Further investigations on the structure and function of cephalic organs of a nemertine Lineus ruber.
The glandular cells of these paired neuroglandular organs pour their secretions (neutral mucopolysaccharide) into a cerebral (cephalic) canal connecting the organ lobule to the external medium. The secretions are then taken up by the 'vesicular cells' lining the blind end of the tube. They are transformed into acid -mucopolysaccharide in the vesicular cell and are discharged at the basal surface of the cell. The discharged materials are phagocytosed by cells of another type which resembles macrophages; these enter the blood lacuna by 'diapedesis' through the wall of the organ. The activity of the glandular cells and vesicular cells changes coincidentally with light and with salt concentration in the external medium. The function of the organ is discussed.
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The Physiological Laboratory, Downing Street, Cambridge, England.