On the morphogenesis of the papilla foliata of the rabbit

There exist in the literature numerous contributions dealing with the form and distribution of the gustatory papillae in vertebrates and with the structure and innervation of the gustatory buds. This literature is foreign to the problem here under discussion and will not receive consideration at the present time. Relatively few observers have dealt with the development of the gustatory papillae, and fewer still have considered the development of the papilla foliata of the rabbit or of other forms in which this type of gustatory papilla is prominent. v. Wyssl who was the first to call attention to the details of structure of the papilla foliata of the rabbit and the great number of gustatory buds there found, makes only incidental mention of its development, stating that it is quite well formed in the new born rabbit and contains taste buds which have, however, a more rounded form and are smaller than in the grown animal. Lustigz states that with the aid of a lens he was able to recognize the papilla foliata in rabbit embryos having a length of 6 mm. to 7.5 mm. and that they are more developed in 10 mm. rabbit embryos, however, that it was not possible for him so define the taste buds. A fairly comprehensive account of the development of the papilla foliata of the rabbit is given by Hermann.3 This observer found that