436 EMBRYOLOGY. 



the parental tissue are united with its upper end by means of 



connective tissue. 



In Mammals the development takes place in a manner similar to 



that of the Chick. In the Rabbit there also arise follicles, each of 



which at first encloses a small 

 cavity, but later becomes solid. 

 They are then entirely filled with 

 spherical cells, which possess a 

 certain resemblance to lymph- 

 corpuscles. The opinion has 

 therefore been expressed by many 

 (HENLE) that the pineal body is 

 a lymphoid organ, an opinion. 



Fig. 25.-Section through the pineal gland however, which is refuted by the 



of a Turkey, after MIHALKOVICS. Mag- study of the development, for 

 nified 180 diameters. " .. . _ ... . 



/.Follicle of the pineal gland with its cavities; genetically the tollicles are ex- 

 b, connective tissue with blood-vessels. clusively epithelial structures. 



In the adult there are formed 



within the individual follicles concretions, the brain-sand (acervulus* 

 cerebri). 



In Man the pineal body, which begins to appear in the sixth week 

 (His), exhibits a peculiarity as regards its position. Whereas the 

 free end of the epiphysis is at first directed forward, and in other 

 Vertebrates is also retained in this position, it acquires in Man an 

 opposite direction, inasmuch as it bends backward on to the surface of 

 the lamina quadrigemina. Probably this is connected with the fact 

 that the gland is crowded back by the excessive development of the- 

 corpus callosum. 



As the signification of the pineal gland is still doubtful, so is that 

 of the pituitary body or hypophysis cerebri, which, as has been 

 previously mentioned, is united with the floor of the between-braiu 

 at the apex of the infundibular process. 



The Development of the Hypophysis (Pituitary Body). 



TJie hypophysis is an organ which IMS a double origin. This is 

 expressed in its entire structure, since it is composed of a larger, 

 anterior and a smaller, posterior lobe, which in their histological 

 characters are fundamentally different from each other. 



In order to observe the beginning of its formation, it is necessary 

 to go back to a very early stage (fig. 237), in which the oral sinus 



