Page:Microscopicial researchers - Theodor Schwann - English Translation - 1947.pdf/66

THE OVUM AND outside of them. The generation of the cells takes place in a fluid, or in a structureless substance in both cases. We will name this substance in which the cells are formed, cell-germinating material (Zellenkeimstoff), or cytoblastema. It may be figuratively, but only figuratively, compared to the motherlye from which crystals are deposited.

We shall refer to this point at greater length hereafter, and only anticipate our subject with this result of the investigation, in order to facilitate the comprehension of what follows.

In the previous section of this work we have discussed in detail the course of development of some of the animal cells, having taken the chorda dorsalis and cartilage for our examples. We are now required to prove, as far as is possible, that all the tissues either originate from, or consist of cells. We separate this investigation into two divisions. The first treats of the Ovum and Germinal membrane, in so far as they form the common basis of all the subsequent tissues. The second division embraces the permanent tissues of the animal body, with the omission of the two already described.

The ovum of Mammalia lies, as is known, within the Graafian vesicle. I have not made any investigation as to whether that vesicle may be considered to have the signification of a cell. It is ineed a cell in the general sense of the word, being a cavity in the substance of the ovary, it has even a special membrane ; but as we here only receive the word cell as signifying an elementary part of animals and plants, it becomes necessary to inquire whether this membrane may not be a secondary formation resulting from the junction of other structures which are elementary. The history of the development of the Graafian vesicle must show whether that be the case, or whether it originate by the mere growth of a cell furnished with a structureless cell-membrane, which cell may formerly,