevi- 

 tably elapse before this work is in its final form. It has seemed 

 expedient, therefore, to publish immediately for the benefit of 

 the writer's co-workers in lymphatic research a partial account 

 embodying the central point of his investigations. 



Early embryos of the American and the European common 

 toads constitute the chief material of this inquiry. The first 

 were collected near Princeton, New Jersey, the second were 



1 Cost of illustrations in part borne by the Laboratories. 



161 



THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OS ANATOMY, VOL. 17, NO. 2 

 JANUARY, 1915 



