an Animal Series of Embryological Models in Plaster by Meusel in Germany, circa 1900, probably Representing the Amphioxus

Twenty (20 cm high) models in plaster represented the beginning of the animal embryology. They were mounted on a wooden basis by a metallic wire. All the early models had a polar globule. The first stages of the segmentation were represented with successively : one, two, four, eight, and so on cells, then was a morula and a blastula stage with a cyst and then the gastrulation. At least, three models in a large size represented two hemi‐sections : one (33cm long) was probably an amphioxus larva with three layers dorsally and two ones ventrally ; the other one with ten big somites could be a drosophila sample ; and a frontal cross‐section with the beginning of the organogenesis. A label (L M M) on the basis corresponded to Meusel, a german craftsman which was active during two or three decades after 1900. These models could be the representation of the first embryological stages in the amphioxus or in a sea urchin which were largely studied in these times. Unfortunately the embryology even for its morphological aspects has made so much progress that these models have now only an historical interest and no more a teaching one. Support or Funding Information Brieux‐Gillot Scientific Library, 48 rue Jacob, Paris 6th. France