The distribution of aeriferous tracheae for the ovaries of insects.
Examination of the tracheal supply to the ovaries in insects selected from nine orders shows that the main tracheae are always of the aeriferous type: characterized by a coating of spiral tubules with permeable cuticle which bring the tracheal air into close contact with the haemolymph. The structure of these tracheae is constant, from large tracheae exceeding 50 mum in diameter to small vessels with diameter a small fraction of 1 mum. On the other hand there is great diversity in the methods by which oxygen is delivered to the individual oöcytes, some of which are briefly defined.
Wigglesworth
V B
VB
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.