Detailed observations were made of the facial artery in 20 raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus Temminck) utilizing the plastic injection method. The findings obtained were discussed in comparison with the facial artery of carnivorae. The facial artery diverged anterolaterally from the external carotid artery independently at a position between the origins of the lingual and the posterior auricular arteries when the external carotid bent laterally in front of the tympanic bulla. This artery, immediately after giving off the styloglossal branch, passed forwards superomedial to the digastricus muscle and medial to the insertion of the pterygoideus medialis muscle up to the posterolateral end of the mylohyoideus muscle, where the submental artery was derived. The submental ran forwards, giving off the digastric, the mylohyoid, the sublingual and the cutaneous branches, down to the posterolateral end of the intermandibular symphysis, where it anastomosed with the opposite fellow. The facial artery bent inferolaterally and passed laterally giving off the pterygoid and the inferior masseteric branches, and then emerged out onto the face through the facial vascular notch located inferoanterior to the angular process, which was extremely well developed in this species. The main stream of the artery ran anterosuperiorly at about 40°to the horizontal plane along the anterior margim of the masseter muscle, since the notch was located on a projected level posterior to the middle of the zygomatic arch, giving rise en route to the anterior masseteric, the mandibular marginal, the buccal and the cutaneous branches. The artery finally divided into the inferior and superior labial arteries at the inferior margin of the mandibular origin of the buccalis muscle in the angle of the mouth. The facial artery of the raccoon dog was thus similar in its origin to that in the dog, cat and lion, but notably different in the short course of its submandibular region, and the nearly horizontal passage of the main route in the face, without the mandibular glandular branch. Additionally an extremely well developed angular process, a submandibular lobe and fairly posterior position of the vascular notch were found.

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An investigation was made of the laminar structure of the masseter muscle in 3 lions (Panthera leo s. Fells leo), and the findings obtained were evaluated in comparison with those in some other carnivora. Although the general aspect of the masseter of the lion resembled that of the cat, there was no close similarity or analogy between them. The construction of the masseter in the lion was as follows. The superficial layer consisted of primary and secondary sublayers, the intermediate layer was composed of anterior and posterior portions, and the deep layer also had anterior and posterior portions. Among these three layers (the masseter proper muscle), the superficial layer was extremely well developed as a characteristic feature of this species. The maxillomandibularis muscle was developed in a muscular element of its origin and had its tendinous insertion on the anteroinferior margin of the masseteric fossa. The zygomaticomandibularis muscle was also fairly well developed in the form of two muscular bundles which originated from the temporal crest, a shelf forming a lateral protrusion on the basis of the zygomatic process, and its posterior surface. Both muscles were also well developed as the masseter improper. Such a huge and complicated laminar pattern of the masseter muscle in the lion should be sufficient to exert a strong force as a predatory animal.

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During the dissection of a 42 years old male cadaver, an accessory muscle contained in a seperate sheath of fascia was found at the inferior and anterior aspect of the right gluteus maximus muscle.

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Seasonal changes in the corpuscles of stannius of Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) have been studied during various stages of reproductive cycle. During the pre-spawning period, corpuscles of stannius are found as enlarged, oval or elongated in shape, lobes are clear and show cellular and nuclear hypertrophy while spawning phase shows atrophy in the corpuscles of stannius, their cells and nuclei. During post-spawning period corpuscles of stannius are more active than spawning phase and showed high physiological activity. Two corpuscles of stannius are also observed during this phase. This study shows that corpuscles of stannius are more active during late prespawning phase. During such period, animals are sexually mature and an increased estrogen secretion by the ovaries is naturally expected. This study suggests a correlation with the gonadal maturation and structural changes in the corpuscles of stannius during seasonal variations.

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The neuronal organization of the habenular ganglion (HG) was studied in the red stingray using the rapid Golgi method. The HG was made up of the medial (MH) and lateral habenular nucleus (LH), and the former nucleus was further divided into a dorsal, intermediate and ventral subnucleus. Only one type of neurons were observed in the MH, while the LH was composed of two types of neurons. In the left HG cut at the rostrocaudal middle of the ganglion, the LH was located in the dorsolateral region, while the dorsal, intermediate and ventral subnuclei of the MH occupied the dorsomedial, intermediate and ventral portions of the ganglion, respectively. In contrast, the right ganglion seen at this level was composed exclusively of the MH, with the dorsal, intermediate and ventral subnuclei located in the dorsomedial, intermediate and ventral portions, respectively. In the caudal level of the left ganglion, each nucleus was seen almost in the same region as in the level of the rostrocaudal middle, however, three subnuclei of the MH fused with the same subnuclei of the opposite side. In the right ganglion at the caudal level, the LH appeared in the intermediate area The right LH was far smaller and was located more ventrocaudally than the left LH. On account of the LH, the intermediate subnucleus of the MH was divided into a dorsal and ventral part. The dorsal and ventral subnuclei of the MH remained in the same region as in the rostral level. Thus, the HG of the red stingray exhibited a striking left-right asymmetry, the most remarkable aspect of which was considered to be differences of the size, form and location of the LH between the left and right HG.

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Afferent fibers to the habenular ganglion (HG) were derived mainly from the stria medullaris thalami (SM), which was roughly divided into a dorsal and ventral bundle. In the left ganglion seen at the level of the rostrocaudal middle, the dorsal bundle gave off collaterals to the lateral habenular nucleus (LH) and dorsal subnucleus of the medial habenular nucleus (MH), while the ventral bundle innervated the intermediate and ventral subnuclei of the MH. On the other hand, in the right ganglion at the level of the rostrocaudal middle, the dorsal subnucleus of the MH was innervated by collaterals from the dorsal bundle of the SM, whereas in the intermediate and ventral subnucleus fibers from the ventral bundle were seen. In the left ganglion at the caudal level, the dorsal and ventral bundle extended medially and joined the same bundle of the opposite side to constitute a dorsal and intermediate component of the habenular commissure, respectively. A third component of the HC, a ventral component, was seen to run between the fasciculus retroflexus of both sides. As in the case of the rostral level, the dorsal bundle of the SM emitted collaterals to the LH and dorsal subnucleus of the MH, while the intermediate and ventral subnuclei of the MH were projected upon by collaterals from the ventral bundle of the SM. At the caudal level of the right ganglion, the dorsal bundle gave off collaterals to the dorsal subnucleus of the MH. In contrast, the LH and the intermediate and ventral subnuclei of the MH were innervated by fibers from the ventral bundle. With regard to terminal patterns of the SM, fibers to the MH gave off many short fine branchlets forming the glomerular structures, whereas those to the LH branched out into numerous terminals to form a dense fiber plexus. Thus, the afferent fibers to the HG in the red stingray exhibited a striking left-right asymmetry.

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Some researchers have already described the fowl proventriculus. However, we believed there was a need for detailed carbohydrate histochemicaT nvestigations on the same glands. Moreover, some researchers had erred about the lamina muscularis mucosae. The results of these investigations are as follows.
1. The proventricular glands consist of both superficial and profound gastric glands.
2. The superficial glands are distributed in the lamina propria mucosae while the profound glands exist in the tela submucosa.
3. The superficial glands are simple, branched tubular glands. The columnar glandular cells are arranged in a simple layer and react strongly to PAS, AB (pH 2.5 and 0.5). These appear to be dark purple when they are stained with PAS-AB (pH 2.5). Some other methods have also been tried (Table 1).
4. Judging from the data 3), the superficial gastric glands contain neutral, weak and strong acids, sulfuric and acid mucopolysaccharides, sialomucin, and II and III neutral mucus type.
5. Glandulur cells in the body and basal portions of the superficial gastric glands contain a large number of fine pepsinogen granules.
6. Judging from the data of 3)-5), we believe that the superficial gastric glands are undifferentiated gastric glands and that they are same kinds of glands that are found in mammals.
7. A large number of profound gastric glands fill the tela submucosa. They are compound tubular glands, and are composed of many glandular alveoli. Their columnar glandular cells are arranged in a simple layer.
8. These glandular cells react moderately to PAS, negatively to M3 (pH 2.5 and 0.5) and PAS-AB (pH 2.5). Moreover, we observed some other reactions (Table 1).
9. Judging from the data 8), the profound gastric glands contain a small quantity of neutral polysaccharide; however, sulfuric and acid mucopolysaccharides, and type II and DI neutral mucous are found in extremely small quantities and have no sialomucin, or either weak or strong acid mucopolysaccharides.
10. The alveolar cells in the above glands contain a large number of coarse pepsinogen granules.
11. Judging from the data 8)-10), profound gastric glands possess the characteristics of differentiated gastric glands.
12. Our investigations showed that the differentiated gastric glands in many kinds of mammals (including humans) and reptiles are simple, branched tubular glands, which exist in the lamina propria mucosae. At the same time, the glands in birds are compound tubular glands which gather in the tela submucosa. Namely, the construction and region of the same glands in birds are very different from those in mammals and reptiles.
13. Some researchers believe that the profound gastric glands of fowl are in the lamina propria mucosae, while others believe that these glands exist between the two strata of the muscularis mucosae. However, both are mistaken.v14. The gastric glands in mammals (including humans) possess parietal cells, while the above-mentioned glands of birds and reptiles do not have these parietal cells.

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Lectin binding in the walls of large to medium-sized blood vessels and lymphatics in the rat thoraco-cervical region was examined histochemically. The tunica intima of the aorta and superficial cervical artery showed positive reactions with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Concanavalin A (ConA) but not with Dolichus biflorus agglutinin (DBA). The tunica media of the aorta exhibited intense WGA binding, especially on the smooth muscle cells, but the tunica media of the superficial cervical artery did not react with the lectin. Neither ConA nor DBA bound to the tunica media of the aorta and superficial cervical artery. The tunica adventitia of both arteries contained sites binding the three lectins, although DBA reactivity declined as the vascular diameter decreased. The tunica intima of the superior vena cava and azygos vein exhibited positive WGA and ConA binding, whereas DBA binding was noted on only part of the tunica intima of the superior vena cava and not on that of the azygos vein. The tunica media and tunica adventitia were reactive for all three lectins. The WGA and ConA binding sites in the tunica adventitia showed loose networks, suggesting lectin binding on connective tissue elements interlacing among smooth muscle bundles. Lectin binding sites in the walls of lymphatics exhibited an arrangement similar to those in the walls of the veins. Moreover valves protruding into the lumen showed intense WGA and ConA binding and scattered DBA binding. Three other lectins (Ulex europaeus agglutinin, peanut agglutinin, Madura pomifera) were examined, but they showed no reactions with the vessels. Thus, the differential binding of lectins on the walls of blood vessels and lymphatics of various sizes suggests the functional complexity of monosaccharide residues in the vascular walls.

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We examined the entire array of branches and the state of ramification of each branch of 144 subclavian arteries (Su) in 72 Japanese adults, and obtained the following findings. (1) The incidence of Type I -A(1) was 13.2%, the highest among the entire Su ramification. This was followed by Type I -B(1) at 9.0%, then Type I -A(2) at 6.9%, indicating considerable variation in the morphology of Su ramification. (2) Ontogenetic factors were implicated because of the existence of cases in which Su traversed the scalenus anterior muscle anteriorly (Type III: 0.7%), or was transfixed (0.7%). (3) Type 1-c was the form of thyrocervical trunk (Tic) observed with the highest incidence of 31.3%. In addition, we propose that Types a-j(that were formed from a common trunk consisting oniy of the ascending cervical artery and inferior thyroid artery, and those in which another branch was included in this common trunk: 88.9%) be called Ttc. (4) The most common type of transverse cervical artery (Tc), which is formed from a common trunk consisting of superficial and deep bramches, was found to be Type 1-a that branches from the first part of Ttc. It was observed with the highest incidence of 61.8%. Some of the superficial branches to the upper portion of the trapezius muscle that were independent and branched from Ttc(Types e, f: 2.8%), we called upper superficial branches. (5)The most frequently observed type of suprascapular artery (Ss) was Type b (38.2%), followed by Type a (25.7%), which brancbes independently from Su. We concluded that the sites at which Tc and Ss originate are the positions at which they traverse the brachial plexus (superior, transfixed to the plexus). (6) In cases in which the supreme intercostal artery (Is) and the deep cervical artery (Cp) were separate, (Types d-i excluding Type g: 31.9%), Is branched from a more proximal position than Cp.

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Detailed observations were made of the structure and microvasculature of the palatine mucous membrane of the common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) by means of the plastic injection method under a scanning electron microscope.
The findings obtained were compared with those of the Japanese monkey and other mammals. The osseous palate was flat horizontally and a pair of incisive foramina were apparently open at the anterior end of the hard palate. At the posterior end of the osseous palate, the pterygopalatine incisurae were found bilaterally. The incisive papilla was not obvious in form and size, and a pair of openings of the incisive canal were always situated on both sides of the papilla. The transverse palatine plicae or ridges numbered 7 or 8 symmetrically. They arched posterolaterally with an anterior protrusion near each median end. Posterior plicae were underdeveloped. Numerous openings of the palatine glands were found in the soft palatine mucosa. The arteries supplying the palate were the major palatine artery passing through the major palatine foramen and the soft palatine artery passing through the pterygopalatine incisura. The major palatine artery extended forwards giving off numerous medial and lateral branches, and its end on the respective side entered a small foramen located lateral to the incisive foramen. Medial and lateral branches formed the submucous arterial network. Arterioles diverging from this network were directed to the epithelial surface and formed an arterial network in the lamina propria. Further, capillaries diverging from the latter network built up the subepithelial capillary network immediately beneath the epithelium. Capillary loops sprouting from the capillary network were found in the form of a simple hair-pin without locational differences in their heights.
The microvascular architecture thus displayed some similarity with that of the Japanese monkey. However, the vascular networks in the lamina propria and submucous layer were not distinct in size and scale as compared to those of the Japanese monkey. These differences may be ralated to the stature, living environment and food habits of this species.

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The NaOH cell-maceration method was applied to the oral surface of the mouse soft palate to demonstrate the tridimensional architecture of the connective tissue papillae (CTP) of the “palatal papillae”, and of the openings of the glandular ducts. The CTP of the palatal papillae extremely differed from those of any types of the lingual papillae, and appeared as elliptical wall. Within the elliptical wall, there existed the semicircular or circular internal ridge which surrounded the round depression corresponding to the taste bud. The openings of the glandular ducts were rimmed by the collagen fibers running concentrically. Many fibrils derived from the concentrical fibers, turned to the sagittal direction and then concentrated into the sagittal fibers in the vicinity of the openings.

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The distribution of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS)-like immunoreactive neurons in the myenteric plexus of the rat alimentary tract were immunocytochemically studied using whole-mount tissues. The present study revealed ASSlike immunoreactive meshworks of ganglia and interconnecting nerve strands in the myenteric plexus of almost all parts of the alimentary tract. ASS-like immunoreactive neurons constituted about 11% of the myenteric cell.

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